GIRLFRIENDS FOR KEEPS
OVERVIEW
Girlfriends for KEEPS was an after-school program designed to prevent obesity among African-American girls. In a random assignment study, girls assigned to participate in the Girlfriend for KEEPS intervention were compared with girls assigned to a control group. At the twelve-week follow-up, girls who had been assigned to participate in the Girlfriends for KEEPS intervention did not differ significantly from girls assigned to the control group on measures of physical activity, dietary intake, or body mass index (BMI). Intervention girls did score significantly higher than control girls on measures of healthy choice behavioral intentions, diet knowledge, and preference for physical activity, however. Intervention girls were more likely than control girls to be participating in moderate weight-monitoring behaviors, but were also more likely to be participating in unhealthy weight-monitoring behaviors.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
Target population: African-American girls, aged 8-10
Girlfriends For KEEPS (Keys to Eating, Exercising, Playing, and Sharing) was an after-school program designed to prevent obesity among African-American girls. The program was based on social cognitive theory and sought to impact girls’ levels of physical activity and girls’ dietary habits.
The program met twice a week, for one hour after school, for twelve weeks. Each meeting included culturally-appropriate, hands-on activities that related to a weekly health behavior message. Meetings also included physical activities such as double-dutch, step aerobics, and hip hop dancing. Healthy snacks (sometimes prepared by the girls) and bottled water were made available at every meeting. Girls were provided with transportation home after meetings and received incentives for program attendance.
Additionally, the program had family components. Participating girls were regularly provided with “take home packs” that contained snacks, tip sheets, and refrigerator magnets for their families. Families were also given the opportunity to participate in two family nights that included informative presentations, active games, and goal-setting activities. Program staff phoned families to check on their progress towards goals set at family nights and led families on Saturday health hikes. Part of the goal of this pilot program was to assess program take-up and acceptability.
EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM
Story, M., Sherwood, N. E., Himes, J. H.,
Evaluated population: 54 African-American girls from
three schools in
Approach: Gils were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or the control group. Girls assigned to the intervention group took part in a twelve-week implementation of Girlfriends for KEEPS. The intervention was led by African-American staff who received training on the program. Girls assigned to the control group took part in three meetings that focused on self-esteem and cultural enrichment. All girls were assessed at baseline and, again, immediately upon completion of the twelve-week intervention period.
Results: At the twelve-week follow-up, girls who had been assigned to participate in the Girlfriends for KEEPS intervention did not differ significantly from girls assigned to the control group on measures of physical activity, dietary intake, or body mass index (BMI). However, intervention girls did score significantly higher than control girls on measures of healthy choice behavioral intentions, diet knowledge, and preference for physical activity. Intervention girls were more likely than control girls to be participating in moderate weight-monitoring behaviors, but they were also more likely to be participating in unhealthy weight-monitoring behaviors. Parent-reported changes were similarly uneven, e.g., a small reduction in high fat foods, but a number of non-significant variables as well. However, the program was viewed favorably and was well-attended.
SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
Curriculum materials unavailable for purchase.
References:
Story, M., Sherwood, N. E., Himes, J. H.,
Program categorized in this guide according to the following:
Evaluated participant ages: 8-11
Evaluated participant grades:
Program age ranges in the guide: Middle childhood
Program components: School-based, parent or family component
Measured outcomes: physical health
Keywords: Middle Childhood (6-11), Children (3-11), School-based, gender-specific (female only), African American or Black, Elementary, Physical Health, obesity, nutrition, life skills training.
Program information last updated on 9/19/07.
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© Child Trends 2003 |
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