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Published in: Trials 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Study protocol

Engaging adolescents in changing behaviour (EACH-B): a study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial to improve dietary quality and physical activity

Authors: Sofia Strömmer, Millie Barrett, Kathryn Woods-Townsend, Janis Baird, David Farrell, Joanne Lord, Leanne Morrison, Sarah Shaw, Christina Vogel, Wendy Lawrence, Donna Lovelock, Lisa Bagust, Judit Varkonyi-Sepp, Patsy Coakley, Lyall Campbell, Ross Anderson, Tina Horsfall, Neelam Kalita, Olu Onyimadu, John Clarke, Cyrus Cooper, Debbie Chase, Danielle Lambrick, Paul Little, Mark Hanson, Keith Godfrey, Hazel Inskip, Mary Barker

Published in: Trials | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Poor diet and lack of physical activity are strongly linked to non-communicable disease risk, but modifying them is challenging. There is increasing recognition that adolescence is an important time to intervene; habits formed during this period tend to last, and physical and psychological changes during adolescence make it an important time to help individuals form healthier habits. Improving adolescents’ health behaviours is important not only for their own health now and in adulthood, but also for the health of any future children. Building on LifeLab—an existing, purpose-built educational facility at the University of Southampton—we have developed a multi-component intervention for secondary school students called Engaging Adolescents in Changing Behaviour (EACH-B) that aims to motivate and support adolescents to eat better and be more physically active.

Methods

A cluster randomised controlled trial is being conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the EACH-B intervention. The primary outcomes of the intervention are self-reported dietary quality and objectively measured physical activity (PA) levels, both assessed at baseline and at 12-month follow-up. The EACH-B intervention consists of three linked elements: professional development for teachers including training in communication skills to support health behaviour change; the LifeLab educational module comprising in-school teaching of nine science lessons linked to the English National Curriculum and a practical day visit to the LifeLab facility; and a personalised digital intervention that involves social support and game features that promote eating better and being more active.
Both the taught module and the LifeLab day are designed with a focus on the science behind the messages about positive health behaviours, such as diet and PA, for the adolescents now, in adulthood and their future offspring, with the aim of promoting personal plans for change. The EACH-B research trial aims to recruit approximately 2300 secondary school students aged 12–13 years from 50 schools (the clusters) from Hampshire and neighbouring counties. Participating schools will be randomised to either the control or intervention arm. The intervention will be run during two academic years, with continual recruitment of schools throughout the school year until the sample size is reached. The schools allocated to the control arm will receive normal schooling but will be offered the intervention after data collection for the trial is complete. An economic model will be developed to assess the cost-effectiveness of the EACH-B intervention compared with usual schooling.

Discussion

Adolescents’ health needs are often ignored and they can be difficult to engage in behaviour change. Building a cheap, sustainable way of engaging them in making healthier choices will benefit their long-term health and that of their future children.

Trial registration

ISRCTN 74109264. Registered on 30 August 2019. EACH-B is a cluster randomised controlled trial, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (RP-PG-0216-20004).
Footnotes
1
LifeLab’s Young Ambassadors Scheme is a scheme whereby young people who visit LifeLab with their school can sign up to be a Young Ambassador in order to support LifeLab’s aims and objectives by taking part in special activities including being consulted on new ideas as they are developed and worked up by the LifeLab team.
 
2
Specific, Measurable, Action oriented, Realistic, Timed, Evaluated and Reviewed
 
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Metadata
Title
Engaging adolescents in changing behaviour (EACH-B): a study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial to improve dietary quality and physical activity
Authors
Sofia Strömmer
Millie Barrett
Kathryn Woods-Townsend
Janis Baird
David Farrell
Joanne Lord
Leanne Morrison
Sarah Shaw
Christina Vogel
Wendy Lawrence
Donna Lovelock
Lisa Bagust
Judit Varkonyi-Sepp
Patsy Coakley
Lyall Campbell
Ross Anderson
Tina Horsfall
Neelam Kalita
Olu Onyimadu
John Clarke
Cyrus Cooper
Debbie Chase
Danielle Lambrick
Paul Little
Mark Hanson
Keith Godfrey
Hazel Inskip
Mary Barker
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Trials / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1745-6215
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-020-04761-w

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