Web Site Just for Girls

Last Updated: Oct. 1, 2003

What can I do to get rid of pimples?
My best friend started smoking.
I feel stressed out about school.

Girls pre-teen through high school have lots of things on their minds. As a source of credible and helpful information, www.4girls.gov is a Web site worth checking out.

The Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health (OWH) recently launched the Web site, www.4girls.gov, to encourage adolescent girls to choose healthy behaviors.

The site, part of HHS’ National Women's Health Information Center, provides girls ages 10-16 with information on fitness, nutrition, stress management, relationships with friends and family, peer pressure, suicide, drugs, self-esteem, and other topics in an interactive, user-friendly format.

The 4girls Web site includes six sections:

Becoming a Woman answers the questions girls might be afraid to ask about changes to their bodies, the menstrual cycle, and grooming and hygiene. From breast growth and body hair to acne and hair care tips, this section addresses the issues that concern girls the most as they approach and transition into puberty.

Fit for Life provides girls with the tools to develop an exercise plan that is enjoyable, safe, and long lasting. Highlights include an online fitness questionnaire, tips on strength training, information on avoiding exercise-related injuries, and advice on how to keep exercise interesting.

You Are What You Eat helps girls make healthy food choices by providing important nutrition information on serving sizes, vitamins and nutrients, reading food labels, eating out, maintaining a healthy weight, and vegetarianism.

Mind over Matters discusses different sources of stress for girls and describes some healthy ways to cope. This section also includes a Q & A section on related topics such as self-injury and teen suicide.

Choosing Not to Use presents the hard facts about tobacco, alcohol, and drug abuse in a user-friendly question and answer format.

Putting It All Together focuses on the physical, mental, and social health of girls by addressing stress management, relationships with family and friends, self esteem, body image, peer pressure, self-protection, and planning for the future.

The site also features a Parent/Caregiver section that provides lists of publications, organizations, and Web sites they can use to help address the issues that face adolescent girls.

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