Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Abstract Background Nutrition education programs in schools have been effective in improving children’s knowledge and behaviours related to food and nutrition. However, teachers find it challenging to implement such programs due to overcrowded curricula. Integrating nutrition with core subjects such...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-11-01
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| Series: | Nutrition Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00640-x |
| _version_ | 1819050539295440896 |
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| author | Berit M. Follong Elena Prieto-Rodriguez Andrew Miller Clare E. Collins Tamara Bucher |
| author_facet | Berit M. Follong Elena Prieto-Rodriguez Andrew Miller Clare E. Collins Tamara Bucher |
| author_sort | Berit M. Follong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Nutrition education programs in schools have been effective in improving children’s knowledge and behaviours related to food and nutrition. However, teachers find it challenging to implement such programs due to overcrowded curricula. Integrating nutrition with core subjects such as mathematics could potentially address time constraints and improve the learning of both. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the impact of a cross-curricular nutrition and mathematics program on primary school students’ portion size estimation skills. Secondary aims include impact on their nutrition knowledge, attitudes towards mathematics and evaluating the quality of the lessons. Methods Twelve Year 3–4 classes from Catholic schools in New South Wales, Australia will be randomised to intervention (n = 6) or control (n = 6) groups. Teachers in the intervention group will receive a professional development workshop and resources to teach 4–5 lessons on portion size and measurements across 1–4 weeks. Outcome measures include portion size estimation skills, nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards mathematics, with data collected during three school visits (pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, 4 weeks post-intervention). Additionally, teaching quality will be assessed in both intervention and control groups and process evaluation undertaken using teacher interviews and student focus groups. Discussion This RCT uses an innovative approach to improve both nutrition and mathematics related learning outcomes among primary school children. It has the potential to impact teaching practices regarding integration of nutrition into curricula and enhance the implementation of nutrition education interventions. Trial registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12619001071112 31/07/2019. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T11:49:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-4cbe02c96f174eb9bf0184d0b9ce8935 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-2891 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T11:49:39Z |
| publishDate | 2020-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrition Journal |
| spelling | doaj.art-4cbe02c96f174eb9bf0184d0b9ce89352022-12-21T19:05:05ZengBMCNutrition Journal1475-28912020-11-0119111210.1186/s12937-020-00640-xIntegrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trialBerit M. Follong0Elena Prieto-Rodriguez1Andrew Miller2Clare E. Collins3Tamara Bucher4School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of NewcastleSchool of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts, The University of NewcastleSchool of Education, Faculty of Education and Arts, The University of NewcastleSchool of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of NewcastlePriority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, The University of NewcastleAbstract Background Nutrition education programs in schools have been effective in improving children’s knowledge and behaviours related to food and nutrition. However, teachers find it challenging to implement such programs due to overcrowded curricula. Integrating nutrition with core subjects such as mathematics could potentially address time constraints and improve the learning of both. The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the impact of a cross-curricular nutrition and mathematics program on primary school students’ portion size estimation skills. Secondary aims include impact on their nutrition knowledge, attitudes towards mathematics and evaluating the quality of the lessons. Methods Twelve Year 3–4 classes from Catholic schools in New South Wales, Australia will be randomised to intervention (n = 6) or control (n = 6) groups. Teachers in the intervention group will receive a professional development workshop and resources to teach 4–5 lessons on portion size and measurements across 1–4 weeks. Outcome measures include portion size estimation skills, nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards mathematics, with data collected during three school visits (pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, 4 weeks post-intervention). Additionally, teaching quality will be assessed in both intervention and control groups and process evaluation undertaken using teacher interviews and student focus groups. Discussion This RCT uses an innovative approach to improve both nutrition and mathematics related learning outcomes among primary school children. It has the potential to impact teaching practices regarding integration of nutrition into curricula and enhance the implementation of nutrition education interventions. Trial registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register ACTRN12619001071112 31/07/2019.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00640-xOverweightObesityPreventionFood skillsNumeracyEducation |
| spellingShingle | Berit M. Follong Elena Prieto-Rodriguez Andrew Miller Clare E. Collins Tamara Bucher Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial Nutrition Journal Overweight Obesity Prevention Food skills Numeracy Education |
| title | Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| title_full | Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| title_short | Integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in Australian primary schools: protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| title_sort | integrating nutrition into the mathematics curriculum in australian primary schools protocol for a randomised controlled trial |
| topic | Overweight Obesity Prevention Food skills Numeracy Education |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00640-x |
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