Children eight to twelve years of age have clear opinions about Positive Health

Abstract Introduction Positive Health (PH) focuses on the ability to maintain control over one’s own health, also for children. This study explores how primary school children eight to twelve years of age think about the concept of PH and the dimensions of PH as described in the child tool. Methods A qualitative research method was applied, in which 25 semi-structured interviews consisting of eight questions were conducted. Results Children mainly think of nutrition, exercise and ‘feeling good’ when asked what PG means. More specifically on the different dimensions, for ‘My body’ they mainly think about sleeping, healthy eating and exercise. For ‘My feelings and thoughts’, they mainly mention being happy, sad or angry and also for ‘feeling good about yourself’ they mainly talk about emotions and feeling good where appearance is important. The dimension ‘Now and later’ is mainly about occupation later, according to the children. Friends and bullying are terms mentioned in the dimension ‘Participation’ and being able to do what they feel like is most important in the dimension ‘Daily life’. For children, the dimensions ‘Feeling good about yourself’ and ‘My feelings and thoughts’ are most important. In addition, ‘Participating’ is important where having fun with friends is particularly mentioned by all children. Conclusions Children aged eight to twelve years of age perceive PH more than just the physical component and recognise all the dimensions of PH be it in their own words. Where children of all ages value the dimensions ‘Feeling good about yourself’, ‘My feelings and thoughts’ and ‘Participating’ most, these dimensions become even more important with increasing age. For teachers, youth health professionals and parents/carers this might imply, first, that the concept of Positive Health could be used as a tool when talking about being and staying healthy. Second, interventions might be more effective when aligned to children’s perceptions and language. Key messages • The concept of Positive Health could be used as a tool when talking about being and staying healthy. • Interventions might be more effective when aligned to children’s perceptions and language.