This research aims to identify a system of factors that can be used to improve health outcomes among young people. It is taking place in Cape Town and Soweto in South Africa, Yaoundé in Cameroon, and Kingston in Jamaica. It involves GDAR partners at the University of Capte Town, University of the Witwatersrand, University of Yaoundé and University of the West Indies.

Research objectives

  • To measure dietary and physical activity (PA) behaviours in adolescents from low and middle-higher income communities
  • To explore household exposures that may influence diet and PA behaviours of adolescents from low and middle-higher income communities
  • To identify neighbourhood-based exposures that may influence diet and PA behaviour in adolescents from low and middle-higher income communities
  • To identify school-based exposures that may influence diet and PA behaviours of adolescents in schools located in low and middle-higher income communities
  • To identify exposures that may influence diet and PA behaviour in adolescents on the journey between home and school
  • To explore the relationships between the socio-ecological factors that may influence diet and physical activity behaviour, and individual-level factors in adolescents
  • To explore the similarities and differences between settings and across socio-ecological domains.

Methods

Research method used include:

  • Adolescent questionnaires on diet and activity knowledge, perceptions and behaviour
  • Accelerometry measurements in adolescents
  • Household demographics and anthropometry
  • Household in-depth interviews
  • School food and built environment audit
  • Citizen science approaches using the EpiCollect app to collect data on food and built environments
  • Focus Group Discussion

People

Research lead / key contact: Tol Oni (Cambridge, UK)

Study team

  • Yves Wasnyo (University of Yaounde, Cameroon)
  • Jean Claude Mbanya (University of Yaounde, Cameroon)
  • Joanne Smith (UWI, Jamaica)
  • Ishtar Govia (UWI, Jamaica)
  • Marshall Tulloch-Reid (UWI, Jamaica)
  • Charles Lwanga (KEMRI, Kenya)
  • Charles Obonyo, (KEMRI, Kenya)
  •  Pamela Wadende (Kisii University, Kenya)
  • Feyi Odunitan Wayas (UCT, South Africa)
  • Kufre Okop (UCT, South Africa)
  • Vicki Lambert (UCT, South Africa)
  • Gudani Mukoma (DPHRU, Wits University, South Africa)
  • Lisa Micklesfield (DPHRU, Wits University, South Africa)
  • Shane Norris (DPHRU, Wits University, South Africa)
  • Anna Brugulat (Cambridge, UK)
  • Lou Foley (Cambridge, UK)
  • Ebele Mogo (Cambridge, UK)

Citizen science in action

Watch a short film about the citizen science approaches being used in Yaoundé, Cameroon.