Yan Zhang, MS, Urban Health Services, College of Health Science, Old Dominion University, 3565 Norland Court, Norfolk, VA 23513, Susan Tweed, RN, MS, Urban Services - Health, Old Dominion University, Spong Hall, Hampton Boulevard, Norfolk, VA 23529, 757 445-7236, satweed@sentara.com, and Stacey B. Plichta, ScD, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, 129 Spong Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529.

Background: This study examines how “Healthy Me”, a health promotion program paired with an organized team sport affects health behaviors of at-risk girls. Healthy Me was created to help girls ages 10-14 learn personal risk behaviors and develop fitness skills.

Approaches: A pretest/posttest design with a self-administrated questionnaire was done in the summer and fall 2003. Overall, 112 of 216 girls completed pretest/posttest information. 95% of the 112 girls are 11 or older and 75% are African-American. Changes over time are measured using the paired t-test, Wilcoxon and McNemar. Two limitations of this study are a lack of a comparison group, and no follow-up of girls who dropped out.

Findings: Most girls are tobacco free (90%) and had not initiated sexual activity (96%). An increase in fruit consumption and decrease in french fries and soda consumption was found. No changes in amount of screen time or exercise behavior were found. The majority think remaining tobacco free, regular exercise, healthy diet and abstinence will benefit them, however 18 % think smoking will help them lost weight. Smoking friends (28%) and family members (39%) are the major barriers for not smoking. Lack of availability of healthy food at school (23%) is the main barrier of a healthy diet. Most of the girls (80%) are confident they can engage in healthy behaviors.

Lesson learned: The program may contribute to prevention of poor health behaviors in a high-risk group of girls. Further research needs to employ a comparison group and a longer follow-up.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. List the concepts of Health Belief Model used in the development of survey.
• 2. Describe the “Healthy Me” Program and the implementation process of the program for at-risk adolescent girls.
• 3. Identify the evaluation methods used in analysis of the program.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Child Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.