Holistic Health Promotion for Adolescent Girls in an Alternative School Setting: Lessons Learned

• Published in: School social work journal Vol. 40; no. 1; pp. 58 - 77
• Main Authors: Saltzman, Jaclyn A., Liechty, Janet M., Badskey, Elizabeth A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago Illinois Association of School Social Workers 01.10.2015; David Follmer Group; The Follmer Group, Inc
• Subjects: Adolescents; Alternative Schools; At Risk Students; Attendance; Attention Control; Body Image; Body Weight; Community-Based Participatory Research; Cultural Relevance; Depression (Psychology); Evidence Based Practice; Females; Health Behavior; Health Curriculum; Health Education; Health Promotion; Healthy Lifestyle; Holistic Approach; Human Body; Intervention; Life Style; Nontraditional Education; Obesity; Observation; Participatory Research; Physical Activity Level; Secondary School Students; Self Concept; Self Efficacy; Student Attitudes; Trust (Psychology)
• ISSN: 0161-5653

Teens in alternative schools are at risk for sedentary behavior, overweight, and risky health behaviors; however, few studies have evaluated health interventions in these settings. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of implementing a holistic health curriculum for adolescent girls in an alternative school setting. Using a modified community-based participatory research framework, the authors adapted an evidence-based curriculum for seven adolescent girls aged thirteen to sixteen. Facilitators and barriers to implementation were identified from classroom observations, reflexive exercises with students, and key informant interviews. Building trust and rapport among students and stakeholders and making cultural adaptations to the curriculum were key facilitators of successful implementation. Absenteeism, student attentional difficulties, and time and space limitations were identified as key challenges. Overall, implementing a healthy lifestyle and body image program for adolescent girls in an alternative school setting is feasible and has high acceptability when content is adapted for cultural relevance and when the program has sufficient support from school staff and other stakeholders.