Abstract

Low self-esteem is problematic for many adolescent girls in today’s culture and society. Self-esteem can be improved, however, through various interventions and programs involving mentorship and/or physical activity. BIO Girls founders created a program involving mentorship, physical activity, and life lessons. The purpose of this study is to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and self-esteem of BIO (Beautiful Inside and Out) Girls participants, in order to determine program effectiveness. BIO Girls is a curriculum-based mentorship and physical activity program for girls 7–12 years old. Utilizing a pre-test/post-test study design, researchers administered questionnaires (KINDL-R: Revised questionnaire to assess Health-Related Quality of Life in children and adolescents) in a pre-program session and post-program to each girl participant (n = 169) and a parent (n = 159) across eight site locations. Paired sample statistical analysis revealed significant improvements on girls’ total survey score from pre- to post- program (t = -16.14, p < 0.001; physical well-being (t = -15.85, p < 0.001), emotional well-being (t = -18.64, p < 0.001), family life (t = -12.11, p < 0.001), and school life (t = -10.26, p <0.001). Results of the parent surveys revealed significant improvements on total survey score (t = -28.83, p < 0.00)1), physical well-being (t = -28.59, p <0.001), emotional well-being (t = -33.50, p < 0.001), self-esteem (t = -6.41, p < 0.00)1), family life (t = -11.99, p < 0.001), and school life (t = -20.50, p < 0.001). Repeated measures ANOVA revealed no main effects for age or site location on survey scores. Participation in a curriculum-based physical activity program resulted in positive improvements in quality of life and overall well-being.