In a groundbreaking initiative, a group of rangatahi from Hawke's Bay have taken the lead in crafting healthy eating guidelines tailored to their peers, showcasing the power of co-design in public health. This innovative approach, detailed in two recent studies, has not only resulted in the creation of the Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines for Eating and Wellbeing but has also led to a highly effective social media campaign that resonated with young people across the region.
The studies, part of the Nourishing Hawke's Bay project, highlight the importance of involving young people in the development of health guidelines. According to Professor Boyd Swinburn, the current guidelines, last updated in 2015, were deemed outdated and formal, lacking the resonance with young people that this demographic demands. Swinburn emphasizes the significance of co-design, where rangatahi contribute their unique perspectives and experiences, supported by experts in population nutrition and global health.
Seventeen rangatahi from four Hawke's Bay schools participated in three marae stays, critically evaluating existing guidelines from New Zealand, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Norway, and the USA. The Mexican guidelines, with their invitational approach, particularly impressed the young participants. This feedback led to the creation of 10 eating guidelines and 10 wellbeing guidelines, which were then tested and refined through student feedback.
What sets this initiative apart is the rangatahi's active role in the social media campaign. They guided the researchers in disseminating the information, shaping its visual appeal, and selecting Māori influencers to ensure the guidelines resonated with their peers. This collaborative effort resulted in an impressive 1.48 million impressions and over 19,000 engagement actions, demonstrating the power of youth-led initiatives in public health.
Professor Swinburn's enthusiasm for the guidelines is palpable, praising their richness and inclusion of Māori constructs. He believes that these guidelines, developed by and for young people, have the potential to significantly impact their health and well-being. The success of this project underscores the importance of involving young people in health policy, as it leads to more effective and relevant outcomes.
The Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines for Eating and Wellbeing, supported by a successful social media campaign, serve as a model for future health initiatives. By empowering young people to take the lead in co-designing guidelines and promoting them, we can create a more inclusive and impactful approach to public health, one that truly resonates with the target audience.
