COMMUNICATING WITH PRE-TEEN GIRLS ABOUT NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
This paper presents the results of focus group research conducted for the National Bone Health Campaign. The goal of the campaign is to get young girls (ages 9-12) to consume more calcium and be more physically active so that they build healthy bones and reduce their risk of osteoporosis in later life. The purpose of this research was to determine how girls think about health, healthy eating and physical activity, the social and environmental factors that affect their diet and physical activity, and the best motivators to engage girls in these topics. In addition, ethnic differences in these factors were examined. Eleven focus groups were conducted with girls ages 10-11 – two each with Native American, Hispanic, Asian, and African American girls, and three with Caucasian girls. These groups revealed that while girls associate health with good nutrition and physical activity, they have a very limited conception of these two behaviors. Further, there were important differences in girls’ attitudes towards nutrition and physical activity, and in the motivators and barriers for these two behaviors. The group discussion as well as girls’ reactions to motivational message concepts revealed a strong preference for messages that tie into values such as energy, independence and their desire to grow up to be healthy and active women. While particularly relevant for messages about nutrition and physical activity, these findings have broad implications for all public health campaigns directed at young girls.
Learning Objectives: 1. Describe pre-teen girls beliefs and attitudes about nutrition (calcium) and physical activity. 2. Describe racial and ethnic differences in nutrition (calcium) and physical activity beliefs
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.