Nutrition education practices of primary school teachers in a resource-constrained community in Gauteng, South Africa

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Kupolati, Mojisola D.
Gericke, Gerda J.
MacIntyre, Una Elizabeth
Ferreira, Ronel
Fraser, William John
Du Toit, Peet J.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Routledge

Abstract

We investigated the nutrition education (NE) practices of teachers of grade 4‒7 learners in 11 primary schools (85% of total number) of the Bronkhorstspruit district (Gauteng Province) to identify opportunities for improving NE in these schools. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out among a convenient sample of the teachers (N = 73) using a structured nutrition education practice questionnaire. Descriptive data analysis was done. Results showed that the majority of the teachers taught nutrition in about 10% to 20% of their teaching time. Thirty percent had no training to teach nutrition, and most teachers (86%) would like to receive training in nutrition. Teachers mostly taught nutrition as part of the curriculum (67%) and very few (18%) integrated nutrition into other subjects. Needing improvement were adequate classroom time for nutrition education delivery, continuing training in nutrition for teachers, and provision of up-to-date instructional materials for teaching nutrition.

Description

Keywords

Learners’ health, Nutrition education practices, Nutrition instructional materials, Nutrition teaching time, Nutrition training, Nutrition education (NE)

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Mojisola D. Kupolati, Gerda J. Gericke, Una E. MacIntyre, Ronel Ferreira,William Fraser & Peet Du Toit (2016) Nutrition education practices of primary school teachers in a resource-constrained community in Gauteng, South Africa, Ecology of Food and Nutrition, 55:3, 279-291, DOI:10.1080/03670244.2016.1161615.