Multi-component interventions to reducing unhealthy diets and physical inactivity among adolescents and youth in sub-Saharan Africa (Generation H)

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The fragile health systems in urban sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are already overwhelmed with NCDs. Despite this, the implementationof the evidence-based WHO Best Buys policies for NCDs prevention in the African region has been found to be off-track. Additionally,less attention has been given to adolescents and yet this is a period in life where behavioural patterns of NCDs risk factors are establishedand track into adulthood. There is also a gap in our understanding on how to implement and scale up effective diet and physical activityinterventions in real world settings in SSA. Our project therefore aims to reduce two important modifiable risk factors for NCDs:unhealthy diets and physical inactivity and their underlying social determinants among adolescents (aged 10-19 years) living in mixedsocio-economic urban communities in two SSA countries (Ghana & Kenya) by designing, deploying, and evaluating strategies forimplementation of evidenced and theory based interventions mapped on to the WHO Best Buys. We selected the two countries becausethey represent different cultural contexts of nutrition transition (East and West Africa), and both countries are undergoing rapid economicdevelopment, urbanisation and increases in NCD prevalence. The intervention delivery will take a multi-sectoral approach to increasingthe capability, opportunity and motivation of adolescents to eat healthier and be more physically active. We will focus on three settingsto enhance the reach: secondary schools and, family/community/faith-based settings and the digital environment using social media.Together, this project will increase opportunities, awareness, knowledge and health literacy, motivate adolescentsto increase self-efficacy,guide self-regulatory actions and adopt positive health behaviour (such as dissuasion from physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours,or unhealthy food choices) to prevent NCDs.