Weighing In
Helping Girls be Healthy Today, Healthy Tomorrow

By Judy Schoenberg, Ed.M., Kimberlee Salmond, M.P.P., and Paula Fleshman, M.S. (New York, N.Y.: Girl Scouts of the USA, 2004). 34 pp.

In the last two decades, obesity rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents such that obesity is now the most chronic health problem among American children. Weighing In addresses various underlying causes leading to this epidemic of obesity and being overweight among children and adolescents and the lifestyles, culture, and behavior that have contributed to this condition.

This review also focuses on gender and cultural issues in the research, especially with regard to girls' body image. The main social environments in which girls participate are explored (school, home, etc.) as well as the significant role of media and marketing.

Actionable issues raised within Weighing In for families, youth development organizations, communities, educational institutions, and policymakers to help girls be healthy today, healthy tomorrow include:

• Programs and support systems for youth to address body image and to face pressures from media and peers
• Roles of adults, family members, and care-providers to promote healthy weight and nutrition decisions
• Ideas for communities and food-providers to work for an overall healthier environment for children.

Download the Weighing In research review (PDF, 1.7MB). For more information about the research, or to order a hard copy of the review, email the Girl Scout Research Institute or call (800) GSUSA 4 U.