WEIGHT MANAGEMENT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
due to increased physical inactivity. Young people’s inactivity has increased further during the coronavirus pandemic. Overweight is a major public health issue, and it often continues until adulthood. It has been associated with both physical and psychosocial problems. Traditionally, efforts have been made to reduce overweight and obesity by providing health advice about weight, physical activity and nutrition. However, methods based on behavioural therapy and other tools related to mental well-being are much less familiar and have been used less. The treatment of overweight and obesity is becoming more multidisciplinary and comprehensive, making use of methods based on acceptance and commitment therapy, amongst others. In this project, this reform will be introduced into the everyday school environment of young people.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the project is to use co-creation methods to 1) develop a multidisciplinary operating model for reducing overweight and obesity among young people in the areas of cooperation, 2) develop teaching material containing behavioural therapeutic methods for professionals working with young people, and 3) test the suitability of a weight management application developed for adults for use by young people as part of schools’ health care services.
The target group of the project consists of young people and adults working with them in the school environment, such as public health nurses, physicians, school social workers, psychologists, physiotherapists, teachers of physical education or health education, and nurses working with mental health care in schools. Other experts and parents are also invited to participate in the co-creation.
results
As a result of the project, the cooperation areas will have access to a multidisciplinary operating model that meets their needs, and to the electronic teaching material developed on the basis of this model, which will include behavioural therapeutic methods. The teaching material is intended for professionals working with young people, and it will include a description of the operating model and a tool package for use when working with overweight young people. The teaching material will make it easy to implement the operating model and to use the tools that utilise behavioural therapeutic methods. The project will increase cooperation between local professionals in managing the weight of young people. As a result, overweight young people will be encountered from a more holistic perspective, taking into account the physical, psychological and social dimensions. The aim is to reduce overweight and obesity by utilising new evidence-based methods. After the project, the results will also be accessible to people outside the cooperative areas.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
spring 2022
- Launching the project
- Kick-off seminar 05/22
autumn 2022
- Mapping of the current situation and development needs
- Development of the operating model begins
spring 2023
- Testing the weight management application
- Developing the operating model in workshops
- Developing learning materials
autumn 2023
- Piloting of learning materials
spring 2024
- Developing learning materials
- Developing the operating model
- Dissemination of project results
autumn 2024
- Closing seminar
The Weight Management for Young People project receives discretionary state subsidy granted by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health from the appropriation for health promotion.
The implementation period of the project is from 1 January 2022 to 31 October 2024.