SYMPOSIUM GIRLS AND PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: MULTIETHNIC YOUTH STUDIES IN SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SETTINGS

Abstract

801 This symposium is to present findings from five research studies involving physical activity interventions for children and adolescents with a focus on girls. The objectives of the symposium are to 1) present the design and measurement methodology being used in these youth prevention studies; 2)review findings from the studies with a special focus on gender comparisons; and 3) discuss the implications for interventions to meet the needs of girls from diverse ethnic groups as well as future needs in measurement and research. Following introductory remarks, Dr. Pate will present cohort I data from the Lifestyle Education for Activity Project (LEAP) involving ninth grade girls (35% African-American) from 24 high schools in South Carolina. LEAP is testing the effectiveness of a school-based intervention to increase physical activity and fitness. Dr. McKenzie will compare baseline physical activity levels of girls and boys in the Middle School Physical Activity and Nutrition (M-SPAN) trial being conducted in 24 San Diego middle schools. Dr. Stone will present total daily activity minutes and types of activity for ethnically diverse fifth graders from 96 CATCH schools (CA, LA, MN, TX). Dr. Robinson will report baseline and year one and two results from an ethnically diverse students from 13 northern California elementary schools in the Stanford Obesity Presentation in Pre Adolescent (OPRrA) trial. Dr. Resnicow will report preliminary results from Go Girls, an intervention designed for inner-city (public housing) overweight African-American females to improve both diet and physical activity patterns.