Folkhälsan researchers receive funding to promote physical activity among adolescents

– We are focusing on contexts that have previously been overlooked, including rural areas in Finland, and also Swedish-speaking populations, says project researcher Josefine Kailaheimo-Björkqvist. 

The project will be carried out in municipalities of Nykarleby, Salo and region of Åland Islands. The goal is to develop feasible and locally adapted solutions that strengthen young people’s physical activity, well-being, and brain health.

First, the researchers will analyze existing quantitative data from the DAGIS project and the national LIITU study to identify environmental factors linked to low physical activity. After that, they will conduct focus group interviews with young people to get a deeper understanding of the adolescents’ perspectives on how the everyday environments either discourage or encourage physical activity. The adolescents will also be invited to take part in a photovoice study, where they will spend one week photographing and documenting environments where they enjoy being physically active, and also environments with barriers to physical activity. 

– Photovoice is a relatively new research method that has proved popular among young people in international studies, says Kailaheimo-Björkqvist.

Innovative ways to involve adolescents in science 

Finally, the researchers will work with adolescents, schools, families, and municipal actors in co-design workshops to come up with practical solutions for change. 

– The evaluation panel specifically highlighted the project’s design. One of its strengths is the collaboration with stakeholders and participants. They thought that both the co-design workshops and the photovoice concept were innovative approaches to research, which have not been done very much before in Finland, says senior scientist Eva Roos. 

The purpose is to develop feasible solutions that the municipalities and regions can implement in order to strengthen young people’s physical activity, well-being and brain health.

– We’re looking to work in everyday environments, at home, at school and in local communities, says Kailaheimo-Björkqvist. 

The research project aims to reduce inequalities in opportunities for physical activity and provide new tools for communities, regions and policymakers.

– Regular physical activity is a way to promote brain health. Physical activity is linked to both mental well-being and to cognitive function, learning and sleep, says Eva Roos. 

The Research Council of Finland has awarded EUR 450,019 in funding within the Academy Programme for Sport Science and Physical Activity (ACTIVE) for the project ”Everyday Environments and Physical Activity Inequalities among Adolescents in Finland: A Mixed-Methods Study with Focus on Rural and Swedish-Speaking Communities”. The total budget for the project is EUR 643,000 (the Research Council of Finland’s share is 70% of the total budget and Folkhälsan’s 30%). The funding period starts on September 1, 2026 and lasts for three years.