Co-Creation Approach with Action-Oriented Research Methods to Strengthen "Krachtvoer"; A School-Based Programme to Enhance Healthy Nutrition in Adolescents.

Marion D Driessen-Willems,Stef P J Kremers,Patricia Van Assema,Nina H M Bartelink,Conny Kintzen,Kathelijne M H H Bessems

doi:10.3390/ijerph18157866

Marion D Driessen-Willems, Stef P J Kremers + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157866

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Abstract

In recent years, the nutritional pattern of the Dutch adolescent has cautiously improved. However, progress can be gained if more Dutch adolescents adhere to the nutritional guidelines. School-based initiatives offer opportunities to deal with the unhealthy eating behaviours of adolescents via nutrition educational interventions. In designing and/or re-designing school-based interventions, it is important to enhance optimal context-oriented implementation adaptation by involving the complex adaptive school system. This paper elaborates on the way of dealing with the dynamic implementation context of the educational programme “Krachtvoer” (ENG: “Power food”) for prevocational schools, how the programme can be adapted to each unique implementation context, and how the programme can be progressively kept up to date. Following a co-creation-guided approach with various intersectoral stakeholders within and outside the school setting, action-oriented mixed research methods (i.e., observations, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, programme usage monitoring, and questionnaires) constantly provide input to develop the programme and its implementation strategy via continuous micro-process cycles. Successful co-creation of school-based health promotion seems to be dependent on proper intersectoral cooperation between research and practice communities, a national partner network that can provide project-relevant insights and establish capacity building aimed at improving contextual fit, and a time-investment balance in and between sectors.

Highlights

Introduction published maps and institutional affilUnhealthy eating patterns among young people are considered a public health priority in many countries [1], including the Netherlands [2,3]
This paper describes a co-creation approach with action-oriented research methods as an engine to strengthen the Dutch nutrition educational programme “Krachtvoer”
The educational intervention is complemented by a school support programme aimed at enhancing optimal contextoriented implementation adaptation

Summary

Introduction

Introduction published maps and institutional affilUnhealthy eating patterns among young people are considered a public health priority in many countries [1], including the Netherlands [2,3]. Consuming insufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables, too many high-energy snacks and sugary drinks, and inadequate mealtime intake leads to substantial health problems such as overweight and non-communicable diseases including coronary heart disease, diabetes, and different types of cancer [4]. These unhealthy eating patterns develop at a young age and may become worse when children get older and go from primary school to secondary school [5,6,7].

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