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Some Sad Facts For Today's Girls:
- Three million young Americans seriously considered suicide in 2000 and of those, over 1 million actually tried to kill themselves.
- Girls were twice as likely as boys to report contemplating suicide.
- Body dissatisfaction and dietary restraint are predictors of depression in girls.
- Almost two-thirds of girls in 5th-12th grades are dissatisfied with their body shape and want to lose weight.
- Girls as young as five form negative self-images based on their weight.
- Among girls, an emphasis on popularity and slimness along with increased television viewing are linked to low self-esteem.
But here Is Some Good News:
- Girls who participate in physical activities are 40% less likely to smoke, have higher levels of self-esteem, better body images, and lower levels of depression.
- Girls who have experienced emotional trauma respond positively to physical fitness programs.
- Girls who participate in physical activities are less likely to engage in risky sexual behavior during adolescence.
- Girls who participate in physical exercise have better relationships with parents, get better grades, are less likely to use drugs and are less depressed than girls who don't.
And The Best News? If She's Involved With Girls On The Run:
- she has higher self-esteem;**
- she has improved eating attitudes;**
- she has an improved body image;** and
- she has a positive peer group and positive role models for her future.
**According to research conducted by Dr. Rita DeBate, Ph.D., MPH, CHES, Associate Professor in the Department of Community and Family Health at the University of South Florida, Tampa, the Girls on the Run Curricula improve girls self-esteem, body image and eating attitudes to a "statistically significant" extent.
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Girls on the Run helps make happy girls!
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