Using Asset Mapping to Engage Youth in Community-Based Participatory Research: The WE Project.

BACKGROUND: Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, the Wellness Engagement (WE) community partners conducted an asset mapping study as the first step in a comprehensive needs assessment to identify existing and potential assets that could be used to promote better health.
OBJECTIVES: We used asset mapping as a systematic approach to 1) empower local youth and urban planning students to identify community assets related to physical activity and nutrition and 2) facilitate co-learning between youth and university students to identify assets that could be considered for future pilot interventions that address obesity.
METHODS: We created five teams of local youth led by an urban planning college student that identified and collated existing and potential assets useful for health promotion.
RESULTS: Existing and potential assets were grouped into 12 categories significant for promoting physical activity and healthy food options. Of the 358 identified, 18% were potential assets. Youth and students reported that the collective process enabled them to see assets and the community with new perspective. DISCUSSION: An asset mapping approach that partners local experts (youth) with outside experts (urban planning students) within a larger CBPR framework is an effective model to promote co-learning and appreciating the value of differing expertise.