Trial of Activity for Adolescent Girls (TAAG) is a $34 million national multi-site six-year research study (2000-2006) funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to test the effectiveness of a coordinated school and community based intervention to prevent the decline in physical activity levels of girls in middle school. Six middle schools in San Diego County (of the 36 schools nationwide) participated in this study. A two-year intervention was developed and implemented to foster school and community environments that encourage and support the full involvement of girls in every aspect of physical activity, including physical education, recreation, sports and active lifestyles. The intervention was comprised of five components:

• The Physical Education component included a staff development model that provided training, resources, and support to help Physical Education Instructors modify classes to be more active for all students.
  
• Health Education with Activity Challenges was a series of lessons designed to teach girls the knowledge and skills needed to be more active in and out of school.
  
• Programs for Physical Activity focused on extending girls' involvement in physical activity beyond the school day by developing new programs and promoting existing physically active programs at school or in community agencies.
  
• The Promotions component was designed to provide interest and incentives for girls to be more active in a multitude of settings and ways.
  
• Program Champions helped plan for and support institutionalization of TAAG intervention activities following the two-year TAAG intervention.
  

John Elder, Ph.D., MPH
Principal Investigator

Thom McKenzie, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator

Jim Sallis, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator

Terry Conway, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator

Jeanne Nichols, Ph.D.
Co-Investigator

Julie Pickrel, M.P.H.
Measurement Coordinator

Carrie Ornelas, B.A.
Administrative Assistant
Ph: 619-594-3247

9245 Sky Park Ct., Ste. 224
San Diego, CA 92123
Ph: 619-594-0588
Fax: 619-594-2998