Children

Our Research

Digital Youth − Social media as a site for learning about food and eating (2016-2017)

We are currently working with the University of Helsinki on a study which explores Finnish and British students’ perspectives on school food in a YouTube environment. Data is collected through digital ethnography, that is, ethnography conducted online. The research bears relevance to those researchers and practitioners that aspire to approach food education in an adolescent-centered way. Funding: Elli Suninen and Rachel Troberg Foundation. Researchers: Kristiina Janhonen. More about the project online:

http://www.nuorisotutkimusseura.fi/hankkeet/digital-youth

We are currently working with Leeds Beckett University and North Kesteven District Council on a pilot programme which uses movement and dance as physical intervention into kick-starting an exercise and fitness regime.  With nearly a third of children aged 2-15 overweight or obese, tackling childhood obesity requires us all to take action. Government, industry, schools and the public sector all have a part to play in making food and drink healthier and supporting healthier choices for our children. The benefits for reducing obesity are clear – it will save lives and reduce inequalities.
The Dance Fit Project – is for children and young people to take their first steps in to physical activity. Dance will be used a medium to explore healthy lifestyles, diet, activity levels and boost wellbeing. Through a weekly programme; dance artists will deliver various fun dance styles, creative tasks, partner work, cardiovascular tasks all with a view to aiding weight loss and boosting self-esteem.
Expected Outcomes

  •         We expect to see changes in body weight and body measurements
  •          Increased sense of wellbeing by social nature of movement and dance
  •          Increased body awareness and knowledge about physical activity choices
  •          Skills based learning through nature of the activity
  •         Inspired participants to continue physical activity, join a club and live a healthy lifestyle

We have been invited, by the University of Iceland, to be involved in a grant application for the Icelandic research fund on the development of a taste education programme for special need children with food neophobia. This is of special interest to us because one of the methods being used in the programme, is the Sapere method for which we are the lead school in the UK.