Dijkstra
Biographic Data
| ID | 4422867 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Dijkstra |
| FAMILY NAME | Dijkstra |
| SIGNATURE | DIJKSTRA |
| AFFILIATIONS | Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5567-4606 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 29 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 22 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 29 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
A participatory needs assessment to map the system dynamics of overweight related behaviours of 10-14-year-old adolescents living in an underserved neighbourhood in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Our novel approach combining PAR with systems thinking gained valuable insights into the system dynamics of EBRBs from the adolescent perspective. These insights can inform future interventions targeting systems change regarding EBRBs
Identifying mechanisms that shape the food environment in long-term healthcare facilities in the Netherlands
This study gained a comprehensive, collectively acknowledged understanding of the system dynamics underlying the food environment in Dutch long-term healthcare institutions. The results underscore the importance of crafting a coherent set of actions that addresses various factors and underlying mechanisms to initiate systemic change. However, achieving actual system changes in long-term healthcare facilities requires prolonged efforts and overcom…
Exploring Dutch municipal advertising restrictions on unhealthy and unsustainable products
This study is the first to examine municipal advertisement restrictions in the Netherlands. • Municipal advertising restrictions were often initiated by a left-wing council member. • Existing momentum and favourable political climate facilitated policy development. • Lack of political support formed a barrier for policy development. • Policy consistency facilitated the implementation of advertisement restrictions. This study examined the perspect…
Applying systems thinking in youth-centred participatory action research for health promotion in an underserved neighbourhood
Purpose: Childhood overweight is considered a complex problem influenced by a range of factors, including energy balance-related behaviours (EBRBs) and interacting drivers of these behaviours. There is growing support that applying a systems approach is required to tackle complex problems resulting in actions that attempt to change the system's dynamics. Additionally, a participatory approach is advocated to include the lived experience of the po…
Understanding the system dynamics of obesity-related behaviours in 10- to 14-year-old adolescents in Amsterdam from a multi-actor perspective
Introduction and Methods: To develop an understanding of the dynamics driving obesity-related behaviours in adolescents, we conducted systems-based analysis on a causal loop diagram (CLD) created from a multi-actor perspective, including academic researchers, adolescents and local stakeholders. Results: The CLD contained 121 factors and 31 feedback loops. We identified six subsystems with their goals: (1) interaction between adolescents and the f…
A qualitative study exploring the perceptions of children, parents and school staff towards the development and implementation of school lunch provision within primary schools in the Netherlands
Perceptions of children, parents and school staff about a school provided lunch are mixed. A complex intervention such as a new school lunch program is difficult to envisage for all parties involved and more research is needed regarding the effects, organization, logistics and the costs of school lunch provision in the Netherlands
Content of lunchboxes of Dutch primary school children and their perceptions of alternative healthy school lunch concepts
Objective: To investigate the content of lunchboxes of primary school children and to examine children’s support and preferences for alternative healthy school lunch concepts. Design: A cross-sectional study among Dutch children from seven primary schools. The content of the lunchboxes was assessed by photographs. Support and preferences for alternative lunch concepts were examined via a self-reported questionnaire. Linear regression analyses wer…
A qualitative study on the perspectives of Turkish mothers and grandmothers in the Netherlands regarding the influence of grandmothers on health related practices in the first 1000 days of a child’s l…
This study shows that grandmothers and the wider social community play an influential role in supporting a healthy first 1000 days of a child's life. The strong involvement of grandmothers may lead to tension between the mothers and grandmothers when their ideas about healthy practices are not in agreement and may lead to unhealthy practices. In targeting this wider social community, it is important to consider the various socio-cultural factors …
The Healthy Supermarket Coach
Supermarkets located near schools influence adolescents’ food consumption. The aims of this study were (1) to measure dietary behaviors during school hours, (2) to investigate the effect of a nutrition peer-education intervention in supermarkets within walking distance to secondary schools on nutritional knowledge and attitudes toward healthy eating, and (3) to assess how the intervention was appraised by adolescents with a lower education level.…
Supporting parents and healthy behaviours through parent-child meetings – a qualitative study in the Netherlands
This study indicated that parent-child meetings contributed to enhancing parental knowledge, skills and practices regarding healthy behaviours of their children. This could potentially benefit the health of children during the first 2 years of their lives. In particular, the peer support of other parents, the hands-on workshops, and the concrete advice and information provided in an informal setting were highly valued by parents. Future parent su…
Does the neighbourhood food environment contribute to ethnic differences in diet quality? Results from the Helius study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Objective: The aim of the current study was to establish whether the neighbourhood food environment, characterised by the healthiness of food outlets, the diversity of food outlets and fast-food outlet density within a 500 m or 1000 m street network buffer around the home address, contributed to ethnic differences in diet quality. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Participants: Data on adult participants o…
How healthy and processed are foods and drinks promoted in supermarket sales flyers? A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands
Objective: To investigate to what extent promotions in Dutch supermarket sales flyers contribute to a healthy diet and whether there are differences between supermarket types. Design: A cross-sectional study investigating promotions on foods and beverages ( n 7825) in supermarket sales flyers from thirteen Dutch supermarket chains (8-week period), including ten traditional, two discount and one organic supermarket chain(s). Promoted products were…
Eating behavior and food purchases during the Covid-19 lockdown
A System Dynamics and Participatory Action Research Approach to Promote Healthy Living and a Healthy Weight among 10–14-Year-Old Adolescents in Amsterdam
This paper describes the design of the LIKE programme, which aims to tackle the complex problem of childhood overweight and obesity in 10-14-year-old adolescents using a systems dynamics and participatory approach. The LIKE programme focuses on the transition period from 10-years-old to teenager and was implemented in collaboration with the Amsterdam Healthy Weight Programme (AHWP) in Amsterdam-East, the Netherlands. The aim is to develop, implem…
Parental Perspectives and Experiences in Relation to Lifestyle-Related Practices in the First Two Years of a Child’s Life
The first two years of a child's life are a critical period in preventing several lifestyle-related health problems. A qualitative study was conducted to explore parental experiences and perspectives in relation to lifestyle-related child-rearing practices in order to minimize risk factors at an early stage. Data were collected through interviews ( n = 25) and focus groups ( n = 4) with parents of children aged 0-2 years, in a disadvantaged neigh…
Can Healthy Checkout Counters Improve Food Purchases? Two Real-Life Experiments in Dutch Supermarkets
Most snacks displayed at supermarket checkouts do not contribute to a healthy diet. We investigated the effects of introducing healthier snack alternatives at checkouts in supermarkets on purchasing behavior. In Study 1, we investigated the effect of completely substituting less healthy with healthier snacks (one supermarket). In Study 2, we investigated the effect of placing and discounting healthier snacks while the less healthy snacks remain i…
Improving dietary intake during lunch through the provision of a healthy school lunch at Dutch primary schools
This study is registered at the Netherlands trial register (NTR): trialregister.nl, Trial NL7402 (NTR7618), registered retrospectively at 2018-11-13
Can unhealthy food purchases at checkout counters be discouraged by introducing healthier snacks? A real-life experiment in supermarkets in deprived urban areas in the Netherlands
This real life experiment in supermarkets showed that the placement of healthier snacks at checkouts did not lead to the substitution of unhealthy snack purchases with healthier alternatives. Although supermarket customers positively evaluated the HCC, future studies are needed to investigate other strategies to encourage healthier food purchases in supermarkets
A free-produce stand on campus
Objective: To investigate the effects of providing free fruit and snack vegetables at a university on students’ fruit intake, snack vegetable intake and total vegetable intake. Design: Free fruit and raw snack vegetables (e.g. bite-sized tomatoes) were provided in a stand in the form of a miniature wooden house located in the central hall of the university’s main building, which students regularly pass through on their way to lectures and the caf…
The role of food parcel use on dietary intake
Objective: To gain insight in Dutch food bank recipients’ perception on the content of the food parcels, their dietary intake and how the parcels contribute to their overall dietary intake. Design: Eleven semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted. Focus group topics were based on Andersons food insecurity definition: the lack of availability of nutritionally adequate foods and the assured ability to acquire foods in socially acceptab…
Social norm nudges in shopping trolleys to promote vegetable purchases
BACKGROUND: Supermarkets are a key point of purchase for groceries and can therefore have a considerable influence on eating behaviours. Evidence suggests that descriptive social norm nudges in shopping trolleys can be effective in stimulating vegetable purchases in supermarkets. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of a combination of two nudging strategies in shopping trolleys - a social norm about vegetable purchases and a designated place to…
What’s for lunch? The content and quality of lunches consumed by Dutch primary schoolchildren and the differences between lunches consumed at home and at school
The current content of the lunches consumed by Dutch primary schoolchildren leaves room for improvement, especially regarding fruit and vegetables. The statistically significantly higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and lower consumption of milk and dairy products at school vs. home is worrisome, as currently more children in the Netherlands are transitioning to having lunch at school
Fruit and vegetable intakes, associated characteristics and perceptions of current and future availability in Dutch university students
Objective To investigate fruit and vegetable (F&V) intakes of university students and associated demographic and lifestyle characteristics, and students’ perceptions of F&V availability and F&V intervention strategies in the university environment. Design Cross-sectional questionnaire data were collected; F&V intakes were measured using a food frequency tool. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to analyse the associations between d…
Obesogenic’ School Food Environments? An Urban Case Study in The Netherlands
(1) Background: This study aimed to explore and define socio-economic (SES) differences in urban school food environments in The Netherlands. (2) Methods: Retail food outlets, ready-to-eat products, in-store food promotions and food advertisements in public space were determined within 400 m walking distance of all secondary schools in the 4th largest city of The Netherlands. Fisher's exact tests were conducted. (3) Results: In total, 115 retail …
Socio-economic differences in the change of fruit and vegetable intakes among Dutch adults between 2004 and 2011
Objective To investigate socio-economic differences in changes in fruit and vegetable intake between 2004 and 2011 and explore the mediating role of financial barriers in this change. Design Respondents completed a self-reported questionnaire in 2004 and 2011, including questions on fruit and vegetable intake (frequency per week), indicators of socio-economic position (education, income) and perceived financial barriers (fruits/vegetables are exp…
Misperception of self-reported adherence to the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older Dutch adults
Social norm nudges in shopping trolleys to promote vegetable purchases
BACKGROUND: Supermarkets are a key point of purchase for groceries and can therefore have a considerable influence on eating behaviours. Evidence suggests that descriptive social norm nudges in shopping trolleys can be effective in stimulating vegetable purchases in supermarkets. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of a combination of two nudging strategies in shopping trolleys - a social norm about vegetable purchases and a designated place to…
Eating behavior and food purchases during the Covid-19 lockdown
Misperception of self-reported adherence to the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older Dutch adults
The role of perceived barriers in explaining socio-economic status differences in adherence to the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older adults
Objective We aimed to identify barriers for meeting the fruit, vegetable and fish guidelines in older Dutch adults and to investigate socio-economic status (SES) differences in these barriers. Furthermore, we examined the mediating role of these barriers in the association between SES and adherence to these guidelines. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), the Netherlands. Subjects We used data from 1057 commu…
Sowing Seeds for Healthier Diets
School gardening programmes are among the most promising interventions to improve children's vegetable intake. Yet, low vegetable intake among children remains a persistent public health challenge. This study aimed to explore children's perspectives, experiences, and motivations concerning school gardening in order to better understand and increase its potential for health promotion. Using participant observation and semi-structured interviews, w…
I Eat the Vegetables because I Have Grown them with My Own Hands’
Inadequate vegetable consumption is a global public health concern related to numerous health risks. A promising intervention to increase children's vegetable consumption is school gardening, although earlier studies have shown mixed results. This study explores how gardening might contribute to changed attitudes towards eating vegetables from a child's perspective. Findings are based on qualitative research with children in Amsterdam, the Nether…
Obesogenic’ School Food Environments? An Urban Case Study in The Netherlands
(1) Background: This study aimed to explore and define socio-economic (SES) differences in urban school food environments in The Netherlands. (2) Methods: Retail food outlets, ready-to-eat products, in-store food promotions and food advertisements in public space were determined within 400 m walking distance of all secondary schools in the 4th largest city of The Netherlands. Fisher's exact tests were conducted. (3) Results: In total, 115 retail …
Socio-economic differences in the change of fruit and vegetable intakes among Dutch adults between 2004 and 2011
Objective To investigate socio-economic differences in changes in fruit and vegetable intake between 2004 and 2011 and explore the mediating role of financial barriers in this change. Design Respondents completed a self-reported questionnaire in 2004 and 2011, including questions on fruit and vegetable intake (frequency per week), indicators of socio-economic position (education, income) and perceived financial barriers (fruits/vegetables are exp…
What’s for lunch? The content and quality of lunches consumed by Dutch primary schoolchildren and the differences between lunches consumed at home and at school
The current content of the lunches consumed by Dutch primary schoolchildren leaves room for improvement, especially regarding fruit and vegetables. The statistically significantly higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and lower consumption of milk and dairy products at school vs. home is worrisome, as currently more children in the Netherlands are transitioning to having lunch at school
Fruit and vegetable intakes, associated characteristics and perceptions of current and future availability in Dutch university students
Objective To investigate fruit and vegetable (F&V) intakes of university students and associated demographic and lifestyle characteristics, and students’ perceptions of F&V availability and F&V intervention strategies in the university environment. Design Cross-sectional questionnaire data were collected; F&V intakes were measured using a food frequency tool. Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to analyse the associations between d…
A System Dynamics and Participatory Action Research Approach to Promote Healthy Living and a Healthy Weight among 10–14-Year-Old Adolescents in Amsterdam
This paper describes the design of the LIKE programme, which aims to tackle the complex problem of childhood overweight and obesity in 10-14-year-old adolescents using a systems dynamics and participatory approach. The LIKE programme focuses on the transition period from 10-years-old to teenager and was implemented in collaboration with the Amsterdam Healthy Weight Programme (AHWP) in Amsterdam-East, the Netherlands. The aim is to develop, implem…
Parental Perspectives and Experiences in Relation to Lifestyle-Related Practices in the First Two Years of a Child’s Life
The first two years of a child's life are a critical period in preventing several lifestyle-related health problems. A qualitative study was conducted to explore parental experiences and perspectives in relation to lifestyle-related child-rearing practices in order to minimize risk factors at an early stage. Data were collected through interviews ( n = 25) and focus groups ( n = 4) with parents of children aged 0-2 years, in a disadvantaged neigh…
Can Healthy Checkout Counters Improve Food Purchases? Two Real-Life Experiments in Dutch Supermarkets
Most snacks displayed at supermarket checkouts do not contribute to a healthy diet. We investigated the effects of introducing healthier snack alternatives at checkouts in supermarkets on purchasing behavior. In Study 1, we investigated the effect of completely substituting less healthy with healthier snacks (one supermarket). In Study 2, we investigated the effect of placing and discounting healthier snacks while the less healthy snacks remain i…
Improving dietary intake during lunch through the provision of a healthy school lunch at Dutch primary schools
This study is registered at the Netherlands trial register (NTR): trialregister.nl, Trial NL7402 (NTR7618), registered retrospectively at 2018-11-13
Can unhealthy food purchases at checkout counters be discouraged by introducing healthier snacks? A real-life experiment in supermarkets in deprived urban areas in the Netherlands
This real life experiment in supermarkets showed that the placement of healthier snacks at checkouts did not lead to the substitution of unhealthy snack purchases with healthier alternatives. Although supermarket customers positively evaluated the HCC, future studies are needed to investigate other strategies to encourage healthier food purchases in supermarkets
A free-produce stand on campus
Objective: To investigate the effects of providing free fruit and snack vegetables at a university on students’ fruit intake, snack vegetable intake and total vegetable intake. Design: Free fruit and raw snack vegetables (e.g. bite-sized tomatoes) were provided in a stand in the form of a miniature wooden house located in the central hall of the university’s main building, which students regularly pass through on their way to lectures and the caf…
The role of food parcel use on dietary intake
Objective: To gain insight in Dutch food bank recipients’ perception on the content of the food parcels, their dietary intake and how the parcels contribute to their overall dietary intake. Design: Eleven semi-structured focus group discussions were conducted. Focus group topics were based on Andersons food insecurity definition: the lack of availability of nutritionally adequate foods and the assured ability to acquire foods in socially acceptab…
Social norm nudges in shopping trolleys to promote vegetable purchases
BACKGROUND: Supermarkets are a key point of purchase for groceries and can therefore have a considerable influence on eating behaviours. Evidence suggests that descriptive social norm nudges in shopping trolleys can be effective in stimulating vegetable purchases in supermarkets. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effect of a combination of two nudging strategies in shopping trolleys - a social norm about vegetable purchases and a designated place to…
The Healthy Supermarket Coach
Supermarkets located near schools influence adolescents’ food consumption. The aims of this study were (1) to measure dietary behaviors during school hours, (2) to investigate the effect of a nutrition peer-education intervention in supermarkets within walking distance to secondary schools on nutritional knowledge and attitudes toward healthy eating, and (3) to assess how the intervention was appraised by adolescents with a lower education level.…
Supporting parents and healthy behaviours through parent-child meetings – a qualitative study in the Netherlands
This study indicated that parent-child meetings contributed to enhancing parental knowledge, skills and practices regarding healthy behaviours of their children. This could potentially benefit the health of children during the first 2 years of their lives. In particular, the peer support of other parents, the hands-on workshops, and the concrete advice and information provided in an informal setting were highly valued by parents. Future parent su…
Does the neighbourhood food environment contribute to ethnic differences in diet quality? Results from the Helius study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Objective: The aim of the current study was to establish whether the neighbourhood food environment, characterised by the healthiness of food outlets, the diversity of food outlets and fast-food outlet density within a 500 m or 1000 m street network buffer around the home address, contributed to ethnic differences in diet quality. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Participants: Data on adult participants o…
How healthy and processed are foods and drinks promoted in supermarket sales flyers? A cross-sectional study in the Netherlands
Objective: To investigate to what extent promotions in Dutch supermarket sales flyers contribute to a healthy diet and whether there are differences between supermarket types. Design: A cross-sectional study investigating promotions on foods and beverages ( n 7825) in supermarket sales flyers from thirteen Dutch supermarket chains (8-week period), including ten traditional, two discount and one organic supermarket chain(s). Promoted products were…
Eating behavior and food purchases during the Covid-19 lockdown
A qualitative study on the perspectives of Turkish mothers and grandmothers in the Netherlands regarding the influence of grandmothers on health related practices in the first 1000 days of a child’s l…
This study shows that grandmothers and the wider social community play an influential role in supporting a healthy first 1000 days of a child's life. The strong involvement of grandmothers may lead to tension between the mothers and grandmothers when their ideas about healthy practices are not in agreement and may lead to unhealthy practices. In targeting this wider social community, it is important to consider the various socio-cultural factors …
Understanding the system dynamics of obesity-related behaviours in 10- to 14-year-old adolescents in Amsterdam from a multi-actor perspective
Introduction and Methods: To develop an understanding of the dynamics driving obesity-related behaviours in adolescents, we conducted systems-based analysis on a causal loop diagram (CLD) created from a multi-actor perspective, including academic researchers, adolescents and local stakeholders. Results: The CLD contained 121 factors and 31 feedback loops. We identified six subsystems with their goals: (1) interaction between adolescents and the f…
A qualitative study exploring the perceptions of children, parents and school staff towards the development and implementation of school lunch provision within primary schools in the Netherlands
Perceptions of children, parents and school staff about a school provided lunch are mixed. A complex intervention such as a new school lunch program is difficult to envisage for all parties involved and more research is needed regarding the effects, organization, logistics and the costs of school lunch provision in the Netherlands
Content of lunchboxes of Dutch primary school children and their perceptions of alternative healthy school lunch concepts
Objective: To investigate the content of lunchboxes of primary school children and to examine children’s support and preferences for alternative healthy school lunch concepts. Design: A cross-sectional study among Dutch children from seven primary schools. The content of the lunchboxes was assessed by photographs. Support and preferences for alternative lunch concepts were examined via a self-reported questionnaire. Linear regression analyses wer…
Medicine (27 works) · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet (23 works) · Environmental health (20 works) · Psychology (13 works) · Public health (13 works) · Nursing (12 works) · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling (10 works) · Gerontology (10 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Biostatistics (8 works)