Remote school gardens: exploring a cost-effective and novel way to engage Australian Indigenous students in nutrition and health

Remote school gardens: exploring a cost-effective and novel way to engage Australian Indigenous students in nutrition and health Journal Article

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

• Author(s): Hume, A., Wetten, A., Feeney, C., Taylor, S., O'Dea, K., Brimblecombe, J.
• Published: 2014
• Volume: 38
• ISBN: 1753-6405 (Electronic) 1326-0200 (Linking)

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Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aimed to determine the feasibility of a novel, low-cost program to get remote schools started in gardening and nutrition activities, for a lower cost than existing models, and without on-the-ground horticultural support. METHODS: A multi-site, mixed methods case study was undertaken, in which four remote schools were shipped gardening materials and a nutrition and cooking resource, and provided with horticultural support by phone and email. A support register and teacher surveys were used for four months of evaluation. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that the program is feasible, and may be associated with an increase from baseline in student's time spent cooking, gardening and on related classroom activities. CONCLUSIONS: The program was delivered economically without the need for on-the-ground staff, in a manner that was acceptable to teachers. IMPLICATIONS: This model may have application in remote schools throughout Australia, where there is a need to alter health impacting behaviours in high-risk populations. Lengthier program evaluation times and further resource development may be worth investigating in the future.

• Urls: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1753-6405.12236
• Keywords: Adolescent, Adult, Australia, Child, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Female, Gardening/ economics, Health Promotion/economics/ methods, Humans, Male, Nutritional Status, Oceanic Ancestry Group, Pilot Projects, Program Evaluation/ methods, Schools, Students