Mixed-methods evaluation of an e-learning toolkit for promoting healthy weight in the early years (HealthyWEY)

James Harrison*, J C Abayomi, Shaima Hassan, Lawrence Foweather, Clare Maxwell, Deborah A. McCann, Sarah Garbett, Maria Nugent, Daisy Bradbury, Hannah Timpson, Lorna Porcellato, Marian Judd, Anna Chisholm, Nabil Issac, Beth Wolfenden, amy greenhalgh, Paula Watson

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Despite being well-positioned to promote healthy lifestyles in young children, early years practitioners often face barriers to supporting child weight management. This mixed-methods study aimed to assess the preliminary effectiveness and acceptability of an e-learning toolkit (HealthyWEY) designed to upskill and support multi-agency professionals to promote healthy weight in early childhood. A total of 54 health visitors/community nursery nurses, 38 children’s centre staff and 17 other health professionals engaged with the HealthyWEY e-learning, which drew on self-determination theory and consisted of nine modules that were completed over 7–10 weeks. Non-parametric statistical analysis using Wilcoxon’s signed-rank tests were used to explore participants’ practice-based knowledge, psychological needs satisfaction and motivations for prioritising pre-school child weight from pre- to post-intervention. Focus groups (n = 11) were conducted with a sub-sample of multi-agency professionals (n = 39) to explore the process of implementation across sites, while interviews were also conducted with two parents/carers who took part in consultations with HealthyWEY-trained practitioners. After completing the HealthyWEY e-learning, participants perceived fewer barriers to pre-school child weight management (median change = −0.7; p < 0.001), greater autonomy (median change = 0.7, p < 0.001), competence (median change = 0.8, p < 0.001) and relatedness (median change = 0.4, p < 0.001) and a higher autonomous motivation towards promoting healthy weight (median change = 0.3, p < 0.001). E-learning was perceived to be highly relevant to participants’ roles and congruent with local child weight strategies. Challenges to implementation included time constraints and disruptions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations for a better user experience were offered by enhancing the toolkit’s design and interactivity. Engagement with the HealthyWEY e-learning led to promising changes in perceived barriers and motivational variables. The toolkit was perceived to be acceptable amongst multi-agency workforces, albeit challenging to prioritise within time-pressured health and early years settings.
Original languageEnglish
Article number137
Pages (from-to)1-21
Number of pages21
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume22
Issue number2
Early online date21 Jan 2025
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Jan 2025

Keywords

  • physical activity
  • obesity
  • diet
  • early years
  • maternity
  • acceptability

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