2008-10-06 21:13:02 -
www.beaconstreetgirls.com - For Beacon Street Girls Bobbie Carlton, 781-863-8228 ext 201 bcarlton@btweenproductions.com A new study from Duke Children's Hospital indicates the Beacon Street Girls' popular book series helps tween girls improve their eating and exercise habits, and significantly improve their Body Mass Index (BMI) percentiles. The study was presented over the weekend at the
Obesity Society annual scientific meeting.
The most recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2003-2004) shows that approximately 18 percent of children aged 6 to 19 years old are overweight. The Beacon Street Girls brand was specifically designed to entertain while providing healthy role models and positive messages.
"We are extremely proud to be associated with this important study, as well as delighted that our dedication to quality media had a concrete impact on the health of a group of young girls," said Addie Swartz, CEO, B*tween Productions, Inc., the home of the Beacon Street Girls. "This study confirms what we had previously heard from parents - that girls take life lessons from the Beacon Street Girls and actually change their behaviors." Study Overview and Findings
The study, Can Children's Literature Promote Healthy Lifestyles?, tested whether an age-appropriate novel can improve BMI as well as exercise and nutrition-related knowledge and behaviors in tween girls enrolled in a childhood obesity treatment program. A group of overweight and obese girls enrolled in The Duke Healthy Lifestyles Program read Lake Rescue, the sixth book in the Beacon Street Girls 18-book series, or Charlotte in Paris, one of the Beacon Street Girls special adventure books. A control group was not given a book.
Lake Rescue tells the story of an overweight girl whose adventures help her learn the importance of appropriate nutrition and exercise. The book was developed in consultation with five healthy lifestyle experts. Charlotte in Paris features the Beacon Street characters and signature positive messages designed to promote self-esteem but does not directly address weight issues.
According to the study, girls who read either Beacon Street Girls book as part of the program decreased their BMIs more significantly than other girls in the study. After 6 months, researchers found the girls who read Lake Rescue experienced a significant decrease in their Body Mass Index (BMI), when compared to girls who hadn't read the book. (Because kids are still growing, BMI is the most accurate measure of a healthy weight.) Surprisingly, the Charlotte in Paris readers also had positive results, losing more than non-readers but not as much as Lake Rescue readers. The only other proven and effective strategies for adolescent weight loss today involve medication, surgery or other invasive techniques. Online World Provides Another Avenue to Reach Girls with Positive Messages
Both the books and the Beacon Street Girls website help girls grapple with issues they face as adolescents. The online world of the Beacon Street Girls provides a friendly format for receiving the most up-to-date advice and guidance from leading experts in adolescence. These experts also work with B*tween to cover a variety of tween-specific issues, including body image, online safety, diet and healthy lifestyles. Book "extras" from Lake Rescue are available online, including "Healthy You" recipes, lifestyle and exercise tips.
The Beacon Street Girls' safe social network is modeled on a virtual junior high, complete with lockers to decorate and personalize, and a myriad of online activities designed to satisfy tweens' ever-growing need to create and communicate with each other. Tied to the literary world of the award-winning Beacon Street Girls, now published by Simon & Schuster, the free online club provides a fun and excitement for preteen girls around the globe. And like the books, its positive and healthy messages help girls feel empowered to be their best selves.
The Beacon Street Girls world and Club BSG can be found online at
www.beaconstreetgirls.com Beacon Street Girls books are available wherever books are sold.
-- Popular Series for Preteen Girls Has Significant Positive
Impact on Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI); Helps Teach Tweens Healthy
Habits --
