WEDNESDAY, Nov. 3, 2004 (HealthDayNews) -- Eating disorders and the use of body-shaping drugs among female high school athletes can be reduced through a peer-led, sport team-centered program called ATHENA.
So finds an Oregon Health & Science University study in the November issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.
ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives) promotes healthy nutrition and exercise training as alternatives to harmful dieting behavior by young female athletes.
Sports teams offer a natural setting for efforts to educate teens about eating disorders and drug use, the study noted.
The research team evaluated the eight-week ATHENA program among 928 female students at 18 high schools. The ATHENA curriculum (45 minutes per week) was incorporated into teams' regular practice schedules. The program included information about healthy sport nutrition, effective training, drug use, depression prevention and media images of women.
The girls who took part in ATHENA reported significantly less ongoing new use of diet pills and less use of amphetamines, anabolic steroids and sports supplements. They also reported increased seatbelt use and reduced sexual activity.
Changes in healthy eating habits, and reductions in plans to use diet pills in the future, vomiting to lose weight, and tobacco use, were also seen among the girls who took part in the program.
More information
The Nemours Foundation has more about teen body image and self esteem.
