City Research Online

Abstract

Recently, citizen participation has been put forward as a strategy to address the ‘wicked’ problem of child obesity. It is argued that novel solutions are needed to tackle child obesity, that are grounded in the experiences of those most affected. Practices of participation involving children and young people (CYP) in developing solutions to address child obesity are increasing. However, there is little known about how CYP are participating in generating policy actions to address child obesity, as well as the ‘influence’ of these policy actions.

The objective of this research was to explore ‘practices of participation’ involving CYP to address child obesity in London, both from the point of generating policy actions to address child obesity, and the point of disseminating these policy actions. First, a scoping review was conducted to understand global practices of CYP’s participation in generating policy actions aimed at improving the food and physical activity environment, and addressing child obesity. Second, a focused ethnographic methodology was used to explore three ‘practices of participation’ and three related ‘dissemination practices’ taking place in London. This approach used two main qualitative methods: participant observation and semi-structured interviews. In total, 35 observations and seven semi-structured interviews were conducted between January 2020 – May 2022. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

A core finding was that despite all three ‘practices of participation’ describing their intention as ‘co-designing’ or ‘co-creating’ policy actions with children and young people, in two out of three practices, activities largely sought CYP’s views on adults’ preconceived policy actions to address child obesity. In all three practices, despite encouragement to focus on the food environment, CYP suggested actions that targeted individual behaviour change, thus aligning with an ideology of personal responsibility for health. Two out of three practices did not involve CYP in disseminating their policy actions to an audience. As a result, CYP’s ‘authentic’ voice seemed to get lost amongst others’ voices. Finally, this study found CYP’s participation can have local influence, but only when it reinforces pre-held views of those in power.

Future practices of participation must ensure methods and activities are appropriate to their aims and intentions of supporting CYP in generating policy actions. When involving CYP in addressing complex, ‘wicked’ problems, consciousness raising activities must be used to challenge and confront existing ideologies in order to avoid the proposal of actions that are less likely to be effective and equitable.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Healthcare Services Research & Management > Food Policy School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses Doctoral Theses

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