Project description
Environmental interventions to improve teen lifestyle
Health promotion and prevention of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are essential to improve citizens’ wellbeing. However, these initiatives need to start early since teenagers are at risk of developing NCDs, such as diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, and mental and neurological disorders. The EU-funded YoPAAPE project will design interventions to improve the lifestyle of vulnerable teens (12-18 years of age). The project will introduce teen-centred, evidence-informed co-creation to reduce NCD risk and address unhealthy lifestyles and health inequalities. YoPAAPE will engage teenagers, researchers and local stakeholders to co-create communities in urban environments in richer countries (Denmark and the Netherlands) and low/middle income countries (Nigeria and South Africa).
Objective
BACKGROUND:
A vast majority of teenagers do not meet guidelines for healthy movement behaviours (i.e. physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep), posing major risks for developing multiple non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Sustainable implementation of lifestyle interventions focused on teenagers is a key challenge.
AIM:
YoPAAPE aims to tailor, implement and evaluate social and physical environmental interventions for structural improvement in the lifestyle of teenagers (12-18 years) in vulnerable life situations to reduce their NCD risk.
APPROACH:
YoPAAPE introduces teen-centred, evidence-informed co-creation to tackle the complex real-world challenge of unhealthy lifestyles and health inequalities. In urban environments in HICs (NL, DK) and LMICs (ZA, NG), we will engage teenagers and other key stakeholders in local co-creation communities. Together with academic researchers and local stakeholders, teenagers will take a leading role in 1) mapping the local system, including needs and opportunities; 2) tailoring interventions to the local context; 3) implementing, and 4) evaluating interventions guided by our novel SUPER-AIM framework assessing local Systems, User perspective, Participatory co-creation process, Reach, Effects, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance of interventions in an integrated manner.
IMPACT:
All results will be integrated in an open access YoPAAPE toolbox targeted at researchers, public health practitioners and authorities, policy makers, and citizens. By establishing an infrastructure for teen-centred co-creation including capacity building, mentoring, and participation of teenager health advocates, YoPAAPE will nurture sustainable implementation of teenager-responsive preventive interventions tailored to the local context, improving their agency, movement behaviours and wellbeing, ultimately halting the rise of NCDs and associated healthcare costs.
Fields of science
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Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
1081 HV Amsterdam
Netherlands