Supporting children’s nutritional health in Jamaica
Ifeoluwa Makinde researches school’s role in encouraging healthy food and drink choices in pupils – which can shape the rest of their lives.
Ifeoluwa’s project is all about health and well-being for children in Jamaica. She’s investigating the reasons behind secondary school students' food and drink choices, and how they could be encouraged to be healthier.
With her project partners and the schools, Ifeoluwa will use this understanding to develop an intervention that encourages students to drink more water and fewer sugary drinks.
Ifeoluwa is working with civic and health organisations on the project, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO) Jamaica, and Jamaica’s Ministries of Education and Youth, and Health and Wellness.
Working with young people
Reducing childhood obesity is a global health priority. How young people eat, and their nutritional education, can influence their long-term health outcomes.
This means that schools have a crucial role to play in building lifelong healthy behaviours in their pupils.
Ifeoluwa interviewed young people in Jamaica to find out what they eat and drink, and how they make those choices. She will hold workshops with the research partners, schools and community members to understand what they need and what their barriers to supporting healthier diet choices might be.
“Communication drives research,” Ifeoluwa said. “From explaining project goals to funders and getting stakeholders on board, to engaging with participants, clear communication is essential.
“I experienced this firsthand while recruiting participants for interviews, ensuring they understood the purpose of the research helped in gaining their trust and valuable insights.”
This collaboration will inform the toolkit and interventions she creates for the communities.
What excites me most is the potential impact of this project. If we achieve positive results, we could help shape healthier dietary habits for children in Jamaica and, eventually, in other Caribbean nations.
Toolkit for schools
Ifeoluwa will develop a toolkit for schools in Jamaica that will include evidence-based strategies for improving student health and well-being, by nudging them toward healthier food and drink choices.
She hopes that the team could create positive canteen and tuck shop environments that encourage healthy diet choices.
While the research focuses on schools, it’ll create insights into behavioural interventions that can be applied to similar settings to improve child nutrition across Jamaica and beyond.
Ifeoluwa said: “What excites me most is the potential impact of this project. If we achieve positive results, we could help shape healthier dietary habits for children in Jamaica and, eventually, in other Caribbean nations. I envision schools implementing our strategies and seeing real improvements in children's health and well-being.”
The project’s impact will span across policy, civic and industry partners, including government agencies, national and international health organizations, school boards, and local communities.
The findings will inform policy decisions and guide nutrition programs, contributing to global public health.
About Ifeoluwa
Ifeoluwa Makinde is a Research Officer at the School of Food Science and Nutrition. She has a strong background in nutrition and she’s passionate about improving public health.
“While studying for my degree in Nutrition with Public Health Management, I developed a deeper understanding of the factors influencing dietary habits and the rising prevalence of childhood obesity, which sparked my keen interest in child nutrition," she said.
Her research focused on school-based nutrition interventions and explored strategies to influence children’s dietary choices.
She has volunteered as a nutrition educator and worked as a Dietetic Assistant at the NHS, both of which have given her practical experience of giving nutritional advice, education and support. She said:
“When I came across the Research Officer vacancy, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to apply my skills while aligning with my long-term career aspirations. The chance to work with Dr Hannah Ensaff, an expert in public health and nutrition was particularly exciting, as it offered me a strong foundation and expert guidance for a career in research. The University of Leeds’s reputation as a world-class research institution fuelled my enthusiasm, providing the ideal environment to sharpen my research skills.
“I love the opportunity this study has given me to travel, meet new people, experience different cultures, and build professional relationships. Moving forward, I hope to continue in child nutrition research and eventually replicate this study in Nigeria, contributing to better nutrition outcomes for children in my home country.”
Her current research project is funded by the International Strategy Fund (ISF) Global Challenges for Transdisciplinary Partnerships, in partnership with World Health Organization Behavioural Insights Unit.