Are we getting through to them? And in what way?” Communicating physical activity with adolescents.

Adolescents’ have low health literacy and limited knowledge, awareness, and beliefs about physical activity- factors that are critical for developing lifelong healthy behaviours. However, the relationship between these constructs are not well understood. 

Firstly, this study examined how adolescents health literacy levels relate to their knowledge, beliefs, and awareness about physical activity particularly within schools implementing a whole-of-school, multi-component physical activity programme (Active School Flag). The Active School Flag programme includes a ‘Did you know?’ communications campaign that aims to raise awareness about physical activity benefits and opportunities. Secondly, this study explored the efforts used to communicate physical activity messages within the schools. 

We found that higher health literacy levels are associated with being female and with having stronger physical activity knowledge and beliefs. However, the communication of physical activity messages within Active School Flag schools was often inconsistent and lacked planning, making it difficult to draw comparisons and determine what works.

By providing clear support and guidance for communicating physical activity message, whole-of-school programmes can create more health literate school environments and empower adolescents to better understand, value and engage in physical activity.

Grady, C. L., Murtagh, E., Ng, K., Bengoechea, E. G., Woods, C. B. “Are we getting through to them? And in what way?” Communicating physical activity with adolescents. Health Promotion International 40, 4 (2025) https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf062

Caera Grady is a 4^th year PhD student and is supervised by Prof Catherine Woods and Prof Elaine Murtagh. Her research focuses on physical activity promotion in the school setting specifically with adolescents. She uses mixed methods to explore complex intervention implementation and evaluation, co-creation and participatory research. Contact Caera via email: caera.grady@ul.ie or on X @caeragrady2011