Following the presentation of the ASSO Project, as discussed in the
previous issue of JSSL (Tabacchi G. 2011; 1-3: 267-269 ), one of the first
objectives of the study is to develop helpful and efficient tools to create a webbased
software for the collection of data on adolescent lifestyles. Different
methods have been developed and used throughout Europe to collect information
on adolescent lifestyles. In order to select the best methods to be used in the
ASSO project, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) on the most valid dietary
and physical activity/fitness assessment methods used in the target population has
been perfomed. After the SLR and a meta-analysis of the retrieved studies,
different tools have been developed within ASSO, in order to create a userfriendly
and cost-effective toolkit for the creation of a web-based software for the
data collection. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for data collection has
been prepared and addressed to all the people involved in the preparation,
administration and management of the questionnaires. The SOP has the purpose
of standardizing methods and procedures to prevent systematic errors in the
collection and reporting of data. Moreover, it is useful to provide reminders and
guidelines of the correct way to deal with the information material related to the
study, to perform the interviews, to manage the compilation of the questionnaire
and to store the collected information. An informative letter on the project and the
informed consent to be signed by the parents have been developed. After
obtaining the parents’ consent, a list of all the students participating in the study
will be prepared and an identification code and a password will be attributed to
each student in order to respect the privacy