The knowledge, barriers and opportunities to improve nutrition and physical activity amongst young people attending an Australian youth mental health service: a mixed-methods study

Tamieka Mawer; Katherine Kent; Andrew D. Williams; Courtney J. McGowan; Sandra Murray; Marie-Louise Bird; Sibella Hardcastle; Heather Bridgman

doi:10.1186/s12913-022-08182-0

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The knowledge, barriers and opportunities to improve nutrition and physical activity amongst young people attending an Australian youth mental health service: a mixed-methods study

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The knowledge, barriers and opportunities to improve nutrition and physical activity amongst young people attending an Australian youth mental health service: a mixed-methods study

Tamieka Mawer, Katherine Kent, Andrew D. Williams, Courtney J. McGowan, Sandra Murray, Marie-Louise Bird, Sibella Hardcastle and Heather Bridgman

BMC health services research, Vol.22(1), 789

17/06/2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08182-0

PMID: 35715836

Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Abstract

Adolescents

Community exercise programs

Community nutrition programs

Community physical activity programs

Mental health

Regional programs

Service delivery

Youth

Background: Mental illnesses are the leading cause of disability in young people, and lifestyle interventions in young people at risk of mental illness remain a priority. Opportunities to improve nutrition and physical activity among young people through youth mental health services remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and behaviors towards nutrition and physical activity, the barriers and enablers to improving behaviors, and the preferred providers and sources of information for nutrition and physical activity among a sample of young people attending a youth mental health service. Methods: A mixed‑method study was conducted in regional Tasmania, Australia in a sample of young people (15–25 years) attending a youth mental health service (headspace). A quantitative survey (n = 48) determined young people's nutrition and physical activity knowledge, behaviors, barriers and enablers to achieving recommendations, and their preferred providers and sources of information. Structured interviews and a focus group further explored these concepts (n = 8), including the role of the mental health service as a provider of this support. Results: The majority of participants did not meet national recommendations for nutrition and physical activity, despite possessing a high level of knowledge regarding their importance for mental health. Improving mental health was a common enabling factor for participants choosing to alter diet and physical activity habits, but also the leading barrier for participating in physical activity. Young people wanted to receive information from reputable health provid‑ ers, ideally through social media sources. headspace was seen as an important potential provider of this information. Conclusions: Our results indicate that there is a clear need to improve diet and physical activity habits to enhance mental and physical health outcomes in this at‑risk group, and youth mental health services could provide further interventions to support their clients. Specialized staff (e.g. dietitians and exercise physiologists) may provide addi‑ tional benefits alongside existing mental health care support.

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Title: The knowledge, barriers and opportunities to improve nutrition and physical activity amongst young people attending an Australian youth mental health service: a mixed-methods study
Creators: Tamieka Mawer - University of Tasmania
Katherine Kent - University of Tasmania
Andrew D. Williams - Launceston, Tasmania Australia
Courtney J. McGowan - University of Tasmania
Sandra Murray - University of Tasmania
Marie-Louise Bird - University of Tasmania
Sibella Hardcastle - University of Tasmania
Heather Bridgman - University of Tasmania
Publication Details: BMC health services research, Vol.22(1), 789
Publisher: BioMed Central
Grant note: Funding was provided to the University of Tasmania through Cornerstone Youth Services Inc. who secured a small grant for this project from the Healthy Tasmania Project funding scheme.
Identifiers: 991013063313602368
Academic Unit: Faculty of Health; Human Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

The knowledge, barriers and opportunities to improve nutrition and physical activity amongst young people attending an Australian youth mental health service: a mixed-methods study

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