1. Maira Quintanilha
October 3rd, 2011

2. To understand what a poster is
To give you some tips on how to create an
effective poster
ff i
To show you some examples
To discuss the communication of research –
Barriers & Enablers

3. BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTHY
EATING STRATEGIES IN SCHOOLS IN ALBERTA
Background
In June 2008, the Government of Alberta released the Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for
Children and Youth aiming to provide schools with a tool to help children and youth make
healthy food choices. The purpose of this research was to investigate what factors influenced
the adoption and implementation of the guidelines and what healthy eating strategies schools
in Alberta implemented due to the guidelines. Barriers and facilitators to implementation
were also investigated.
Methods
We used a multiple case study design. Three case studies – Cases A, B and C – were
conducted i urban schools i Alb
d d in b h l in Alberta. I total, 18 k i f
In l key informants among school staff were
h l ff
interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Direct observations were conducted in
each school setting to supplement and corroborate interview findings. Content analysis was
used to analyse thematic content of data using both inductive and deductive approaches.
Results
Personal factors (e.g. personal beliefs, interests and experiences) commonly motivated school
staff members to support the adoption and implementation of the guidelines. Changes in the
schools’ food environment and nutrition education were often described as healthy eating
strategies implemented within Cases A, B and C after the uptake of the guidelines. The
presence and work of health champions, and the support of school superintendents, were
identified by key informants as factors that facilitated the adoption and implementation of the
guidelines. In contrast, parents’ point of view, income challenges and lower education levels
were commonly described as barriers to the successful adoption and implementation of the
guidelines.
Conclusions
It is of the utmost importance to involve parents in comprehensive school-based healthy
p p p y
eating programs in order to increase their awareness and support for healthy eating strategies.
Having a school champion may help encourage schools to adopt and implement healthy
eating innovations based on sound nutrition guidelines.
Key words: Child and youth obesity. School-based interventions.

4. An illustrated abstract
Advertises your research
Combines text and graphics to make a
visually pleasing presentation
Should quickly and efficiently communicate
your research
Needs to be eye-catching!!!

5. g p
Interesting title (if possible, make it short)
Appropriate font sizes
Title (72)
Authors (40)
Content (32)
Specific, organized sections
S ifi i d i
Posters with approximately 800 words are
ideal
id l
http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign

7. 1. Select a poster template/design
Horizontal or Vertical Layout?
Use ideas and templates available online
Academic Information and Communication
Technologies - AICT website
Keep your eyes opened...
http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ssds/sd/ld/help-with/templates
http://www2 le ac uk/offices/ssds/sd/ld/help-with/templates
http://makesigns.com/SciPosters_Templates.aspx

8. 2. Academic content : What to include?
Consider your audience
What are the highlights of your research
Make it interesting and understandable f
k d d d bl for
your reader

9. 2. Academic content : What to include?
Some approximate numbers:
Abstract: do not include, unless required, 50 words
Introduction: 200 words
Methods: brief, 200 words
Results: 200 words
Conclusions: relevance to practice and research, 200
words
Others: references (not more than 10 citations) and
acknowledgements

10. POSTERS WITH
TOO MUCH TEXT!

11. 3. Select images
Be smart!
Be careful when changing the size of the image
4. Format the t
4 F t th type
Simple scripts
Appopriate size
5. Choose the colors (wisely)

12. 6. Check everything before printing your poster
Spacing
Layout
Images
Colours
Ask someone’s opinion!!!
7. Evaluate your work

15. Barriers
Inexperience
How to select what is more important
Procrastination
Time
Enablers
ab e s
Softwares (e.g., Power Point, Adobe Illustrator,
Corel Draw, Canvas)
T l available online
Tools il bl li
Student Success Centre at University of Alberta
Talk to your mentor, friends and colleagues
y , g

16. Clothing
http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign