In the realm of public health, where dietary guidelines are often seen as dry, unengaging, and out of touch, a group of young people in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, have taken a bold and innovative approach. They have not only developed their own set of guidelines for healthy eating but have also launched a social media campaign to promote them, achieving over 1.48 million impressions and more than 19,000 engagement actions at a total cost of NZ$125,000. This is not just a story of successful youth engagement; it's a testament to the power of co-design and the potential for young people to drive meaningful change in public health policy. Personally, I think this is a fascinating development that could signal a shift in how dietary guidelines are created and disseminated, particularly in New Zealand. What makes this particularly fascinating is the role of the young people in the process. The guidelines, known as the Manaora Rangatahi Guidelines for Eating and Wellbeing, were developed by 17 rangatahi (young people) from four schools in Hawke's Bay. These young people were not just passive recipients of information; they were active participants in the creation and dissemination of the guidelines. In my opinion, this is a powerful example of how youth engagement can lead to more effective and relevant public health policies. The process of co-design, where young people and experts work together, is a crucial aspect of this success. The young people provided their input and experiences, while experts provided the scientific knowledge. This approach not only ensures that the guidelines are relevant and effective but also fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among the young people. From my perspective, this is a model that could be replicated in other settings, particularly in New Zealand, where there is a growing recognition of the importance of youth engagement in public health. One thing that immediately stands out is the impact of the social media campaign. The young people took the lead in creating the campaign, guiding the researchers on how to share the information, how it would look, and which Māori influencers to work with. This level of involvement and creativity is a testament to the power of youth engagement and the potential for social media to be a powerful tool for public health promotion. What many people don't realize is that the guidelines themselves are not just about eating; they cover a wide range of topics, including sleep, physical activity, and cyber safety. This holistic approach is a key strength of the guidelines and reflects the young people's understanding of the interconnectedness of health and wellbeing. If you take a step back and think about it, this project raises a deeper question: How can we better engage young people in public health policy and ensure that the guidelines are relevant and effective for them? A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of Māori constructs in the guidelines. The young people incorporated Māori concepts and values into the guidelines, which adds a layer of cultural relevance and significance. This is a powerful example of how cultural heritage can be integrated into public health policies, making them more meaningful and impactful for the community. What this really suggests is that co-design and youth engagement can lead to more effective and culturally sensitive public health policies. In conclusion, the young people of Hawke's Bay have achieved something remarkable with their healthy eating guidelines and social media campaign. Their success is a testament to the power of youth engagement and the potential for co-design to drive meaningful change in public health policy. Personally, I believe that this project could be a model for other communities, particularly in New Zealand, where there is a growing recognition of the importance of youth engagement in public health. It raises the question: How can we better engage young people in public health policy and ensure that the guidelines are relevant and effective for them?
