teenage girls

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Student Number: 12110990

Teenage girls- getting them active1 was composed by the Better Health

organisation in collaboration with Physically active Australia. The literature is

presented as an objective fact sheet and is dissociated from bias. The readability of

the patient information leaflet (PIL) is fairly difficult, with a Flesch score of 52.3 and

overall discern rating of 5 points. The PIL targets two audiences. Essentially, parents

are presented with the issue of obesity among teenage Australian girls and are

subsequently urged to minimize their own daughters risk by getting her active. The

barriers to the health behaviour are noted and several suggestions geared toward

overcoming them are included as well. While the effectors are parents, the girls are

the target. This is an effective means of generating a response since parents have

such a potent effect on their childrens lives.

The composers use of excitatory diction and the continuum models made for an

efficient, inspiring leaflet.

The Tips for parents section of the PIL is modelled after the Theory of Planned

Behaviour (TPB)

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. The suggestion for parents to discuss the reasons for theavoidance of physical activity and possible solutions with their daughter is an

example of the teaching aspect. This step catalyses the re-evaluation of the

situation which may result in a new attitude toward the health behaviour on the part

of the child. Moreover, the leaflet instructs on the promotion of practicing preparatory

behaviours such as; parents watching sport with their daughters, as well as providing

a support system to aid in the integration of the health behaviour into the childs life

at present. The importance of modelling3,4 behaviours is also emphasised. Parents

are prompted to involve themselves and their daughters piers in attempt to boost

enthusiasm for physical activity. This introduces an element of classical conditioning5

whereby physical activity is re-associated with enjoyment. This improves the

likelihood of the behaviour being maintained. It also takes into consideration the

significance of social norms in behavioural patterns.

The fourth and final aspect of the TPB is evident in the Praise is important section

of the document. This section acknowledges the role of operant conditioning viapositive reinforcement

6. Congratulating the teenager and rewarding her involvement


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in physical activity aids in elevating her self-esteem and by extension, her belief that

she is capable of maintaining the health behaviour as well as her desire to do so.

It is clear that the Human Belief Model (HBM)7

is employed in the Benefits of

physical activity section which directly correlates in terms of the pros of adapting

behaviour and the motivation to do so. Similarly, the Common Barriers is a direct

representation of the cost of the behaviour. The shocking fact that obesity rates are

doubled during adolescence in the Things to remember section, serve as both a

cue to action and health motivation and is strategically positioned for maximum

effect.

The well organised PIL opens with a presentation of the problem and closes with a

summary of the content. This format keeps with the Primacy and Recency effect

theory8. The initial presentation of fact captures the attention of the reader while the

reiteration of the main points increases the likelihood of later recall. Upon

improvement, a motivational picture would be placed below the Things to remember

section for a more profound delivery. In fact, pictures would be included strategically

throughout the PIL for the purpose of advertising the health behaviour, an attempt at

classical conditioning.

In addition, the increased use of statistics would definitely improve the quality of the

PIL. Not only would this add to the credibility- since sources would have to be

quoted- but raw facts and figures may be more effective in cuing the readers into

action. The modification will increase the likelihood of the teen susceptibility to the

illness. This constitutes a more potent use of the HBM.

As noted before, the PIL as it is, functions predominantly through following the

continuum models. However, to improve on its current efficacy the Transtheoretical

Model (TTM)9

can be included. Its utilization would entail a flow chart of steps that

correlates directly to the TTM. This would present to the reader, a step-by-step

system with which to deal with the issue at hand. The model is dynamic and pertains

to anyone at any point on the way to adopting the health behaviour.

A questionnaire for parents to gauge their daughters need for additional physical

activity would be incorporated. This questionnaire would pertain mainly to the hours

of sedentary activities the teen engages in on a daily basis. The quiz would aid in


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determining the level of intervention required- relevant to the TTM- and cue readers

into action.

The pill was generally well written. Although it is a bit wordy, the language is simple.

The problem is presented, assessed and suggestions to address it are listed with the

integration of psychological theories. The selected target groups are most

appropriate for the PILs intentions. However, the suggested improvements would

increase the efficacy of the PIL by making it more interactive and comprehensive,

while increasing the readability by 3.8 points with minimal difficulty in adjustment.

teenage girls

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