Reports available online:
Children's views about obesity, body size, shape and weight: a systematic review (December 2009)
Incentives to improve smoking, physical activity, dietary and weight management behaviours: a scoping review of the research evidence (October 2009)
Inequalities and the mental health of young people: a systematic review of secondary school-based cognitive behavioural interventions (June 2009)
Targeted youth support: Rapid Evidence Assessment of effective early interventions for youth at risk of future poor outcomes (October 2008) (funded by the DCSF)
Health promotion, inequalities and young people's health: a systematic review or research (October 2008)
Social and environmental interventions to reduce childhood obesity: a systematic map of reviews (September 2008)
Including diverse groups of children and young people in health promotion and public health research: a review of methodology and practice (September 2008)
Schemes to promote healthy weight among obese and overweight children in England (August 2008)
RCTs for policy interventions? A review of reviews and meta-regression (May 2008)
Accidental injury, risk-taking behaviour and the social circumstances in which young people (aged 12-24) live: a systematic review (February 2007)
A scoping review of the evidence relevant to life checks for young people aged 9 to 14 years (January 2007)
A bibliography of research reports about patients', clinicians' and researchers' priorities for new research (December 2006)
A synthesis of research addressing children’s, young people’s and parents’ views of walking and cycling for transport (November 2006)
Young people, pregnancy and social exclusion: A systematic synthesis of research evidence to identify effective, appropriate and promising approaches for prevention and support (March 2006)
A systematic review of the evidence for incentive schemes to encourage positive health and other social behaviours in young people (March 2006)
A summary of ongoing activity in the use of incentive schemes to encourage positive behaviours in young people (July 2005)
A scoping review of the evidence for incentive schemes to encourage positive behaviours in young people (March 2005)
Smoking cessation programmes in pregnancy: systematically addressing development, implementation, women’s concerns and effectiveness (October 2004)
HIV health promotion and men who have sex with men (MSM): a systematic review of research relevant to the development and implementation of effective and appropriate interventions (July 2004)
Involving consumers in research and development agenda setting for the NHS: developing an evidence-based approach (April 2004)
Children and healthy eating: a systematic review of barriers and facilitators (October 2003)
Children and physical activity: a systematic review of barriers and facilitators (April 2003)
Young men and suicide prevention: a scoping exercise for a review of the effectiveness of health promotion interventions of relevance to suicide prevention in young men (October 2002)
Barriers to, and facilitators of, the health of young people: A systematic review of evidence on young peoples views and on interventions in mental health, physical activity and healthy eating (October 2002)
Young people and physical activity: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators (October 2001)
Young people and healthy eating: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators (October 2001)
Young people and mental health: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators (September 2001)
A review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of peer-delivered health promotion interventions for young people (November 1999)
Effectiveness reviews in health promotion (February 1999)
PHASE: Promoting Health After Sifting the Evidence (August 1996)
A descriptive mapping of health promotion studies in young people (May 1996)
Review of effectiveness of health promotion interventions for men who have sex with men (March 1996)
Reports available offline
Reports available online
This review examines recent research findings from the UK where children aged from four to eleven provide views about their own body sizes or about the body sizes of others. Such perspectives can inform the ways in which interventions to prevent or deal with obesity aim to bring about positive outcomes. The review has been conducted in the context of high levels of concern about obesity in children in the UK. It is hoped that it will help inform policy and the commissioning of further research in ways that put children’s experiences in the forefront.
There is considerable interest in the use of ‘incentive’ or ‘reward’ schemes to encourage healthy behaviours. The scoping review assesses the extent and nature of the international research literature on incentives in the areas of physical activity and healthy eating, weight management and smoking cessation. One hundred and twenty-eight records of trials, RCTs and systematic reviews were identified.
The aim of this report is to increase what is known about promoting good mental health and mental health inequalities. It focuses on the role of interventions based on the techniques of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)for preventing and reducing suicidality, depression and anxiety in young people. A further aim of the study is to use the systematic review as a case-study to applying an ‘equity lens’ to a review topic, by building on work completed in an earlier systematic map and methodological review.
Targeted Youth Support (TYS) is an initiative aimed at vulnerable young people and involves ensuring that agencies work together to meet young people’s needs. The initiative’s rationale is that a collaborative, ‘joined-up’ approach is needed because young people may have complex and multiple needs which cannot be met by mainstream or specialist services in isolation. This report was commissioned by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to explore what works for young people in relation to the outcomes prioritised by the TYS initiative.
Health inequalities are recognised as an important problem nationally and internationally. There is policy interest in improving the health of the most disadvantaged, reducing the gap between the most and least disadvantaged, and reducing gradients across the whole population. This report describes an attempt to look at how much health promotion and public health research relating to young people has tackled health inequalities, and in what ways it has done this.
Since 2004, tackling obesity has been a policy priority for the UK government and efforts have particularly focused on halting the increases in childhood obesity. This work aimed to locate and describe existing review-level evidence on the effectiveness of social and environmental interventions for the prevention or reduction of obesity and overweight, with its focus on evidence relating to children and young people.
For research to be credible, relevant and ethical it needs to reflect the diversity and multi-cultural nature of our society. This report combines a review of relevant literature with an in-depth look at research practice to examine the extent to which socially diverse populations have been, or might be, reflected in research. While the work has a focus on health promotion and public health research with children and young people, its key messages are relevant to research in all topics with a range of age groups.
Both internationally and in the UK, there is widespread concern about rising rates of overweight and obesity and the consequences of this for individuals, for population health and for the wider society. This concern is not yet matched by either a clear map of interventions provided for children and young people or a robust evidence base on the effectiveness of interventions. The potential range of such interventions is very wide, with sound evaluation facing both methodological and practical challenges.
While the randomised controlled trial (RCT) is generally regarded as the design of choice for assessing the effects of health care, within the social sciences there is considerable debate about the relative suitability of RCTs and non-randomised studies (NRSs) for evaluating public policy interventions. This review aims to determine whether RCTs lead to the same effect size and variance as NRSs of similar policy interventions; and whether these findings can be explained by other factors associated with the interventions or their evaluation.
In industrialised countries such as England and Wales, unintended injury (which ranges from sprains in sport to hospitalisation and death due to drugs or transport crashes) is the leading cause of death in children aged 0 to 14 years, and a major cause of death in young adults aged 15 to 24. It is also a major cause of ill health and disability in these age groups. There is a large body of research on young people and their perceived propensity to take risks. Common sense suggests that an increased willingness to place oneself at risk will result an increased likelihood of physical injury. However, given that pathways to injury are complex and not always well understood, the UK Department of Health commissioned a large systematic review to examine this multifaceted issue.
For further details of the review, click here
'Life checks' have been proposed by the English Department of Health as a personalised service providing support and advice at key stages throughout the lifespan to help people to maintain and improve their health. For young people, the proposed key stage for a life check is the transition between primary and secondary school sat ages 11 to 12 years. This review was a scoping exercise to identify the size and scope of the available research evidence relevant to the life check proposal for young people.
For further details of the review, click here
A bibliography of research reports about patients', clinicians' and researchers' priorities for new research (December 2006)
The James Lind Alliance has been funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Department of Health to foster discussion among patients and clinicians (doctors, nurses, therapists, and others who treat patients) about variations in health care practice and the related unanswered research questions about the effects of care. The Alliance has assembled an initial bibliography of reports of studies comparing patients’ and clinicians’ research questions and outcome priorities with researchers’ priorities or activities relevant to this aim. It was not known whether there were other, similar studies that could inform discussions among patients and clinicians, by reporting either their ideas about priorities for new research, or ways in which these priorities might be identified.
For further details of this review, click here
There is widespread concern about the decrease in physical activity and the increase in obesity and chronic diseases in the UK, especially among children and young people. There is also considerable interest in the social and environmental benefits of a shift away from car travel to non-motorised forms of transport, such as walking and cycling. Walking and cycling provides people with the opportunity to build physical activity into their daily lives. This systematic review brings together the relevant research literature to examine children’s, young people’s and parent’s views about what helps and hinders them in walking and cycling to school, and combines these with the results of a recent systematic review of the effectiveness of interventions to promote a shift from car travel to more active forms of transport.
For further details of the review, click here
Young people, pregnancy and social exclusion: A systematic synthesis of research evidence to identify effective, appropriate and promising approaches for prevention and support (March 2006)
There is widespread policy concern with high rates of unintended teenage pregnancy in the UK, the highest in Western Europe. Social disadvantage and teenage pregnancy are strongly related. This review systematically examines research relating to policy initiatives aimed at tackling the social exclusion associated with unintended teenage pregnancy and young parenthood. Two separate reviews of evidence were conducted: a review of evidence relating to the prevention of unintended pregnancy; and a review of the research evidence relating to the support of teenage parents.
For further details of the review, click here
A systematic review of the evidence for incentive schemes to encourage positive health and other social behaviours in young people (March 2006)
There is considerable and growing, interest in the possibility that providing direct incentives of one kind or another can encourage healthy behaviours. This systematic review brings together the relevant research literature to examine the impact of single or dual component incentives schemes in encouraging positive health and other social behaviours in young people aged 11-19. It also examines ongoing incentive-based schemes in more detail.
For further details of the review, click here
A summary of ongoing activity in the use of incentive schemes to encourage positive behaviours in young people (July 2005)
There is considerable policy interest in the use of incentives to promote positive behaviour in children and young people. However, there is uncertainty about whether this approach works, and if so, what the underlying mechanisms are. This report summarises ongoing activity in the use of incentive schemes both in the UK and internationally.
For further details of the review, click here
A scoping review of the evidence for incentive schemes to encourage positive behaviours in young people (March 2005)
There is considerable policy interest in the use of incentives to promote positive behaviour in children and young people. However, there is uncertainty about whether this approach works, and if so, what the underlying mechanisms are. There is no recent evidence-based summary of the international research literature to inform policy decisions. This review is a scoping exercise to identify the nature and extent of a) international research studies evaluating incentive schemes and b) ongoing incentive schemes in the UK.
For further details of the review, click here
Smoking cessation programmes in pregnancy: systematically addressing development, implementation, women’s concerns and effectiveness (October 2004)
Cigarette smoking in pregnancy is common, particularly where there is low income and social disadvantage. Smoking in pregnancy increases the risk of babies having low birthweight and being born too early. Babies often struggle to cope with life outside the womb and can suffer ill health later in life. Many mothers find it hard to stop, or to reduce, smoking during pregnancy even knowing the benefits this may have, because smoking can help them cope with stress. We wanted to know what are the effects of smoking cessation programmes for pregnant women and how relevant are they to women’s concerns and for guiding the how programmes are conducted.
For further details of this review, click here
HIV health promotion and men who have sex with men: a systematic review of research relevant to the development and implementation of effective and appropriate interventions (July 2004)
Men who have sex with men (MSM) remain the group at greatest risk of acquiring HIV infection in the UK, and initial behaviour changes to reduce the risk of HIV are not being maintained. This review analyses and synthesises the findings from studies of the views and experiences of MSM concerning HIV-related sexual health, and integrates these with findings from effectiveness studies.
For further details of the review, click here
Involving consumers in research and development agenda setting for the NHS: developing an evidence-based approach (April 2004)
How are consumers involved in deciding what research should be undertaken, and do they have any influence? What helps or hinders their influence?
For further details of this review, click here
Children and healthy eating: a systematic review of barriers and facilitators (October 2003)
Healthy eating is encouraged amongst children in the belief that they will benefit from the long term physiological consequences of a good diet in childhood, and that healthy eating in childhood is more likely to lead to healthy eating later in life. An over-consumption of energy-dense foods has been linked with obesity, and the proportion of children classed as obese is rising. Diets high in fruit and vegetables have been associated with reductions in a range of diseases. Recent surveys have found that British children are eating less than half the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables per day. There is also evidence to suggest that material and social context affect children’s intake. This report describes a systematic review aiming to survey what is known about the barriers to, and facilitators of, healthy eating amongst children aged four to 10 years old. It focuses in particular on barriers and facilitators in relation to fruit and vegetables.
For further details of the review, click here
Children and physical activity: a systematic review of barriers and facilitators (April 2003)
Physical activity promotion is high on the public health policy agenda in the UK. Evidence regarding increased prevalence of obesity and inactivity amongst children in the UK is mounting. Children are a particularly important group, as low levels of physical activity in childhood have been linked with low levels in adulthood. Material and social context affect children's participation in physical activity, with those at greatest risk of inactivity belonging to groups considered to be 'socially excluded'.This review was undertaken to address what is known about the barriers to, and facilitators of, physical activity amongst children aged four to 10. It aimed to bring together the findings from 'qualitative' as well as 'quantitative' research on these barriers and facilitators.
For further details of the review, click here
Young men and suicide prevention: a scoping exercise for a review of the effectiveness of health promotion interventions of relevance to suicide prevention in young men
Suicide prevention amongst young men aged under 35 is an urgent health policy priority in the UK. Although there is currently an incomplete picture of risk and protective factors, promising health promotion approaches may include strengthening communication and support for problems between young men and their peers, families, friends, advice services, GPs, and other professionals. This project undertook a scoping exercise to identify whether systematic reviews which might help to identify effective health promotion interventions of relevance to suicide prevention amongst young men aged 19-34 have already been carried out; and if not, what a new review in this area might look like.
For further details of the review, click here
Barriers to, and facilitators of, the health of young people: A systematic review of evidence on young peoples views and on interventions in mental health, physical activity and healthy eating
This review synthesises the results of three previous reviews:
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Young people and mental health: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators
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Young people and healthy eating: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators
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Young people and physical activity: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators
For further details of the review, click here
Young people and physical activity: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators
Physical activity promotion is high on the health policy agenda in the UK. Evidence regarding increased prevalence of obesity and inactivity amongst young people is mounting. Our objectives were to provide a summary of evidence to help develop, implement and evaluate interventions for promoting physical activity amongst young people. We had a particular focus on young people from socially excluded groups and upon interventions targeting structural or environmental barriers to physical activity (e.g. poor access to facilities).
For further details of the review, click here
Young people and healthy eating: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators
The promotion of good nutrition is high on the health policy agenda in the UK. Young people are a particularly important group, as poor eating habits established during teenage years may be maintained into adulthood, creating a number of cardiovascular and other health-related problems later in life. Putting policy into practice means developing and implementing effective interventions for, and with, young people. Our objectives were to provide a summary of evidence to help develop, implement and evaluate interventions for promoting physical activity amongst young people. We had a particular focus on young people at greatest risk for poor nutrition from socially excluded groups and upon interventions targeting ‘structural’ or ‘environmental’ (e.g. access to healthy foods) barriers to healthy eating.
For further details of the review, click here
Young people and mental health: a systematic review of research on barriers and facilitators
Promoting good mental health has been identified as a high priority for health policy, and young people are a key group for action. Our objectives were to provide a summary of evidence to help develop, implement and evaluate interventions for promoting good mental health amongst young people. We had a particular focus on young people from socially excluded groups and upon interventions to prevent suicide and self-harm, and associated depression, and the promotion of self-esteem and coping strategies.
For further details of the review, click here
A review of the effectiveness and appropriateness of peer-delivered health promotion interventions for young people
Using peers to deliver health promotion interventions to young people is an increasingly fashionable strategy, especially in Europe and North America. It is based on the assumption that peers may be seen as more credible sources of information than adult, professionally trained, health educators, and may be particularly helpful in reaching 'at risk' young people. The aim of this review was to examine critically the claim that the peer-delivered approach is a more appropriate and effective method of promoting young people's health than more traditional approaches.
For further details of the review, click here
Effectiveness reviews in health promotion
This study investigated the methods used to conduct; reviews of the effectiveness of health promotion interventions. It aimed to determine how different review methods affected the conclusions drawn, and to make recommendations on how effectiveness reviews in health promotion should be carried out.
For further details of the review, click here
PHASE: Promoting Health After Sifting the Evidence
With a growing commitment to evidence-based health services, there is an urgent need for information about the effectiveness of health promotion to be readily available and understood by people providing and purchasing services. The aim of this project was to help people purchasing and providing health promotion services develop the skills they need to make sense of evidence about effectiveness.
For further details of the review, click here
A descriptive mapping of health promotion studies in young people
We aimed to explore the literature on health promotion for young people, specifically in the areas of accident prevention, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, sexual health and substance abuse, in order to describe the needs and views of young people with respect to their health and the range of interventions undertaken, and to make recommendations for future research.
For further details of the review, click here
Review of effectiveness of health promotion interventions for men who have sex with men
Men who have sex with men are the largest group of people affected by HIV/AIDS in the industrialized west. There are indications that the behavioural changes of the early 1980s in the direction of safer sexual behaviour have not been maintained. This study identifies and critically reviews health promotion interventions in HIV prevention and sexual health for men who have sex with men, in order to inform future prevention strategy in the UK.
For further details of the review, click here
Reports available offline
To obtain these, contact us.
Review of effectiveness of sexual health promotion interventions for young people (March 1996)
Young people and smoking (May 1995)
Review of effectiveness of workplace health promotion interventions (November 1994)
Review of effectiveness of health promotion interventions to prevent accidents in older people (June 1995)
*Effectiveness of health promotion interventions in the workplace: a review (1998) available from the Health Development Agency
* updated