Empower U: effectiveness of an adolescent outreach and prevention program with sixth-grade boys and girls: a pilot study
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Updated: May 23, 2026

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Sharon Dowdy1, Maria Alvarado, Olive Atieno
1School of Nursing, Belmont University, Nashville, TN, USA.
Abstract:
Sixth graders are at a prime age to modify behaviors and beliefs regarding exercise, nutrition, body image, and smoking. Empower U was created to change knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors regarding these topics. This pilot study utilized pre/post assessments of 58 sixth graders from a private middle school in the midsouth. Results showed a significant increase in self-esteem as well as in exercise and nutrition knowledge and beliefs at posttest and a significant increase in body image as well as in self-reported exercise and nutrition behaviors at the 1-month follow-up. Empower U provides nurses with an effective educational program that may be useful in positively impacting health behaviors.
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