School-based health promotions targeted at improving nutrition and increasing physical activity are seen by governments and public health experts as integral to reducing obesity among children even though such promotions often produce disappointing results. This mixed methods research involving six case schools explored the application of marketing theory in educational settings and postulates that marketing communications processes are relevant when facilitating school-based health promotions. The research intention was to determine the impact of communication processes on the implementation of school-based health promotions by investigating children‘s exposure to promotions and outcomes of promotions. Hence stakeholder perceptions and expectations of promotions were analysed. Additionally, communication enhancers and inhibitors for promotions were identified and communication approaches used by Health Promoting Schools (HPS) were compared with those used by non-HPS. Principals and teachers were interviewed to discover selection, implementation and health promotion outcomes while parents were surveyed about the influence of school-based health promotions on their children‘s eating and exercise behaviours. Children participated in focus groups to determine their perceptions of health promotions, issues and behaviours. Data were analysed using a blended models framework combining best practice principles from marketing communications theory and behavioural theory. The framework was used to explore communication processes within school-based health promotions and behavioural outcomes of those promotions. It was discovered, first, that government policy and community priorities impact upon which health messages are promoted and why. Second, it was found stakeholder roles and relationships impact upon when and where health is promoted and by whom. Third, the extent to which health concepts are integrated into school life highlighted the importance of how health is promoted. Finally, it was established that communication processes and related behaviours, which take place within different environmental contexts, are influenced by communication noise, the skills and abilities of parents and children, and environmental conditions. Future research directions include examining how health priorities of school communities can be combined into a shared vision for health promotions. Clarifying stakeholder roles and examining formation, strength and success characteristics of stakeholder relationships in health promotions is a possibility too. Exploring the HPS initiative and environmental influences on healthy behaviours also warrants further investigation.

Esta dissertação trata da importância da preservação da cultura local, na cidade de São Luis do Paraitinga, no interior do Estado de São Paulo. O sentimento de pertencer a um grupo, partilhando valores, ideais e crenças comuns motiva essa população a comemorar e dessa forma preservar suas festas tradicionais, uma rica e diversificada cultura popular. A pesquisa aqui apresentada buscou conhecer como os processos comunicacionais dessa localidade se relacionam com as suas manifestações culturais, mas deteve-se no estudo da comunicação radiofônica, com ênfase na rádio comunitária da cidade. Foi procurar indícios de como a Rádio Paraitinga pode estabelecer um processo comunicacional, em comunhão com a concepção de vida, dos valores éticos, estéticos, artísticos e religiosos da comunidade. Como compreende, participa e desenvolve os laços de identidade e de pertencimento. Como a comunidade se identifica com a Rádio. Como vinculam sua intensa vivência do cotidiano à emissora. O estudo apresenta, em suas considerações finais, importantes dados indicadores do quanto a rádio da cidade responde a essas questões e sugere ações para que ela efetivamente exerça seu papel junto à comunidade, ações que realmente possam identificá-la como comunitária e, dessa forma, contribuir para a preservação das manifestações culturais. / This study says about the importance of the local culture preservation, in the city of São Luis do Paraitinga, interior of São Paulo. The feeling of belonging to a group, sharing values, ideals and common beliefs motivate this population to celebrate and therefore preserve their folk festivities, a rich and diversity popular culture. The following research meant to know how the communicational processes of this place relate to their culture manifestations, but privileged the radiophonic communication, focusing the city community radio. Searched hints how the Paraitinga Radio can establish a communication process, in congruent with their life conceptions, ethical, aesthetical, artistical and religious values. As understanding, sharing and developing their identity and belonging bonds. As the community identify itself with the Paraitinga Radio. As sharing their intense way of life with the radio station. In its final considerations, the research shows important indicating data of how the city radio answer this questions and its recommends actions that can really identify than as community and therefore to contribute to the preservation of the cultural manifestations.

Esta dissertação trata da importância da preservação da cultura local, na cidade de São Luis do Paraitinga, no interior do Estado de São Paulo. O sentimento de pertencer a um grupo, partilhando valores, ideais e crenças comuns motiva essa população a comemorar e dessa forma preservar suas festas tradicionais, uma rica e diversificada cultura popular. A pesquisa aqui apresentada buscou conhecer como os processos comunicacionais dessa localidade se relacionam com as suas manifestações culturais, mas deteve-se no estudo da comunicação radiofônica, com ênfase na rádio comunitária da cidade. Foi procurar indícios de como a Rádio Paraitinga pode estabelecer um processo comunicacional, em comunhão com a concepção de vida, dos valores éticos, estéticos, artísticos e religiosos da comunidade. Como compreende, participa e desenvolve os laços de identidade e de pertencimento. Como a comunidade se identifica com a Rádio. Como vinculam sua intensa vivência do cotidiano à emissora. O estudo apresenta, em suas considerações finais, importantes dados indicadores do quanto a rádio da cidade responde a essas questões e sugere ações para que ela efetivamente exerça seu papel junto à comunidade, ações que realmente possam identificá-la como comunitária e, dessa forma, contribuir para a preservação das manifestações culturais. / This study says about the importance of the local culture preservation, in the city of São Luis do Paraitinga, interior of São Paulo. The feeling of belonging to a group, sharing values, ideals and common beliefs motivate this population to celebrate and therefore preserve their folk festivities, a rich and diversity popular culture. The following research meant to know how the communicational processes of this place relate to their culture manifestations, but privileged the radiophonic communication, focusing the city community radio. Searched hints how the Paraitinga Radio can establish a communication process, in congruent with their life conceptions, ethical, aesthetical, artistical and religious values. As understanding, sharing and developing their identity and belonging bonds. As the community identify itself with the Paraitinga Radio. As sharing their intense way of life with the radio station. In its final considerations, the research shows important indicating data of how the city radio answer this questions and its recommends actions that can really identify than as community and therefore to contribute to the preservation of the cultural manifestations.