Beyond Healthy Eating: The Broader Impact of the Food Boost Challenge’s Participatory Approach with Young People

Wendy Scholtes-Bos (), Machteld van Lieshout, Michelle H. I. van Roost and Sanne I. de Vries
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Wendy Scholtes-Bos: Research Group Healthy Lifestyle in a Supporting Environment, Centre of Expertise Health Innovation, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, 2521 EN The Hague, The Netherlands
Machteld van Lieshout: Research Group Healthy Lifestyle in a Supporting Environment, Centre of Expertise Health Innovation, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, 2521 EN The Hague, The Netherlands
Michelle H. I. van Roost: Voedingsjungle, 3817 CK Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Sanne I. de Vries: Research Group Healthy Lifestyle in a Supporting Environment, Centre of Expertise Health Innovation, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, 2521 EN The Hague, The Netherlands

Social Sciences, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-21

Abstract: The Food Boost Challenge (FBC) uses a community-up participatory action research approach to promote healthier eating habits among young people, aged 10–24 years old, by giving them a voice in food system change. This approach encourages turning ideas into action through collaboration with young people, both adolescents and students, teachers, researchers, and food system partners. This study explored the impact of the FBC beyond its direct effect on healthy eating behavior, focusing on innovative idea generation and how participation affected young people and partners, at both the individual and community level, using indicators of community-based participatory action research. Ideas generated in various phases of the FBC were listed. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with young people, digital feedback surveys after group meetings, and informal discussions with partner representatives to explore the impact of participation in the FBC. The results demonstrate positive effects, including changes in participant’s attitudes toward healthy eating, skill development among young people, and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. Along the lines of the Community-Based Participatory Research conceptual model, the Food Boost Challenge fostered trust development, mutual learning, and capacity building at both individual and community levels. In conclusion, utilizing a community-up participatory action research approach, the Food Boost Challenge shows significant promise in empowering young people and fostering community-level changes. To translate its generated innovative solutions into real impact, a structured implementation phase is essential.

Keywords: participatory action research; young people’s health; community building; social impact; food system; healthy eating; youth engagement; community-based participatory research outcome model; collaborative framework; community-up (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A B N P Y80 Z00 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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