AHEAD was a two-year feasibility study incorporating two of the phases in the MRC’s framework for evaluating complex interventions.

Phase I involved the development of a schools-based peer-led intervention to increase physical activity and healthy eating amongst Year 8 students, based on existing evidence and focus group discussions with key stakeholders. This phase also included a pilot study in one school.

Phase II comprised an exploratory trial of the peer-led intervention in six secondary schools (three randomised to participate in the intervention and three to act as control schools).  The study included a process evaluation and an economic evaluation.

Phase I: Focus groups and pilot study

• Six focus group discussions (each involving 8 participants) held with young people aged 11-13 years, and interviews with other stakeholders e.g. health promotion and public health experts, teachers, school nurses, youth workers and parents.
• Develop schools-based peer-led intervention to increase physical activity and healthy eating amongst Year 8 students, based on existing evidence and focus group discussions with key stakeholders. This phase also included a pilot study in one school.

Phase II: Exploratory trial

• Six schools recruited to the exploratory trial. Three randomised to receive the intervention and three to act as control schools.
• Primary outcomes measured: changes in levels of physical activity (activity counts per minute over a specified period of days) and changes in target food consumption (portions of target foods consumed over the same period of days).
• Detailed, mainly qualitative, process evaluation carried out, to investigate the acceptability of the training to students, teachers, school nurses, parents and schools, and to record the trainers’ views.
• Quantitative data collected on physical activity and target food consumption in all six schools at baseline, immediately post-intervention and at six months post-intervention.
• Economic evaluation assessed the costs of the peer supporter training programme.

Project dates

01 Oct 2007 - 01 Sep 2009

Principle Investigator

Prof. Rona Campbell

Publications: 

Bell S, Audrey S, Cooper A, Noble S, Campbell R. ‘Lessons from a peer-led obesity prevention programme in English schools’ Health Promotion International 2014. First published online: 6 April 2014.

Audrey, S., Bell, S., Hughes, R., Campbell, R. (2012) ‘Adolescent perspectives on wearing accelerometers to measure physical activity in population-based trials’ European Journal of Public Health 22(3)