It’s a growing problem. Obesity in girls is occurring at younger ages and can be a challenging problem to treat unless a child is motivated to change her eating habits and increase her activity level. Too many soft drinks and fast food and too little exercise is being blamed for this growing epidemic. A new approach to help overweight girls lose weight was discussed in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics this month – a novel way to motivate and inspire overweight girls to make healthy lifestyle changes – while encouraging them to read at the same time.

In this study, a group of overweight girls was given a book to read that highlighted an overweight character who changes her lifestyle and successfully goes on to lose weight by practicing good nutritional and exercise habits. Another group was given a book with an overweight character who didn’t attempt to change her lifestyle or lose weight. A third group was given no book at all.

Two months after the overweight girls had completed the books, researchers measured their BMI or body mass index. The results? The girls who read the book about the protagonist who lost weight by eating healthy and exercising had lowered their BMI significantly more than the group who read the other book. Surprisingly, girls who read either of the two books reduced their BMI more than the group who did no reading.

Why did the girls who read about a character who was overweight lower their BMI more? It’s like that the girls identified with the character and her struggles to lose weight. By seeing that her efforts to lose weight by making healthy lifestyle changes was successful, an overweight girl might be more motivated to make changes in her own life.

Why did the overweight girls who read the book about the overweight character who didn’t address the issue of weight also lose weight? Again, the girls may have identified with the character which could have called more attention to their own weight problem and the need to make positive changes.

What does all of this mean when it comes to obesity in girls? Giving overweight girls access to books that have positive, inspiring role models that they can identify with who successfully lose weight may help them address their own weight control issues. This not only encourages them to read, but may have the added benefit of helping them lose weight.  

Filed under: Fitness

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