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Description
The project aims to promote the wellbeing and healthy lifestyle of children and youth, focusing on deprived areas, emphasising three key components, 1) nutrition and sport, 2) substance abuse and 3) mental health.
In the field of nutrition and sport, the project includes, inter alia, the following activities:
- Training programme on choosing healthy options in kindergartens and nurseries (including culinary workshops, sports activities, family picnics, etc.)
- Promotion of sports activities for children, youth and their parents
- Preparation of promotional and educational materials on healthy lifestyle
- Purchase of some small equipment like sports items, promotional and educational tools disseminated among children
- Education for caretakers (parents, caretakers in nurseries and kindergartens, sports trainers)
In the field of substance abuse the project includes, inter alia, the following activities:
- Research to identify factors that contribute to the initiation of tobacco use by teenagers and youth and determine how to address tobacco affordability
- Preparation of promotional and educational materials on healthy lifestyle
- A nationwide anti-tobacco campaign addressed to youth
The mental health component will include inter alia:
- Report on selection of target group
- Training for school staff, parents and carers on mental health problems of youth
- Workshops with psychologists, parents and teachers on how to help teenagers with mental health problems
- Elaboration of informational materials on methods of seeking help for disturbed children and youth
- Provision of an internet portal (website) on mental health containing e-learning courses, schooling materials for teachers and careers and informational materials for youth.
Summary of project results
The health of children and adolescents is a serious challenge for public health in Poland. Incorrect lifestyle patterns, a major factor influencing health, are difficult to change. Health behaviors should be shaped from an early age to raise awareness, shape attitudes and beliefs. Research shows that inappropriate health behaviors often result from a lack of knowledge and the influence of the social group. Appropriate education and modification of children and adolescents'' behaviors by disseminating information about a healthy lifestyle can significantly improve the overall health status in society.
The main objective of the project was to promote a healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents supported by the project. The direct objective of the predefined project was also to introduce a healthy lifestyle among children and adolescents covered by the project. In order to ensure a comprehensive approach, the project provided a wide range of educational training for both children and their parents and professional staff. It was expected that the implementation of the project will contribute to a sustainable increase in awareness of a healthy lifestyle, changing habits and supporting children and adolescents with mental health problems in Poland. Partnership with two entities from Norway provided knowledge and experience contributing to the achievement of the project objectives.
The project focused on three modules: healty lifestyle, tobacco usage and mental health.
It is good to underline, that unhealthy lifestyles among young people are a serious problem that still requires much action. A study of the eating habits and physical activity of 18-year-olds in rural areas compared to urban areas showed different habits. The study showed that the BMI of boys was generally significantly higher than that of girls and that overweight boys ate more often and much more often under stress than girls. Most of them preferred meat and were less physically active. The percentage of smokers is particularly high among less educated and unemployed Poles, reaching 50% of men. While traditional cigarette smoking is decreasing, the use of much cheaper, hand-rolled cigarettes, water pipes (shisha) and electronic cigarettes is increasing (also among children). This trend (increasingly frequent use of electronic cigarettes) will be taken into account when programming the anti-tobacco campaign planned for implementation in the project. In light of the constant increase in the number of people treated for mental disorders in Poland and the predicted continuation of this trend in the future, it is extremely important to prevent this unfavorable epidemiological situation, which will constitute a large burden for the population due to the health, social and economic consequences of mental diseases and disorders, which include affective, psychotic, non-psychotic disorders and disorders related to alcohol abuse and psychoactive substance abuse.
Predefined project no. 2 entitled "Healthy lifestyle of children and youth" implemented by the Department of Investment Assessment in the Ministry of Health under the "Health" Program co-financed by the Norwegian Funds and the state budget, aimed to promote a healthy lifestyle among the youngest and to increase public awareness of the impact of various factors on the health of children and youth. The project was implemented with two Norwegian partners: the Norwegian Cancer Center (module no. 2 of the project), and the Health Care Center in Verdal Municipality (for modules 1 and 3).
The above-mentioned activities were implemented as three complementary modules.
The first module of the project concerned diet and physical activity. Healthy eating and regular physical activity are extremely important for the growth and proper development of children. The module included activities aimed at educating parents and children about healthy eating, providing adequate nutrients and avoiding highly processed food. In addition, various forms of physical activity were promoted, such as team sports, dance classes and walks, so that children had regular contact with sports and were physically active. The main task of the Norwegian Partner was to prepare and submit a report on best practices in the area of improving nutrition, nutritional status and mental activity of the population, in particular children. The report includes both the characteristics of Norwegian kindergartens, including a description of the diet for preschool children, a description of physical activity in preschool children, and other elements. In the context of changing eating habits and increasing physical activity, in order to avoid various lifestyle diseases, it was important to implement the following activities:
• a training program was prepared on choosing healthy options in kindergartens and nurseries;
• promotional and educational materials were developed for children and young people;
• activities were carried out related to the implementation of children''s and their parents'' activities;
• workshops were organized, e.g. culinary workshops for children and their families, promoting healthy eating habits;
• sports activities for children (kindergartens) were organized;
• educational games were purchased to promote sports activities;
• small equipment for kindergartens and nurseries necessary for conducting culinary workshops and physical activity was purchased.
On October 20, 2021, a conference was held in Warsaw to inaugurate the project. In September 2023, a mid-term conference of the project was organized with representatives of nurseries and kindergartens interested in participating in the project, as well as a representative of the Partner from Norway, the Partner in Poland and the Contractor, combined with the exchange of experiences and good practices, as well as an element of project promotion.
A study visit to Norway and a summary conference took place on 5-8 March 2024. The main purpose was visiting Norwegian educational and care facilities and to participate in a conference at which, among other things, the experiences from the implementation of the project in both countries were summarised, the substantive activities undertaken were presented and discussions on the evaluation of the project were held.
The second module focused on education about the harmful effects of tobacco use. Smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products poses a serious threat to the health of children and adolescents. The aim was to increase awareness of this problem, both among young people and their parents. Social campaigns were conducted, which informed about the negative effects of smoking and offered support to those who want to quit smoking. The Norwegian Partner of the project - the Norwegian Oncology Society prepared a report entitled "Tools for reducing tobacco smoking among young people in Poland" containing best practices developed in the field of counteracting tobacco initiation among young people.
The following activities were undertaken in Module 2:
• Promotional and educational materials on healthy lifestyles and substance abuse prevention were prepared;
• Research was conducted to identify and reconcile factors that contribute to the initiation of tobacco use by adolescents and young people, including the development of aggregated data or a report identifying these factors.
• Existing economic evidence on tobacco in the Polish context was reviewed, new knowledge was generated to guide tobacco policy aimed at young people, and gaps in further research were identified.
• Promotional and educational materials aimed at adolescents on healthy lifestyles and substance abuse prevention were developed and prepared;
• A nationwide anti-tobacco campaign aimed at young people aimed at combating tobacco use was organised, and an internet portal dedicated to substance abuse among children and young people was run.
The third module of the project concerned mental health and focused on the prevention of these diseases by increasing access to psychological help for children and social awareness of the importance of mental health. The project activities included organizing training for teachers, parents and guardians, which help to recognize and cope with emotional problems of children.
The Norwegian partner developed and submitted a report entitled "Health lifestyle in children and youth – Module 3: Mental health among children and youth (6-20 years old). Preventive and promoting measures". The report includes elements such as a description of the mental health of children and youth; a description of the Norwegian healthcare system; a description of the Norwegian school system; information on digital infrastructure for better mental health; screening tools for mental health and well-being; practical measures for prevention and promotion of work in the field of mental health.
The following activities were undertaken within the third module:
• a report was prepared on the selection of the project''s target group and ways or methods of directing/attracting teachers, parents of children and young people - e.g. worried children, children from poor and deprived areas, risk for children in the city, very busy parents;
• promotional and educational materials were developed on supporting parents and teachers in helping children with mental health problems;
• training was organised for school staff (or other relevant entities), parents and carers on how to spot maladjustment and early signs of mental disorders, also in connection with obesity;
• workshops were organised with psychologists for parents and teachers on the topic of "how to reach a teenager with a mental disorder";
• an internet portal dedicated to the mental health of young people was created and maintained, with the possibility of preparing an anonymous questionnaire examining the mental state of teenagers and young people, with e-learning courses, training materials for teachers and carers and information materials for young people;
• entities implementing educational activities were engaged, supported and monitored on an ongoing basis, including the recruitment of entities to support the children and youth module in the project, carried out at an earlier stage of project implementation.
Regular meetings were held with the project staff and the project group on Teams, and the most important information and tasks for the project team were transmitted via this channel.
The project shows that improving lifestyle can bring many positive changes, such as increased energy, increased concentration, improved well-being and reduced risk of illness. Thanks to cooperation with parents, teachers and specialists from various fields, the project had a greater chance of success and long-term changes in the lifestyle of young people.
In the project the assumed goals were achieved. The actions taken are of great importance for the future of society. Through education, information and promotion of a healthy lifestyle of children and youth, the Ministry of Health strives to ensure a better quality of life for children and youth. Thanks to this project, children and youth will have greater opportunities for development and achieving success in both physical and mental health.
Within the project 89 922 children took part in trainings and improved healthy lifestyle habits (nutrition, physical activity) and 3 085 have declared limiting tobacco smoking. The project trained also 7 871 teachers and 25 403 parents in terms of healthy diet and phisical activity. In total 1 295 entities were involved in the training actions which shown the high importance of the project.
As part of the implementation of Module 3 of the project in Poland, cooperation was established with 15 institutions involved in mental health education activities. These were primary and secondary schools located in rural and urban areas of north-eastern Poland in the Podlaskie Voivodeship. School staff and parents and guardians were recruited to participate in the project. Psychologists provided training and workshops on child and adolescent mental health for teachers and parents according to a programme developed by the project. More than 100 teachers received training. Training for parents will continue until the end of February and 500 people will be trained. Participants in the trainings will receive teaching materials developed by the project.
During the training, participants, among others:
• learn about the causes of mental disorders among children and adolescents and the stages of child development;
• get information about early signs of mental disorders in children and adolescents;
• get a list of places, institutions that provide support for children and young people with mental disorders;
• receive guidance on how to deal with children with suspected mental disorders;
• learn about what influences and ways to counteract the causes of mental disorders in children and young people and to counteract the stigmatisation of children and young people with mental health problems.
During the implementation of the project, positive effects of the activities carried out were noticed. Over time, more and more institutions reported interest in introducing activities in their classes. Positive feedback was received on an ongoing basis from both parents and employees of kindergartens and nurseries. The positive reception of the project is additionally evidenced by the fact that the Contractor has provided support to more children than expected, as well as to parents, caregivers and employees of nurseries and kindergartens. Children willingly participated in the organized activities.
Poland''s healthcare sector faces many challenges. Undoubtedly, more measures are needed to inform Poles, especially children and adolescents, their parents, teachers, and caregivers, about the importance of positive health choices to prevent diseases and promote healthy lifestyles. It should be emphasized that the activities of the project were not a replication of previous projects. The vast substantive experience in the creation of health policy oriented towards healthy lifestyles, gained in the implementation of the project, will be an important aspect in the next initiatives to be implemented, especially those with a nationwide scope.
Summary of bilateral results
Bilateral cooperation is an added value of the project. The Project Promoter held weekly meetings with its partners and also went on study visits to Norway to familiarize themselves with the Norwegian education system.The main task of the Norwegian Partner was to prepare and submit a report on best practices in the area of improving nutrition, nutritional status and mental activity of the population, in particular children.Within modules 1 and 3, the Norwegian partner conducted almost the same activities for young people as in Poland, i.e. sports and healthy diet classes in schools and kindergartens, and also provided psychological support for older young people.Within module 2, reports on tobacco abuse among young people were prepared, comparing both countries. Thanks to this cooperation, it was possible to reduce the number of young people declaring smoking cigarettes.Bilateral cooperation enabled the exchange of knowledge and good practices. Partners held talks on further cooperation within other projects or financial resources.