A pilot programme aims to tackle low levels of physical activity amongst teenage girls with a range of activities including tai chi and yoga, writes Theresa Judge
A pilot programme aimed at tackling low levels of physical activity amongst teenage girls is to be expanded in the north west.
"Girls Active" was run on a pilot basis in 11 schools last year and, from this month, is to be extended to a total of 19 schools in counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.
Official health reports have identified the need to increase teenage girls' participation in physical activity as a priority.
Research found that 21 per cent of girls aged 15 to 17 participate in exercise less than once a week, compared to 6 per cent of boys. One in five girls do not participate in any exercise most weeks, compared to one in 20 boys.
These findings, from the Irish Health Behaviour in Schoolchildren survey (2002), confirm the need for specific action to be taken to address the problem, according to Máire McCallion of the North Western Health Board.
"Being active is crucial for girls' overall development," she said. "We know that it can lead to increased self-esteem and to a more positive body image. There are physical benefits for them both now and in the future, and there are also benefits for their social and emotional development."
McCallion said there was also clear evidence of the ill-effects of not taking regular exercise. "There is increasing evidence that it can lead to obesity and to a higher incidence of diabetes and also some evidence that those who engage in regular activity are less likely to smoke," she added.
As part of the programme, teenage girls from schools in the north west were given the opportunity to identify the barriers preventing them from taking part in regular activity and to play a role in choosing activities for themselves.
As a result, dance, swimming, yoga, tai chi, kickboxing and aerobics were among the activities organised on a weekly basis. These took place outside of school time.
"Consultations with Teenage Girls on Being and Getting Active" is a report based on discussions with 10 focus groups.
The barriers identified included a lack of variety in extra-curricular activities and too much emphasis on competitive team sports. Boys participating in activities, or being watched by boys, was also found to prevent girls from taking part in physical exercise.
"Limited options were felt to exist in both PE and extra-curricular programmes in schools. Most notably, there was strong feeling expressed that boys dominated the choice of activities and that their sports received a greater level of support and resources," the report states.
Girls reported that boys' activities got more recognition and they also said that in the transition from primary to second-level school, the emphasis changed from enjoyment to competition.
McCallion says that what emerged was a "vicious circle" in relation to body image. While girls understood that taking part in regular exercise would help them maintain a healthy body weight, those with a negative body image, or those lacking in confidence in relation to activity, were too self-conscious to participate.
The Girls Active programme is run by the North Western Health Board, in conjunction with local sports partnerships in Donegal and Sligo which are funded by the Irish Sports Council. A local organisation, Youth Sport West, is also involved.
Initially a co-ordinating teacher in each of the schools receives specific training and together with the school's PE teacher, they identify the girls who should be encouraged to take part.
The girls are involved in choosing activities and are also encouraged to take on some of the organisation themselves, such as finding instructors or coaches.
Some girls from each of the schools are also given leadership training. Teacher training takes place in September and special "taster sessions" are being organised to help the girls decide what activities they would like to pursue.
The programme is run separately from PE classes as these are part of the curriculum and are the responsibility of the Department of Education.
The report recommended that PE teachers be supported "in delivering a varied and comprehensive PE programme to all students" and said the lack of qualified PE teachers in some schools and PE timetabling in others "warrants further examination".
One of the co-ordinating teachers, Julie Leonard from Coláiste Cholmcille in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal, said it had proved very successful.
"Some of them were reluctant initially, because they were the type of students who wouldn't easily get involved in things, but within a few weeks they were inquiring about what activities they could do next," she says.
She said it was interesting that, while girls initially thought they would prefer slower activities like tai chi and yoga, often they surprised themselves by getting most enjoyment out of more energetic ones, such as modern dance. And they are getting more adventurous.
"This year now they want to try surfing, so there's a lot of things we have to do!
"But it's a marvellous programme. The only thing is, I think some of the boys would benefit from it too."