Researchers from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., asked overweight girls ages 9 to 13 to read an age-appropriate novel entitled "Lake Rescue." The book narrates a story of an overweight girl who worries about going on an outdoor school trip where she makes friends, enhances her self esteem and learns about various levels of physical activity.
The girls in the study were already in a comprehensive weight loss program. After six months, the researchers found that the 31 girls who read "Lake Rescue" experienced a significant decrease in their body mass index scores when compared to the other 14 girls who hadn't.
The novel is especially designed with the help of pediatric experts to focus on eating healthy and importance of physical activity in managing weight. The findings were presented the findings at the Obesity Society's annual meeting in Phoenix.
