Soy intervention in adolescent girls: design and implementation

The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of implementing a soy intervention in female adolescents. Twenty girls, ages 8 to 14, were recruited to consume 1 daily serving of soymilk or soy nuts. They also provided 9 weekly urine samples over a 2-month period. Information about the study foods and procedures was collected through post-study questionnaires. Adherence to the intervention was successful using strategies that addressed both girls' and mothers' needs. The use of conveniently packaged soy foods, activities to maintain motivation, and frequent contact maintained participation. Future studies should also consider the maturity and sense of responsibility of participants to achieve compliance.