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The Healthy Primary School of the Future: A Contextual Action-Oriented Research Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Nina H. M. Bartelink

    (Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
    Department of Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
    Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Limburg, Public Health Services, P.O. Box 33, 6400 AA Heerlen, The Netherlands)

  • Patricia Van Assema

    (Department of Health Promotion, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
    Department of Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Maria W. J. Jansen

    (Academic Collaborative Centre for Public Health Limburg, Public Health Services, P.O. Box 33, 6400 AA Heerlen, The Netherlands
    Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Hans H. C. M. Savelberg

    (Department of Nutritional and Movement Sciences, Nutrition and Translational Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Maartje Willeboordse

    (Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

  • Stef P. J. Kremers

    (Department of Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Background: Schools can play an important role in promoting children’s health behaviours. A Dutch initiative, ‘The Healthy Primary School of the Future’, aims to integrate health and well-being into the school system. We use a contextual action-oriented research approach (CARA) to study the implementation process. Properties of CARA are its focus on contextual differences and the use of monitoring and feedback to support and evaluate the process of change. The aim of this article is to describe the use of the approach. Methods: Four schools (each with 200–300 children, aged 4–12 years) were included; all located in low socio-economic status areas in the south of the Netherlands. Data collection methods include interviews, observations, questionnaires, and health and behavioural measurements. Research contributions include giving feedback and providing schools with a range of possibilities for additional changes. The contextual data we examine include schools’ health promoting elements, practices of teachers and parents, dominating organisational issues, and characteristics of the student population; process data include the presence of potential barriers to changes. Discussion: CARA is an adaptive research approach that generates knowledge and experiences on how to deal with health promotion in complex systems. We think this approach can set an example for research efforts in comparable initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Nina H. M. Bartelink & Patricia Van Assema & Maria W. J. Jansen & Hans H. C. M. Savelberg & Maartje Willeboordse & Stef P. J. Kremers, 2018. "The Healthy Primary School of the Future: A Contextual Action-Oriented Research Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:10:p:2243-:d:175340
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Roohi Kharofa & Robert Siegel & Kristin Stackpole, 2019. "What to Do about Childhood Obesity?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-4, October.
    2. Marion D. Driessen-Willems & Nina H. M. Bartelink & Kathelijne M. H. H. Bessems & Stef P. J. Kremers & Conny Kintzen & Patricia van Assema, 2021. "Co-Creation Approach with Action-Oriented Research Methods to Strengthen “Krachtvoer”; A School-Based Programme to Enhance Healthy Nutrition in Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Hussein Rizal & Mawar Siti Hajar & Ayu Suzailiana Muhamad & Yee Cheng Kueh & Garry Kuan, 2019. "The Effect of Brain Breaks on Physical Activity Behaviour among Primary School Children: A Transtheoretical Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-13, November.

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