‘Just stuff yourself’: Identifying health‐promotion strategies from the perspectives of adolescent boys from disadvantaged neighbourhoods

Abstract

ContextThe prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents has risen dramatically in the last decade, disproportionally affecting adolescents from disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Adolescent boys from disadvantaged neighbourhoods are hard to reach for health promotion.ObjectiveThis study aims to understand perceptions of health and health‐promotion strategies among adolescent boys from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in order to identify opportunities for health promotion that are better tailored to their needs.MethodsA qualitative, participatory research approach was used. Sixty‐three adolescent boys (aged 12‐18) were recruited from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Semi‐structured interviews, participant observations and co‐creation sessions were conducted. Data were analysed using ethnographic content analysis.ResultsBoys associate the consumption of large portions of unhealthy foods, especially meat, with masculinity and autonomy. Buying junk food is an important part of their social lives. According to boys, current health promotion does not fit their needs. They stress that entertaining activities, humour and short‐term benefits of healthy choices must be central to health promotion. Some differing interests in health promotion appear between boys, but all boys plead for cheap, satisfying, tasty and healthy food options in their neighbourhoods.ConclusionsAdolescent boys from disadvantaged neighbourhoods do see opportunities for health promotion. There is an emerging acceptance of boys taking care of their body and health, but the social norm of unhealthy consumption dominates. For health promoters, it is vital to gear health messages to who the boys are and wish to be, especially in relation to their peers.

Opportunities for Capacity Building to Create Healthy School Communities in the Netherlands: Focus Group Discussions With Dutch Pupils

“…One potential reason why pupils were hardly concerned with their own healthy behaviour is that making these choices does not have immediate consequences for their health. Adolescent development is characterised by a limited ability to oversee long-term consequences of unhealthy choices ( 36 , 37 ). The pupils themselves expressed that they can behave unhealthily as long as they feel healthy ( 4 ).…”

Introducing the Practice Dive Approach: an extension of co-creation in physical activity promotion and health promotion

“…Overall, we did not find a published approach that truly covers our real-life observations, although we identified similar activities that have been reported alongside co-creation processes. Most included articles described a combination of observing and interviewing end-users or other non-academic stakeholders ( van Deventer et al , 2016 ; Sushama et al , 2018 ; Lems et al , 2019 ). A few articles reported researchers’ direct integration into the research setting, for example, by being embedded and engaged in their setting of interest ( Abma et al.…”

“…For example, researchers’ field visits that include more or less structured conversations with non-academic stakeholders about the setting and/or their experiences, demands, needs or perspectives ( Lombard et al. , 2018 ; Lems et al , 2019 ). Finally, the Deep Practice Dive level is characterized by researchers’ direct integration into the research setting, such as taking on the end-users’ role and completely immersing themselves in the latter’s environment ( Abma et al , 2017 ; Bruland et al.…”

“…While screening the literature, we mostly found activities that can be classified as Medium Practice Dive, which combined observations of and interviews with non-academic stakeholders ( van Deventer et al , 2016 ; Sushama et al , 2018 ; Lems et al , 2019 ). The previously described project activities in PArC-AVE can be characterized as a Medium Practice Dive in the nursing settings (field visits that included informal exchanges) and a Deep Practice Dive in the automotive setting (field visits and working in the assembly department of the automotive manufacturer).…”

“…To enable researchers to conduct such Practice Dive activities as exemplified for the Low, Medium and Deep Practice Dive levels, several requirements seem necessary on the part of the researchers and non-academic stakeholders. The researchers (divers) must invest time to gain experience and strengthen relationships in the practical field ( ter Haar et al , 2016 ; Lems et al , 2019 ). They should be open-minded, willing to invest in building relationships and trust and value non-academic stakeholders as important practice-based experts ( Salsberg et al , 2017 ; Pelletier et al , 2020 ).…”