TY - JOUR

T1 - What are the environmental factors that affect implementation of the Manchester Healthy Schools programme?

T2 - A qualitative exploration of staff perspectives

AU - Goldthorpe, Joanna

AU - Vaughan, Matthew

AU - Keyworth, Chris

AU - Epton, Tracy

AU - Calam, Rachel

AU - Armitage, Chris

PY - 2022/4/29

Y1 - 2022/4/29

N2 - Primary/elementary schools are crucial settings for early weight management interventions but effects on children's weight are small. This may be because the environments in which these schools are situated support unhealthy behaviours that lead to weight gain (obesogenic environments). Staff working in schools have a unique insight into the environmental factors that might affect their efforts to support child health and weight management interventions. The aim of this study is to explore the views of staff in relation to the perceived effects of the environmental context in which they deliver a child health promotion intervention. Staff from five schools involved in delivering the Manchester Healthy Schools programme were interviewed (N=19). These interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Three themes were produced: opportunities to be healthy; importance of funding, resources and governance; and resources available to households and neighbourhoods. The views of school staff were consistent with themes identified in other relevant literature. Although there were serendipitous opportunities to capitalise on local resources, such as using nearby land and leisure facilities for outdoor physical activities, many barriers relating to local environmental and resource features were reported. Joined up, multi-agency solutions such as place-based approaches might be able to offer schools some resource-based support; however, more research is needed to establish the best way to achieve the best outcomes for children. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.]

AB - Primary/elementary schools are crucial settings for early weight management interventions but effects on children's weight are small. This may be because the environments in which these schools are situated support unhealthy behaviours that lead to weight gain (obesogenic environments). Staff working in schools have a unique insight into the environmental factors that might affect their efforts to support child health and weight management interventions. The aim of this study is to explore the views of staff in relation to the perceived effects of the environmental context in which they deliver a child health promotion intervention. Staff from five schools involved in delivering the Manchester Healthy Schools programme were interviewed (N=19). These interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Three themes were produced: opportunities to be healthy; importance of funding, resources and governance; and resources available to households and neighbourhoods. The views of school staff were consistent with themes identified in other relevant literature. Although there were serendipitous opportunities to capitalise on local resources, such as using nearby land and leisure facilities for outdoor physical activities, many barriers relating to local environmental and resource features were reported. Joined up, multi-agency solutions such as place-based approaches might be able to offer schools some resource-based support; however, more research is needed to establish the best way to achieve the best outcomes for children. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.]

KW - Humans

KW - Health Promotion

KW - PAEDIATRICS

KW - Child

KW - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

KW - Child Health

KW - PUBLIC HEALTH

KW - Weight Gain

KW - Schools

KW - NUTRITION & DIETETICS

U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048683

DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-048683

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35487719

VL - 12

JO - BMJ Open

JF - BMJ Open

SN - 2044-6055

IS - 4

M1 - e048683

ER -