Girls on the Run: improvements in self-esteem, body size satisfaction and eating attitudes/behaviors.

A pilot assessment of a curriculum-based running program geared for girls 8-12 years old (n=322) was implemented to assess influences regarding psychological risk factors leading to disordered eating among girls who participate in sports. Utilizing a pretest/posttest study design, researchers administered questionnaires in pre-program session T(1), and post-program T(2). Statistical tests on self-esteem (t=-10.628, p<0.05), body size satisfaction (t=4.359, p<0.05), and eating attitudes/behaviors (t=4.806, p<0.05) revealed statistically significant improvements from baseline to post program. A sport-training program supplemented with a wellness curriculum may be an effective primary prevention program for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors.