Health Promotion Journal of Australia最新文献

Issue Addressed

This study investigated how various advertisers engage in vaping-related marketing on social media, with a focus on message stance, audience targeting and advertising strategies, using data from the Meta Ad Library. This is particularly relevant given the growing concern around vaping among young people and recent policy reforms in Australia.

Methods

We analysed vaping-related advertisements from Meta platforms between May 7, 2018 and July 31, 2024. Keyword searches identified relevant advertisements. Descriptive statistics were applied to the number of impressions, spending, duration, year posted, audience size and platform distribution, with advertisers classified into government, politicians/political groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs)/universities, commercial entities, news sources and undisclosed groups.

Results

A total of 861 advertisements were identified. After duplicates and non-vaping related advertisements were removed, 394 were included in the final analysis. Of the anti-vaping messages (n = 269), 37% were posted by NGOs/universities and 35% by politicians/political groups, while pro-vaping messages (n = 87) primarily originated from commercial entities (44%) and undisclosed groups (47%). Anti-vaping campaigns had higher audience reach, targeted all ages and spending varied widely compared with pro-vaping messages, which predominantly targeted the 18–34 age group.

Conclusions

The advertisers of pro- and anti-vaping messages on social media differ in their expenditure and demographic targeting. Commercial entities were still able to post pro-vaping content despite Meta's advertising restrictions.

So What?

These findings offer timely insights for health promotion practitioners and policymakers. Better understanding of paid social media advertising practices can inform the development of more targeted, transparent and effective digital health campaigns.

Introduction

This study aimed to understand parents' decision-making processes when packing their child's lunchbox, investigating barriers and facilitators of seeking nutrition information for food choices.

Methods

An online survey with Likert and open-ended questions was conducted via social media platforms. Descriptive quantitative analysis was conducted for the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was done for the qualitative data.

Results

Of 52 parent participants, 78% considered nutritional information when packing lunchboxes, relying mainly on food labelling (32%) and the Australian Nutrition Food Guide (12%). Most parents (64%) felt confident preparing healthy lunchboxes, focusing on fresh, high-fibre foods and avoiding preservatives. While 60% felt they did not need additional information, 40% were open to more guidance. Key themes included informed food choices, balancing nutrition with preferences, managing information overload, and practical approaches.

Conclusions

Parents demonstrated knowledge of healthy eating guidelines but faced challenges in balancing nutritious choices with children's preferences, cost, and providing a balanced diet.

So What?

Clear, accessible guidance on healthy lunchbox preparation needs to be provided. This helps with comprehensive food labelling, strategies for balancing nutrition with preferences, addressing cost challenges, and developing interventions to overcome barriers in food knowledge and availability.

Issue Addressed

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation and impact of the ‘Pick of the Crop’ (POTC) program. POTC is a whole-school nutrition program aimed at increasing opportunities for primary school students in Queensland to learn about and eat more vegetables and fruit (VF).

Methods

A mixed-methods evaluation was undertaken that included analysis of school action plans, Most Signficant Change interviews and surveys with school champions, as well as focus groups with regional coordinators and programme managers. Data sources explored access to VF within the school and the perceived knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviour of staff and students regarding VF consumption. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were inductively coded and thematically analysed. Sources of data were triangulated to cross-validate key themes identified from interviews, focus groups, surveys and action plans.

Results

A total of 63 schools participated in the POTC evaluation. School staff reported high acceptability of POTC within schools for the first 2 years of its implementation. School staff considered the program feasible with the support of regional coordinators, strong curriculum links, networks with the community, and local leadership. Respondents from schools in their first and second year of implementation reported an increase in student knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards VF consumption. Schools in their second year of implementation reported higher levels of VF consumption among students, with some improvement to school policies, food culture and school networks.

Conclusions

POTC demonstrates an acceptable and feasible model that has potential for increasing consumption of VF among primary school students. Further research is required to determine long-term program efficacy with a larger sample size.

So What

School-based nutrition programs should consider incorporating the capacity for flexibility within program structures, whereby schools determine context-specific priorities and the specific activities to be implemented. Recruiting dedicated regional coordinators is also important to ensure support is available to meet the individual needs of schools.

Background

With extreme weather events expected to increase due to climate change, it is essential to understand bushfire preparedness among young adults in Australia, who often risk their safety by driving through bushfire-risk areas when travelling in summer. The current study investigates the knowledge of bushfire risk management and preparedness among university students in Australia.

Methods

One hundred and forty-eight university students participated in an online survey with closed questions. The data was analysed in SPSS by conducting a descriptive analysis and χ² test between those who have and those who do not have experience with bushfire evacuations.

Results

Over half of respondents who currently live or have lived in a bushfire risk area do not have a written bushfire response plan. Although most respondents reported that they had previously learned about the risk of bushfires in Australia, less than 20% knew the Australian emergency contact number, triple 0 for bushfires. A majority of those who experienced an evacuation fully understood the fire severity scale sign, but only half of those who had not experienced an evacuation fully understood the sign.

So What?

Relevant authorities and Australian universities could consider these findings and provide university students with appropriate information to prepare them for future bushfires.

Issue Addressed

The important link between culture, health, and wellbeing is often overlooked when providing parenting support for Aboriginal fathers. This Aboriginal-led, community co-designed study was the first programme aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal fathers and their children living on Darkinjung Country (Central Coast NSW, Australia).

Methods

Single arm, pre-post feasibility trial including qualitative (yarning) and quantitative (survey & anthropometry) measures assessing a 9-week health and wellbeing programme tailored for Aboriginal fathers and their primary school aged (5–12 years) children living on Darkinjung Country.

Results

Feasibility was achieved with nearly all a priori benchmarks met; fidelity 93% (benchmark ≥ 80%), attendance 79% (benchmark ≥ 70%), home-activity compliance 93% (benchmark ≥ 60%), retention 86% (benchmark ≥ 70%), satisfaction 5/5 (benchmark = 4/5). Recruitment capability (7 families, 15 participants) was not achieved (benchmark: 20 families). Regarding preliminary efficacy, large effect sizes (d ≥ 0.8) were evident for most assessed outcomes in both fathers and children. Qualitative findings indicate that Aboriginal fathers living on Darkinjung Country find the programme to be acceptable.

Conclusions

Program feasibility was confirmed with high levels of program attendance, retention, and participant satisfaction. Large effect sizes were supported by very positive qualitative feedback from participants. Future research involving Aboriginal fathers should consider these findings in the development of culturally responsive parenting support.

So What

This new health and wellbeing programme designed for Aboriginal fathers and their children achieved programme feasibility outcomes and reports promising qualitative and quantitative findings. This research could be used to inform future development of parenting programmes involving Aboriginal fathers and their children.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trials registry: ACTRN12623000901606

Introduction

Food insecurity among international students studying in Australian universities is a growing concern, but limited research has explored their experiences in regional contexts. This study explores food insecurity experiences among international students studying at a regional Australian university, focusing on challenges with food access and the effectiveness of available support services.

Methods

Student-led focus groups were employed to explore food insecurity experiences among a sample of international students. A semi-structured guide probed students about food access issues and perceptions of available support services, and student recommendations for improvement were explored. Audio recordings were transcribed, and data were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework.

Results

International students (n = 17) participated in four focus groups. Thematic analysis identified challenges affecting students' food security, including inadequate campus food options, the high cost of living, and a lack of culturally appropriate food choices in Australia. Students employed various coping strategies, such as using dietary supplements, meal prepping, and seeking discounted and/or frozen foods. International students encountered significant barriers to accessing support services, including inefficient pantry operations, perceived stigma, and poor communications about options. Based on these findings, participants suggested improvements in pantry management and expanded financial support for university students.

Conclusions

This study highlights the significant challenges and coping strategies related to food insecurity among international students at a regional Australian university.

So What?

Our findings emphasise the urgent need for tailored, culturally appropriate interventions and improved communication strategies that support international students' agency in accessing healthy, appropriate food.

Introduction

Recent Australian adolescent data on the prevalence of chronic disease risk behaviours among diverse sociodemographic groups is lacking. This study examined the prevalence of dietary intake (sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); discretionary foods; fruit; vegetables), and alcohol (standard drink; binge drinking), tobacco, and e-cigarette use, across adolescents of diverse socioeconomic status (SES) and geographical locations.

Methods

Cross-sectional data were analysed from 4445 adolescents across 71 schools in 2022 as part of the 36-month follow-up survey from the school-based cluster randomised controlled trial, Health4Life (M_age = 15.7 years, SD = 0.6; 47.0% female-identifying). Fourteen percent (n = 571) were categorised as low SES and 86% (n = 3518) as mid-to-high SES, relative to the study sample, with 9% (n = 399) from regional areas. Binary logistic regressions compared differences for each outcome across SES and geographical locations, controlling for gender, psychological distress, intervention status, and school clustering.

Results

Low SES adolescents had a lower prevalence of excessive discretionary food intake (PR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.77–0.99), standard drink consumption (PR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.65–0.93) and binge drinking (PR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.50–0.92) compared to mid-to-high SES adolescents. Regional adolescents had a higher prevalence of standard drink consumption (PR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.00–1.97), binge drinking (PR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.07–2.93), and tobacco smoking (PR = 2.06; 95% CI = 1.18–3.60) compared to adolescents in major cities. Excessive discretionary food intake was less prevalent among adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds (PR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76–0.94) compared to more advantaged adolescents.

Conclusion

Chronic disease risk behaviours among adolescents differ across SES and geographical locations, with regional adolescents fairing considerably worse across alcohol and tobacco use outcomes. Prevention for diet-related behaviours should be improved for more advantaged adolescents, while tailored interventions to SES and geographical location separately may be required for alcohol-, tobacco-, and e-cigarette use.

So What?

Public health policy and interventions targeting chronic disease risk behavio