Health Education

The usability of medicine education assignments for seven to nine year-old children : Table of Contents

Katri Hämeen-Anttila, Leena Honkanen, Kirsti Vainio — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – A medicine education web site was developed during a research project in 2002–2004 to help teachers in primary and junior secondary schools to teach children the proper use of medicines. However, there was a need to develop further the assignments for the youngest schoolchildren. The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of three medicine education assignments created for seven to nine year-old children, and to describe how children experienced them. Design/methodology/approach – Triangulation of two methods was used: ten observed lessons and eight focus group discussions (FGD) with children (n=46). Two researchers observed medicine education lessons given by four primary school teachers. After these lessons, the children were interviewed in focus group discussions. Findings – Teachers used the assignments in various ways. It became clear in the observations that the children enjoyed the assignments and that they did not feel embarrassed about the topics discussed. During the FGDs, they discussed topics related to learning objectives generally in a good and extensive way. Moreover, the children remembered the main messages to be learnt. Originality/value – The medicine education assignments developed for seven to nine year-old children are useful and feasible, and furthermore, they are flexible and can be used in different situations with different groups of children.

Adolescents' perceptions of healthy eating and communication about healthy eating : Table of Contents

Kara Chan, Gerard Prendergast, Alice Grønhøj, Tino Bech-Larsen — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore Chinese adolescents' perceptions of healthy eating, their perceptions of various socializing agents shaping their eating habits, and their opinions about various regulatory measures which might be imposed to encourage healthy eating. Design/methodology/approach – Four focus group interview sessions were conducted with 22 eighth and ninth grade adolescents (aged 13 to 15) in Hong Kong. Findings – The participants perceived a balanced diet and regular meal times as the most important attributes of healthy eating. Participants were most likely to eat unhealthy food at parties, during festivals, and when socializing. They reported that mothers and teachers often advise them to eat healthy foods. They felt that banning the sale of soft drinks in schools and at sports centers and/or increasing the price of soft drinks might discourage their consumption, but felt that banning soft drink advertisements and/or making free drinking water more available would be ineffective. Research limitations/implications – The interviewees were mostly from low to middle income families. They may not be representative of all adolescents in Hong Kong or elsewhere, thus limiting the generalisabilty of the findings. Originality/value – The study serves as a guideline for social services marketing professionals targeting adolescents. Social services marketers might consider influencing adolescents' eating habits through the parents and school teachers. Restricting selling of soft drinks at schools and sports centers and increasing the price of soft drinks should be considered, as these were considered relatively more effective than other measures. Seven testable hypotheses are proposed to guide further research.

What makes people decide to visit and use an internet-delivered behavior-change intervention?: A qualitative study among adults : Table of Contents

W. Brouwer, A. Oenema, R. Crutzen, J. de Nooijer, N.K. de Vries, J. Brug — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore adults' cognitive deliberations in deciding to visit an internet intervention, to extend the visit to use and process the intervention's content, and to revisit the intervention. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative study was conducted consisting of five focus group interviews (n = 29, 25-69 years). The interview transcriptions were subjected to systematic content analysis. Findings – The results indicate that being motivated to change a health behavior and curiosity about the content were important factors in the decision to visit an internet intervention. To extend a visit, mainly intervention aspects were considered such as visual appeal, the number of questions needed to complete within the program, and the existence of a registration procedure. To induce revisits, regularly updated content and the possibility to monitor behavior change were important. Practical implications – These findings suggest that activities to promote use of internet interventions need to be directed at motivating adults to think about potential behavior change. Furthermore, intervention aspects need to meet various criteria, such as a professional appearance, concise and easy to understand texts and an explanation for the use of a registration procedure. Originality/value – The results of this explorative study can be used as a basis for further studies aimed at improving dissemination and use of internet-delivered behavior change interventions.

Promoting children's mental, emotional and social health through contact with nature: a model : Table of Contents

Cecily Jane Maller — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to determine educators' perceptions about the benefits of contact with nature for children's mental, emotional and social health. Design/methodology/approach – The approach was exploratory using qualitative methods. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with school principals and teachers as well as professionals from the environmental education industry. Interviews focused on the perceived benefits for children's health from school activities involving hands-on contact with nature. Findings – Hands-on contact with nature is perceived by educators to improve self-esteem, engagement with school and a sense of empowerment, among other benefits. Different types of activities are perceived to have different outcomes. A model is proposed to illustrate the findings. Research limitations/implications – Activities involving hands-on contact with nature may have significant health outcomes for children. Further empirical work is needed to determine the extent of the benefits and provide further evidence. Practical implications – Findings support the value of activities involving nature and provide further incentive to include such activities in teaching curricula. Activities involving hands-on contact with nature at school may be a means of promoting children's mental, emotional and social health at a crucial time in their development. Originality/value – This paper addresses two gaps in current knowledge: much research on contact with nature and health and wellbeing has focused on adults not children; despite the popularity of nature-based activities in schools there has been no investigation into the potential of these activities to promote children's mental, emotional and social health.

Pre-school overweight and obesity in England : Table of Contents

Sally Robinson, Kirsty Page — Sat Oct 24 08:00:20 BST 2009

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper aims to provide a summary of current policy and research related to pre-school overweight and obesity, and to provide a rationale for why early years settings are being placed at the forefront of strategies to address the problem. Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on a narrative review of current research, policy and practice. Findings – Today 22.9 per cent of four and five year olds are overweight or obese. The Healthy Weight, Healthy Lives strategy is a cross-government initiative, which aims to make England the first major country to reverse the obesity epidemic. The pre-school period represents a critical time for interventions, which could prevent excess weight gain and its associated physical and psychological damage to health. Practical implications – Practitioners in early years settings have a significant contribution to make to promoting the healthy weight of children. Originality/value – Concerns about overweight in childhood have received much attention. This paper seeks to raise awareness of the importance of the pre-school period, and to provide a useful review of current research, policy and sources of support for those who are best placed to address the issue.