Full of Ourselves

This dynamic health-and-wellness education program was developed at the Harvard Medical School by a leading clinician and an acclaimed curriculum designer. It addresses critical issues of body preoccupation and reduces risk for disordered eating in girls (grades 3–8). Emphasizing girls’ personal power and overall mental and physical well-being, Full of Ourselves contains a range of upbeat units that foster:

• Increased self and body acceptance
• Healthier eating and exercise habits
• Leadership and media literacy skills
• A range of coping skills for resisting unhealthy peer and cultural pressures

Each unit ends with a “Call to Action” to help girls translate their new-found knowledge into positive action at school, home, and in their community. Older girls are trained as peer leaders and given the opportunity to pass along their learning to younger peers.

Evaluated with more than 800 girls, this primary prevention curriculum is the first of its kind to show sustained, positive changes in girls’ body image, body satisfaction, and body esteem. Educators, health professionals, counselors, and parents will find Full of Ourselves the ideal resource for helping girls make healthy choices for themselves.

Catherine Steiner-Adair is a clinical psychologist and school consultant, Director of Eating Disorders Education and Prevention at McLean Hospital, and in the Department of Psychiatry at the Harvard Medical School. Lisa Sjostrom, a veteran teacher and curriculum writer, is a Project Director at McLean Hospital, a Research Associate at the Harvard Medical School, and the Director of Helping Kids Thrive, an educational consulting firm.

”This work would be a valuable addition to the repertoire of any school system, church-based program, or community organization seeking to strengthen girls to become independent, healthy adolescents.”

—Contemporary Psychology

“This well-reasoned, carefully researched, and creative approach to teaching girls lifelong wellness could change the world for the Ophelias of America. Its authors offer educators that most useful of gifts—practical, immediate help.”
Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia and Hunger Pains

“This curriculum captures the spirit of the new research on girls and translates it into clear, well paced, sensible, and fun activities that honor girls' intelligence. Everyone invested in girls' health and development will want to read it. I cannot recommend it more highly to schools.”
— Carol Gilligan, Professor, New York University and author of In A Different Voice and The Birth of Pleasure

“Full of Ourselves tosses a life jacket to girls, their parents, and educators. It provides step-by-step lessons that succeed in empowering and engaging girls to take control. At the end of the program girls are the winners.”
Meg Milne Moulton and Whitney Ransome, Executive Directors, National Coalition of Girls' Schools, Concord, MA

“Finally, an effective and fun program to empower girls! Full of Ourselves impacts girls' bodies, minds, and spirits in a positive and preventative manner. Itshould be a rite of passage for all middle school girls!”
Mary Orear, Executive Director, Mainely Girls, Camden, ME

“This interactive program is a must for those who work with adolescent girls.”
Nancy Beardall, Wellness and Prevention Counselor, Newton Public Schools, Newton, MA

“Full of Ourselves is an essential tool for anyone who works with girls and young women. It's thoughtful, nuanced, and creative.”
Rosalind Wiseman, Co-Founder of The Empower Program and author of Queen Bees & Wannabes

Parent’s Guide
School Guide