<p> Girls in early adolescence today face numerous challenges to their positive and successful growth into happy, productive, and powerful women. These challenges may include peer pressure, racism, family issues, school navigation, and poor self-image. The purpose of this action research study was to examine the potential of a weekly wellness program for girls in the 5th through 8th grades. Research was conducted with 13 early adolescent girls utilizing interviews, observations, and participant journal reflections and incorporating interactive lessons and physical activity. In particular, the research examined how lessons with a focus on the effects of healthy behavior positively affected the participants. Participants were encouraged to reflect on experiences and individual challenges, and were taught strategies that allowed them to connect the mitigation of those challenges to the physical activities they participated in. Results indicated 3 areas of importance among all participants: having connections with individuals in their life, understanding a sense of wellness and maintaining that wellness through the challenges presented to them, and creating and reaching new goals in life. Classroom educators, social workers, recreation managers, and planners are encouraged to foster and implement wellness programs that include physical, nutritional, social, and emotional education for early adolescent girls in all communities.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:10117897 |
| Date | 13 July 2016 |
| Creators | Buchanan Farmer, Melani |
| Publisher | California Institute of Integral Studies |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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