Perceptions of masculinity and femininity influence behaviors and can be identified in young children and adolescents (Brannon, 2004). Thus, adolescents’ engagement in health risk or promoting behaviors is influenced by perceptions of masculinity and femininity and the differences in expectations, norms and responsibilities for girls and boys (WHO, 2007). Girls and boys have different needs, and gender-based interventions that consider similarities as well as differences are needed. A gender-based nutrition and sexual health promotion program was developed and piloted by the Philadelphia Ujima Coalition in a high school setting. To explore the gender differences in adolescents’ perceptions of the influence of gender norms on weight, nutrition, physical activity, and sexual health and the implication of these differences in future gender-integrated health promotion programming for youth, a content analysis of student and facilitator debriefing forms were implemented for the participating schools. The content analysis was used to identify central themes, concepts gained, and overall impact of the intervention sessions. Overall, gender norms influence healthy eating practices and activity through influencing perceptions of body type in adolescents. Gender norms also influence sexual activity and decision making through influencing perceptions of beauty, masculinity, femininity, pressures and popular concepts related to sexual activity. Thus, interventions that address gender may more effectively promote health and wellness in adolescents.
Gender defines the perceived roles, expectations, responsibilities and opportunities for females and males and is influenced by familial, cultural, economic and other variables (WHO, 2007). Gender stereotypes represent beliefs about physical traits and psychological characteristics of males and females (Brannon, 2004). Furthermore, perceptions of masculinity and femininity influence behaviors and can be identified in young children and adolescents (Brannon, 2004). Thus, adolescents’ engagement in health risk or promoting behaviors is influenced by perceptions of masculinity and femininity and the differences in expectations, norms and responsibilities for girls and boys (WHO, 2007). Girls and boys have different needs and gender-based interventions that consider similarities as well as differences are needed.
In 2011, The Philadelphia Ujima Coalition for a Healthier Community was funded by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health to improve the health and wellness of girls, women and their families living in underserved and vulnerable communities using a community-centered, gender framework for health promotion programming. The Coalition comprised over 20 health, wellness, educational, community, social service, research and faith-based organizations who partnered to develop a collaborative network with a shared commitment to health. Using a community participatory approach to health education and promotion, the Ujima Coalition developed a gender-integrated health promotion intervention that addresses nutrition, physical fitness, sexual health and healthy relationships in a high school-based setting implemented for both adolescent males and females.
Therefore, the purpose of this research was to explore adolescents’ perceptions of the influence of gender norms on nutrition (healthy eating), fitness, and sexual health practices and the implication of these perceptions in future gender-integrated health promotion programming for youth. The lessons learned were developed to guide the implementation and evaluation of future gender integrated health promotion programming for adolescents.
