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Published on: January 28, 2020
SPLASH Into Fitness: A Swimming-Based Pilot Intervention to Promote Healthful Identities and Behaviors Among
Eydie N Kramer-Kostecka1, Beth A Lewis, Daheia J Barr-Anderson
1Author Affiliations: Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Dr Kramer-Kostecka); and School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (Drs Lewis and Barr-Anderson).
Background:
Girls' physical activity and healthful eating behaviors decline throughout adolescence. These trajectories may be linked to the underdevelopment of exercise and healthful eater identities. Youth programs might consider prioritizing identity development as an innovative health promotion strategy, especially during the formative preadolescent life stage.
Objectives:
This study examines healthful identities and behaviors among a sample of preadolescent girls who participated in SPLASH, a multicomponent youth program consisting of identity development ("I am an exerciser"; "I am a healthy eater"), physical activity, and healthful eating.
Methods:
SPLASH was piloted in a community-based recreational facility in the Midwest United States. Participants had differing levels of program access: all girls (N = 32, age = 10.6 ± 0.8) attended a 1-week summer day camp, and a subset (n = 16) received supplementary access to a 10-week eHealth program. Using a feasibility framework, we examined SPLASH's (1) preliminary efficacy, (2) implementation, and (3) acceptability.
Results:
Girls' exercise identities and behaviors improved following camp participation. At follow-up, those in the camp-plus-eHealth group reported greater improvements in physical activity enjoyment relative to girls in the camp-only group.
Conclusions:
SPLASH is a promising identity-focused health promotion program for preadolescent girls. Community support and family engagement facilitated this pilot study. Programmatic impact should be assessed in additional communities.
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