Food and physical literacy: Exploring an obesity prevention approach using formative research

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to explore how accessible the concept of food and physical literacy is for health and well-being professionals, and assess its potential effect on service delivery. Design: Formative research and ‘concept testing’ with potential deliverers of food and physical literacy. Setting: Dumfries and Galloway, a rural region in South West Scotland, UK. Method: The research was undertaken after four workshops hosted by National Health Service (NHS) public health specialists, aiming to introduce and discuss the concept. An immediate post-event focus group and a short qualitative questionnaire were used to assess professionals’ initial perspectives on the concept, whether they thought the concept was applicable to their work, and what they might require by way of support if the concept was to be taken forward. Results: The findings illustrated the extent to which professionals feel that food and physical literacy is necessary, barriers to its implementation and ideal components for advancing work within this field. Conclusion: The concept of food and physical literacy has a sufficiently high level of resonance (proof of the concept) among informants to provide a foundation on which further work on its operationalisation can be based. The use of formative research and concept testing with potential service deliverers was able to identify areas to be considered during developmental stages, increasing the likelihood that the end result will be accepted by the professionals expected to utilise it. Thus, the benefits of an inclusive approach to service development were also highlighted.

Understanding physical literacy in the context of health: a rapid scoping review

“…The majority of the research was published and conducted in Canada (n = 11, 64%). Two articles were published in the United Kingdom, and one article each was published from Australia, China, Germany, and Austria [41,44,45,52,54,55]. The majority of primary research articles (n = 10) used quantitative methodologies and two used qualitative approaches.…”

“…The majority of the research was published and conducted in Canada ( n = 11, 64%). Two articles were published in the United Kingdom, and one article each was published from Australia, China, Germany, and Austria [ 41 , 44 , 45 , 52 , 54 , 55 ].…”

“… Findings align with current research and future interventions aimed at improving PL do not need to be tailored based on weight status, although longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these conclusions. Gibson et al 2019 [ 44 ] United Kingdom Qualitative – formative concept testing Whiteheadian The purpose of the research is to explore how health and well-being specialists engage with the concept of ‘food and physical literacy’ (FPL). Professionals from teaching, community development, public health, health and well-being, mental health, social support, active travel, and recreation.…”

“…The majority of primary research articles ( n = 10) used quantitative methodologies and two used qualitative approaches. Study designs were cross-sectional ( n = 8; [ 40 – 43 , 47 , 48 , 50 , 51 ]), quasi-experimental ( n = 1; [ 46 ]), a multi-methods observational approach ( n = 1; [ 49 ]), a non-randomized control trial ( n = 1; [ 45 ]), and a formative conceptual evaluation ( n = 1; [ 44 ]). The five conceptual articles included two narrative review articles [ 2 , 19 ], and three systematic or scoping reviews [ 52 , 54 , 55 ].…”

“…One article [54] suggested physiotherapists should be included in the management of children with mental health disorders to increase the likelihood of them becoming physically literate. Two articles [45,50] reported physicians assisting in the participant recruitment process, and one study [44] explored how health care providers perceived the concept of food and physical literacy, finding providers found its perceived intangibility, unnecessarily complicated title, and its narrow scope to be conceptual limitations.…”