A Mixed Methods Study to Identify Characteristics and Practices of Effective Student Health Advocates

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior Research
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Students can be powerful advocates for healthier school environments.
• The Youth Advocacy for Obesity Prevention Framework guides this research.
• Understanding advocacy skills is crucial for promoting health in schools.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the link between advocacy skills and self-efficacy/health behaviors in students.
• To explore how students apply advocacy skills for health promotion.
• To examine these associations in low-income elementary and middle schoolers.

Main Methods:

• Convergent, nested mixed-methods approach used in elementary and middle schools.
• Validated questionnaires assessed self-efficacy, health behaviors, and advocacy skills in 457 students.
• Semi-structured interviews with 199 students explored advocacy applications.

Main Results:

• Higher self-efficacy for physical activity and healthy eating correlated with increased advocacy scores.
• Engagement in physical activity was also associated with higher advocacy scores.
• Advocacy skills were operationalized through leadership, self-efficacy for health promotion, and assertiveness.

Conclusions:

• Fostering youth self-efficacy for health behaviors can strengthen advocacy for healthier schools.
• Further research is needed to develop and assess methods for promoting youth advocacy.
• Youth advocacy holds potential for creating sustainable healthier school environments.