Better schools through health: learning from practice

10. GROWING THROUGH ADOLESCENCEAnne Lee, Katie PatersonNHS Health ScotlandBackgroundResearch in Scotland (HBSC) shows an increasing number of young people areoverweight. There is also mounting evidence that growing numbers of young peopleare unhappy with their body shape, and that the gap between their perceived idealshape and their actual body shape is growing. Too add to this there is evidence of anincrease in dieting behaviours in teenagers, now affecting boys as well as girls.In addition longitudinal research which took place in four schools as part of theEuropean Network of Health Promoting Schools: Healthy Eating Project between 1997and 2001 investigated alternative approaches to promoting healthy eating within theschool setting, adopting a health promoting school approach. This research foundthat school staff did not require another educational resource for children and youngpeople, but a resource that would equip and skill them as educators; and that a wholeschool approach was central to success.Growing Through Adolescence was developed by NHS Health Scotland and partners,Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit (CAHRU), Edinburgh University as a resultof this research. The partnership was essential in bringing the research agenda to thisresource, and in highlighting that teachers needed help in dealing with the complexitiesaround food choices for young people.ActionGrowing Through Adolescence took 4 years to develop. It is a professional developmentresource that offers a comprehensive evidence based overview of healthy eating inrelation to young people. It enables trainers to build on teachers existing knowledgeand experience, and increase their confidence in exploring a broad range of issuesrelating to young people and their food choices within a health promoting schoolapproach.It is aimed at those working with children and young people in upper primary andlower secondary schools; it focuses on healthy eating. It explores how young peoplecope with emotional and physical health issues as they grow and develop, addressingtopics such as: food for growth, puberty, physical activity, self esteem, body image anddieting.Six national training events were provided by NHS Health Scotland between June2005 and October 2008, bringing together a wide range of disciplines - teaching staff,community dieticians, school nurses, health promotion staff and physical activityspecialists. This training was interactive and engaging, with each event taking placeover 3 days.EvaluationIn 2008 an evaluation was carried out to consider the National Training for Trainers46