We use Participatory Action Research, so together with parents and their immediate social environment, we gain as many insights possible from Amsterdam Nieuw-West. These are insights into what parents with young children encounter, which solutions are possible for them and whether they are effective.
With Systems Science we use a systemic approach to map all factors concerning a healthy start and study which are most important. This allows us to learn exactly which buttons to push to increase the chance of a healthy start.
The scientific research of Food4Smiles is aimed at sharing all insights nationally and internationally with policymakers, researchers and care providers.
Through the art projects, we obtain additional insights and we increase the visibility of Food4Smiles. By doing this, the importance of a healthy start is known to everyone in the Amsterdam Nieuw-West.
Food4Smiles is a unique project that focuses on a healthy start for every child. It combines research, practice, and policy and is a collaboration between Amsterdam Nieuw-West, VU University Amsterdam (Department of Health Sciences), Fred Foundation, the Municipality of Amsterdam (the Amsterdam Healthy Weight Program and the Amsterdam Health and Opportunity Program), and Sarphati Amsterdam.