The ATHENA Curriculum
Initiative Description: The ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise & Nutrition Alternatives) program is a sport team-based harm reduction and health promotion program. The curriculum was delivered during eight 45-minute team meetings, scheduled at the coach’s discretion and int
Study Results: Reductions occurred in intentions toward the future use of diet pills (P<.05), vomiting to lose weight (P<.05), and use of tobacco (P<.05) and muscle-building supplements (P<.005). The program’s curriculum components were altered appropriately (controlling mood [P<.005], refusal skills [P = .05], belief in the media [P<.005], and perceptions of closest friends’ body-shaping drug use [P<.001]).
Reference: Elliot, D. L., Goldberg, L., Moe, E. L., DeFrancesco, C. A., Durham, M. B., Hix-Small, H. (2004). Preventing substance use and disordered eating: Initial outcomes of the ATHENA (Athletes Targeting Healthy Exercise and Nutrition Alternatives) Program. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 158(11), 1043–1049. doi:10.1001/archpedi.158.11.1043
Level of Evidence: Very Good