TY - JOUR
T1 - A mediation analysis of the ATHENA intervention for female athletes
T2 - Prevention of athletic-enhancing substance use and unhealthy weight loss behaviors
AU - Ranby, Krista W.
AU - Aiken, Leona S.
AU - Mackinnon, David
AU - Elliot, Diane L.
AU - Moe, Esther L.
AU - McGinnis, Wendy
AU - Goldberg, Linn
PY - 2009/1
Y1 - 2009/1
N2 - ObjectiveTo explain, through mediation analyses, the mechanisms by which ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives), a primary prevention and health promotion intervention designed to deter unhealthy body shaping behaviors among female high school athletes, produced immediate changes in intentions for unhealthy weight loss and steroid/creatine use, and to examine the link to long-term follow-up intentions and behaviors.MethodsIn a randomized trial of 1668 athletes, intervention participants completed coach-led peer-facilitated sessions during their sport season. Participants provided pre-test, immediate post-test, and 9-month follow-up assessments.ResultsATHENA decreased intentions for steroid/creatine use and intentions for unhealthy weight loss behaviors at post-test. These effects were most strongly mediated by social norms and self-efficacy for healthy eating. Low post-test intentions were maintained 9 months later and predicted subsequent behavior. ConclusionsATHENA successfully modified mediators that in turn related to athletic-enhancing substance use and unhealthy weight loss practices. Mediation analyses aid in the understanding of health promotion interventions and inform program development.
AB - ObjectiveTo explain, through mediation analyses, the mechanisms by which ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives), a primary prevention and health promotion intervention designed to deter unhealthy body shaping behaviors among female high school athletes, produced immediate changes in intentions for unhealthy weight loss and steroid/creatine use, and to examine the link to long-term follow-up intentions and behaviors.MethodsIn a randomized trial of 1668 athletes, intervention participants completed coach-led peer-facilitated sessions during their sport season. Participants provided pre-test, immediate post-test, and 9-month follow-up assessments.ResultsATHENA decreased intentions for steroid/creatine use and intentions for unhealthy weight loss behaviors at post-test. These effects were most strongly mediated by social norms and self-efficacy for healthy eating. Low post-test intentions were maintained 9 months later and predicted subsequent behavior. ConclusionsATHENA successfully modified mediators that in turn related to athletic-enhancing substance use and unhealthy weight loss practices. Mediation analyses aid in the understanding of health promotion interventions and inform program development.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Educational interventions
KW - Health promotion and prevention
KW - LLongitudinal research
KW - Mediation analysis.
KW - Peers
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=70450202100&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=70450202100&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsp025
DO - 10.1093/jpepsy/jsp025
M3 - Article
C2 - 19386771
AN - SCOPUS:70450202100
SN - 0146-8693
VL - 34
SP - 1069
EP - 1083
JO - Journal of Pediatric Psychology
JF - Journal of Pediatric Psychology
IS - 10
ER -