Girls in Motion

Girls in Motion

Girls in Motion™ is a non-profit organization created to address the heart of the problem surrounding obesity and eating disorders in the United States. By focusing on early education, mentoring and fitness, Girls in Motion is able to reach out to young girls ages 10 and 11 to instill positive body image and teach healthy eating and lifestyle to prevent these problems that plague 15%-20% of teenage girls.

Program Goals:
  • Build a positive body image and self esteem in young girls
  • Prevent obesity and eating disorders
  • Develop positive attitudes about food and healthy eating
  • Utilize young women as positive role models and mentors for young girls
Program Details:
  • According to a recent University of California study, 51% of 9-year-olds and 81% of 10-year-olds are experienced dieters. On the flip side, according to the Centers for Disease Control, 15-23% of children are classified as obese.
  • The prevalence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa among girls between the ages of ten and nineteen places eating disorders among the most common chronic illnesses of adolescent girls.
  • In the United States, eating disorders are more common than Alzheimer’s disease (10 million people have eating disorders compared to 4 million with Alzheimer’s disease).
  • An estimated 1,000 young women die each year of anorexia nervosa.

Girls in Motion is an eight-week program developed by Southern Methodist University (SMU) Wellness Professor Mandy Golman, M.S. and Cathey Soutter, PhD., Coordinator of Psychological Services for women at SMU.

Girls in Motion pairs together girls (ages 10 or 11) with mentors - college women from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

During the program, the pairs meet once a week for one hour on the SMU campus.

Each session consists of a group introduction of the day's topic with Girls in Motion Executive Director, Mandy Golman, pairing up with partners for exercise, discussion and a healthy snack.

The curriculum includes a cooking class at Central Market that teaches girls about nutrition and how to make easy and healthy after school snacks.

During the program, the girls work with their mentors and the executive director to set appropriate fitness goals.

At the final session, each pair sets out to accomplish a fitness goal. Upon walking or running across the finish line, the girls celebrate their success during the Girls in Motion Goal Celebration.

The parents of the young girls participating are asked to attend two evening workshops titled, "Instilling a Positive Body Image in Your Daughter" and "Healthy Eating Attitudes and Behaviors."

The girls are recruited either through an existing after school program or an advertised program sign up.

A parent and daughter orientation takes place and pre-and post- assessments are conducted with the girls.

Follow up is conducted with the girls for five years after completion of the program in order to track the impact and success of the program.

The SMU students sign up to participate either individually or as a group. After a thorough interview process, the women are required to attend an orientation and training session.

An excerpt of a letter received from a mentor:
What people are saying about Girls in Motion...

"Since my daughter turned eight she has started saying she is fat. She is ten now and I have felt that this program addressed her concerns and helped put her at ease with herself."

"This program was very professionally run. I am so pleased that my daughter was able to experience a curriculum created by university faculty."

"My daughter loved being on a college campus."

"I just got back from summer school in Italy. While I was abroad, many of the girls were complaining about their bodies and worrying about gaining weight. I realized how happy and comfortable I've become in my own body. It is a new feeling to actually like yourself. I just wanted to let you know how much this program has helped me, even though I've been trying to help the younger girls."
Girls in Motion Executive Team

Girls in Motion Executive Director, Mandy Golman, M.S., is a multi-faceted educator, trainer and consultant whose work has spanned the health spectrum to include: adolescent sexuality, nutrition, eating disorder prevention and the importance of positive body image, women's wellness and childbirth, and parenting. Currently an adjunct faculty member for the Wellness Department at Southern Methodist University (SMU), Mandy has also developed and supervised highly successful peer education programs for the school. In addition to bringing her skills to SMU, Mandy has conducted workshops and consulted for major school districts, private schools and healthcare providers. In her spare time and in an effort to lead by example, Mandy is a tennis player, marathon runner and coach to her 8-year-old daughter's and 6-year-old son's soccer teams.

Dr. Cathey Soutter, Program Consultant, is the Coordinator of Psychological Services for Women at SMU. She teaches in the Psychology Department and provides confidential counseling for students as well as programming including body image, eating disorders, sexual assault and other gender-related issues. In addition, she administers the Elisa Ruth McCall Endowment at SMU*. She has been at SMU for 17 years.

While directing SMU's annual Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Mandy Golman and Cathey Soutter gained national attention by constructing a life-size Barbie Doll on campus to reveal the famous female's unrealistic - and often strived for - body. Towering over 7 feet high with measurements of 40-22-36, Barbie made her point.

*This endowment was created by Rick and Leslie McCall, in memory of their daughter Elisa who lost her battle with bulimia, to provide eating disorder awareness and programming on campus.

Contact us at 214-709-5159 or girlsinmotion@gmail.com to find out when the next session begins!