LIKE (Lifestyle Innovations Based on youth’s Knowledge and Experience) is a five-year research project funded by the Dutch Heart Foundation and ZonMw. The focus of this research project is on stimulating a healthy lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, and sedentary and sleeping behavior) in young people in the transition period from primary to secondary school (10-14 years). The focus of this research project is on stimulating a healthy lifestyle (nutrition, physical activity, and sedentary and sleeping behavior) in young people in the transition period from primary to secondary school (10-14 years).
In Amsterdam, 23% of 10-14 year-olds are overweight or obese. These percentages are higher in neighborhoods where families have a lower socio-economic status (SES). LIKE will be implemented in a number of these low SES neighborhoods, including the Oosterparkbuurt, Dapperbuurt and Transvaalbuurt in Amsterdam East.
At the start of this project, we do not yet know how to effectively promote a healthy lifestyle and weight in these neighborhoods. In co-creation with young people, their parents and other important stakeholders, five PhD students have gone in search of these possibilities. The search has involved the home and neighborhood environments, as well as school as health care institutions. The ultimate goal of LIKE is to strengthen the environment of young people in such a way that healthy behavior is stimulated and unhealthy behavior discouraged. In co-creation with young people, their parents and other important stakeholders, five PhD students have gone in search of these possibilities. The search has involved the home and neighborhood environments, as well as school as health care institutions. The ultimate goal of LIKE is to strengthen the environment of young people in such a way that healthy behavior is encouraged and unhealthy behavior is discouraged.
