A little inspiration can go a long way. Duke University researchers put the old adage to test when they gave a book with a weight-management storyline to overweight girls. The girls -- ranging from age nine to 13 -- who read the book were slightly more successful at managing their weight than girls who didn't read the book.

The book, Lake Rescue, is part of the Beacon Street Girls series. In the book, a girl is concerned about going on an outdoor school trip. During the trip, however, she builds self-esteem and learns about appropriate levels of physical activity.

Though the weight loss results for those who read the book may have only been slightly better than for those who didn't read it, any small improvement is beneficial in my opinion. Positive inspiration is so important -- especially for young girls who are confronted with unrealistically thin actors, unattainable (air-brushed) perfection on magazine pages, and other images that are potentially damaging to their self-esteem every day.

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