TY - JOUR
T1 - Kids in Action
T2 - The protocol of a Youth Participatory Action Research project to promote physical activity and dietary behaviour
AU - Anselma, Manou
AU - Altenburg, Teatske
AU - Chinapaw, Mai
PY - 2019/3/1
Y1 - 2019/3/1
N2 - Introduction In this study, researchers collaborate with children from a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Amsterdam in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions targeting their health behaviours. This Youth Participatory Action Research project focuses on the promotion of physical activity and healthy dietary behaviour. Methods and analysis This study is a controlled trial using participatory methods to develop interventions together with children aged 9-12 years. At four primary schools in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Amsterdam, an 'Action Team' is installed: A group of six to eight children who actively participate as co-researchers in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions. An academic researcher facilitates the participatory process. Four control schools, also located in low socioeconomic areas in and around Amsterdam, continue with their regular curriculum and do not participate in the participatory process. For the effect evaluation, physical activity and sedentary behaviour are assessed using accelerometers and self-reporting; dietary behaviour using self-reporting and motor fitness (strength, flexibility, coordination, speed and endurance) using the motor performance fitness test. Effectiveness of the interventions is evaluated by multilevel regression analysis. The process of co-creating interventions and the implemented interventions is continually evaluated during meetings of the Action Teams and with children participating in the interventions. Empowerment of children is evaluated during focus groups. Summaries and transcripts of meetings are coded and analysed to enrich children's findings. Ethics and dissemination The Medical Ethics Committee of the VU Medical Center approved the study protocol (2016.366). Trial registration number TC=6604.
AB - Introduction In this study, researchers collaborate with children from a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Amsterdam in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions targeting their health behaviours. This Youth Participatory Action Research project focuses on the promotion of physical activity and healthy dietary behaviour. Methods and analysis This study is a controlled trial using participatory methods to develop interventions together with children aged 9-12 years. At four primary schools in a low socioeconomic neighbourhood in Amsterdam, an 'Action Team' is installed: A group of six to eight children who actively participate as co-researchers in developing, implementing and evaluating interventions. An academic researcher facilitates the participatory process. Four control schools, also located in low socioeconomic areas in and around Amsterdam, continue with their regular curriculum and do not participate in the participatory process. For the effect evaluation, physical activity and sedentary behaviour are assessed using accelerometers and self-reporting; dietary behaviour using self-reporting and motor fitness (strength, flexibility, coordination, speed and endurance) using the motor performance fitness test. Effectiveness of the interventions is evaluated by multilevel regression analysis. The process of co-creating interventions and the implemented interventions is continually evaluated during meetings of the Action Teams and with children participating in the interventions. Empowerment of children is evaluated during focus groups. Summaries and transcripts of meetings are coded and analysed to enrich children's findings. Ethics and dissemination The Medical Ethics Committee of the VU Medical Center approved the study protocol (2016.366). Trial registration number TC=6604.
KW - deprived neighbourhood
KW - dietary behaviour
KW - physical activity
KW - youth participatory action research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85063676212&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025584
DO - https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025584
M3 - Article
C2 - 30928943
SN - 2044-6055
VL - 9
JO - BMJ Open
JF - BMJ Open
IS - 3
M1 - e025584
ER -