Taste of Food, Fun, and Fitness: A Community-Based Program to Teach Young Girls to Feel Better about Their Bodies

Abstract

Studies show that up to 30% of 9year-old girls worry about being too fat and 55% of 7 to 12 year olds express a desire to be Despite the high prevalence of poor body image and dieting in young adolescent girls, few prevention programs have targeted this age group. The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate an after-school program aimed at preventing unhealthy dieting and excessive weight preoccupation. Taste of Food, Fun, and Fitness targeted preadolescents (ages 10-12) and took the prevention program outside of the classroom, incorporating the curriculum into the Girl Scout program. This program used a nonacademic approach to teaching concepts similar to those in programs that have previously been targeted at older adolescents within school setting^.^,^ The primary objectives of the program were to develop healthful attitudes toward eating, physical activity, body image, and weight control in order to prevent unhealthy behaviors.