Declines in physical activity levels, increases in sedentary activity levels and a decline in the quality of our dietary intake are recognized contributing factors to the increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents. 

Whilst schools are considered to be in unique positions to play pivotal roles in promoting health and preventing obesity, relatively few secondary school-based obesity prevention studies have been conducted and evidence for their effectiveness is limited. 

The CHASE (Creating Healthy Adolescents and secondary School Environments) project used a participatory planning model to understand school environments and identify a range of factors which influence adolescent physical activity and nutrition behaviours.  The project involved Principals, teachers, students and parents to identify factors associated with adolescent overweight and obesity, and the social conditions within local school environments which influence adolescent overweight and obesity and related health behaviours.  

This presentation will demonstrate how a comprehensive planning framework was used to assess local school environments and identify the range of objective and subjective factors which promote or hinder adolescents to develop healthy behaviours in relation to physical activity and nutrition.  These factors may be used as key areas for focus in developing future school-based health promotion interventions.