Early Start at The University of Wollongong

Researchers from Early Start’s Food and Movement Behaviours Research Theme have a focus on childhood obesity prevention and were awarded funding under the Preventive Research Support Program (PRSP) in 2017. The aim is to conduct research to better understand and promote physical activity and healthy eating among children, with special emphasis on childhood obesity prevention and the translation of research into policy and practice. Building on existing relationships, Early Start is working in partnership with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD), South West Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) and the NSW Office of Preventive Health on a range of projects.

This case study describes two of these projects, the first conducted in the Family Day Care (FDC) and the second in Out of School Hours (OOSH) care settings. Of children aged 0-12 years, 48% attend some type of childcare, with 8% attending OOSH and 2.5% attending FDC.¹ Children spend a median of 12 hours per week in formal care. These settings remain largely under researched in Australia. Both projects aim to investigate the healthy eating and active living (HEAL) environments and practices within services in SWSLHD and ISLHD. 

The first phase of the FDC project was a review of policies at the service provider level and the second phase will involve observations of the HEAL environments and practices within FDC educator homes. Similarly, the OOSH project has involved a comprehensive audit of the policies and practices within the OOSH services through observation and accelerometry data. The OOSH study has involved 87 sites to date across the two participating local health districts.

A pilot study of the OOSH research was conducted with an individual organisation. This was pivotal in developing the research design and outcomes with the end user stakeholders. Working with LHDs has provided expert input from health practitioners to further inform the study design. Each LHD aided in the large task of recruitment and data collection. Similarly, this expertise will be drawn upon to inform a pilot intervention. 

The knowledge translation and exchange (KTE) component of these two projects will involve using the initial key findings of the observations to develop a pilot intervention to build capacity at the service delivery and educator levels. This will be conducted using social marketing approaches. For example, this could be in the form of training for all educators and OOSH staff via an online platform. This will be tested in the two participating LHDs and implementation strategies and recommendations for additional LHDs will be generated. Results from this research have the potential to influence the Eat Smart Play Smart and Munch & Move resources. 

Knowledge translation for this project goes beyond the primary studies. Capacity building is one of the main targets within the PRSP funding and has previously been identified as a KTE strategy.² Early Start has recruited two PhD candidates from NSW Health LHDs as well as a Masters of Philosophy student. This is a key function in order to effectively translate knowledge. These students have existing knowledge and research experience from their employment within NSW Health in the field of health promotion, including relationships with policymakers and practitioners. This brings service delivery and research together. Similarly, the ISLHD employed a Research Coordinator to bring research to the forefront of their health promotion team. This in itself has boosted the Health Promotion Officer’s capacity to engage in research (outside of the PRSP funding).

In 2018 Early Start was host to many international academics across a range of fields. Many of these have a primary focus on child health, including Prof Tom Robinson (Stanford University), Prof Eivind Aadland (Western Norway University of Applied Science) and Maureen Black (University of Maryland). Knowledge translation goes beyond the local context. By hosting a range of international academics Early Start increases and shares knowledge between our international peers. Each visitor presents a seminar on their work and these invitations are extended to our NSW Health collaborators. In 2019 Early Start looks forward to hosting Dr Emma Boyland (University of Liverpool), Prof Michael Chia (National Institute of Education, Singapore), Prof Oon Seng Tan (National Institute of Education, Singapore) and Dr Guan Hongyan (Capital Institute of Paediatrics, China).