Youth voices creating healthy eating and physically active environments in schools

Abstract

Objective:

The objectives of this study were to (1) measure the acceptability of Students As LifeStyle Activists (SALSA) Youth Voices (SYV) programme, (2) determine the skills gained by peer leaders from their participation in SYV and (3) determine whether peer leaders were able to design and implement an action to promote healthy eating and physical activity in their school.

Design:

Process evaluation.

Setting:

Peer leaders (aged 15–16 years) from high schools in Western Sydney, Australia.

Method:

We conducted a process evaluation to determine the reasons why students participated in SYV, which workshop activities they enjoyed, the skills they gained from participating in SYV and whether the actions were designed and implemented. Peer leaders completed an online survey at the end of the Leadership Day. The peer leaders then presented their actions at an SYV Action Day event and completed a further online survey.

Results:

Eighty-four peer leaders from seven high schools in Western Sydney participated in SYV. Peer leaders reported their involvement with the SYV programme as positive, with 68% rating it as ‘very valuable’. Skills gained by the peer leaders included teamwork (90%), communication (85%), leadership (77%) and confidence (65%). Peer leaders planned and devised actions, which included installing water refill stations, fitting the school gymnasium with new equipment, redesigning girls’ sports shorts, and other strategies to engage girls in physical activity. Students from all seven schools presented their actions to receive feedback and expressed confidence that their actions were sustainable.

Conclusion:

The SYV programme showed that providing peer leaders with ownership of their actions was successful in creating healthy school environments, while building leadership, teamwork, communication skills and confidence in adolescents.