Development of the Food Boost Challenge: A Participatory Action Research Approach to Enhance Vegetable and Fruit Consumption among Adolescents

Nutrients. 2023 Nov 25;15(23):4921. doi: 10.3390/nu15234921.

Abstract

Prevention of non-communicable diseases through, among other factors, increasing vegetables and fruit (V&F) intake is a cost-effective strategy for risk reduction but requires behavioral change. Such changes in adolescents benefit from their active involvement. The Food Boost Challenge (FBC) was developed using a participatory action research approach to enhance healthy eating behaviors, namely V&F products among adolescents. The FBC is an innovation process, involving adolescents, (peer) researchers, and food system partners, like non-governmental and commercial organizations. In 2021-2022, 34 partners provided both cash and in-kind contributions to join the FBC community. Phase 1 involved 200 students identifying barriers and drivers for consumption of F&V products among 1000 pre-vocational adolescents, aged 12-20 years. In phase 2, student teams submitted innovative ideas, resulting in 25 concepts fitting into ≥1 of 4 routes: (I) innovative technology for a healthy diet, (II) new food products/concepts for adolescents, (III) hotspots improving the F&V product experience, and (IV) new routes to market. In phase 3, consortia of adolescents, students, and partners were formed to develop 10 selected concepts into prototypes, and phase 4 offered teams a national platform. Results show that the FBC resonates with all stakeholders, generating valuable insights to increase F&V intake. Prototypes in all four routes have been developed. Additionally, other regions in the Netherlands have adopted the FBC approach. Overall, the FBC is an approach that transforms ideas into actionable measures and shows potential to be adapted to promote various healthy eating behaviors among school students.

Keywords: adolescents; cocreation; food system; healthy diet; healthy eating behavior; lifestyle; noncommunicable diseases; peer research; prevention; school students.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Diet
  • Diet, Healthy
  • Feeding Behavior
  • Fruit*
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Vegetables*

Grants and funding

This work received no official funding but was supported by in-kind contributions of the affiliations of the authors and by cash and in-kind contributions of participating partners (see text for further explanation). A complete list of partners is openly available and can be found here www.foodboostchallenge.nl/?lang=en, accessed on 17 September 2021.