Healthy kids vids: Development and acceptability of narrative healthy lifestyle videos and text messages for parents of young children from socioeconomically disadvantaged populations.

ABSTRACT

ISSUE ADDRESSED Dietary intake and physical activity behaviours of many Australian children are not meeting recommendations, particularly for those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged circumstances. This study aimed to design and assess the feasibility and acceptability of a suite of narrative videos and text messages focused on healthy eating and physical activity behaviours appropriate for parents of young children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. METHODS: Parents of 1-5-year-old children (n = 6) were recruited to develop a suite of 12 narrative videos on healthy eating and physical activity behaviours, underpinned by theory. Twelve complementary text messages were subsequently developed. A different group of parents (n = 16) recruited from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas reviewed the videos and text messages over 6 weeks and provided feedback via surveys and qualitative interviews (n = 13). RESULTS: There was a high level of engagement with and acceptability of the videos and text message content. Participants found the videos easy to access and they liked the narrative style. Screen time videos and text messages relating to screen time, play and physical activity, role modelling and fussy eating were most useful. CONCLUSIONS: Narrative style healthy eating, physical activity and screen time videos and complementary text messages were highly acceptable to the sample of parents of 1-5-year-old children from socioeconomically disadvantaged areas recruited from the Illawarra Shoalhaven region of NSW, Australia. SO WHAT? Short narrative style videos and text messages are an easy to process and acceptable method of delivering healthy lifestyle promotion content to parents.