scholarly journals Impacts of the Primary School Free Breakfast Initiative on socio-economic inequalities in breakfast consumption among 9–11-year-old schoolchildren in Wales

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1280-1289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham F Moore ◽  
Simon Murphy ◽  
Katherine Chaplin ◽  
Ronan A Lyons ◽  
Mark Atkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
School Level ◽  
Breakfast Skipping ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Dietary Behaviours ◽  
Interaction Term ◽  
Economic Inequalities

AbstractObjectivesUniversal interventions may widen or narrow inequalities if disproportionately effective among higher or lower socio-economic groups. The present paper examines impacts of the Primary School Free Breakfast Initiative in Wales on inequalities in children's dietary behaviours and cognitive functioning.DesignCluster-randomised controlled trial. Responses were linked to free school meal (FSM) entitlement via the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage databank. Impacts on inequalities were evaluated using weighted school-level regression models with interaction terms for intervention × whole-school percentage FSM entitlement and intervention × aggregated individual FSM entitlement. Individual-level regression models included interaction terms for intervention × individual FSM entitlement.SettingFifty-five intervention and fifty-six wait-list control primary schools.SubjectsApproximately 4500 children completed measures of dietary behaviours and cognitive tests at baseline and 12-month follow-up.ResultsSchool-level models indicated that children in intervention schools ate a greater number of healthy items for breakfast than children in control schools (b = 0·25; 95 % CI 0·07, 0·44), with larger increases observed in more deprived schools (interaction term b = 1·76; 95 % CI 0·36, 3·16). An interaction between intervention and household-level deprivation was not significant. Despite no main effects on breakfast skipping, a significant interaction was observed, indicating declines in breakfast skipping in more deprived schools (interaction term b = −0·07; 95 % CI −0·15, −0·00) and households (OR = 0·67; 95 % CI 0·46, 0·98). No significant influence on inequality was observed for the remaining outcomes.ConclusionsUniversal breakfast provision may reduce socio-economic inequalities in consumption of healthy breakfast items and breakfast skipping. There was no evidence of intervention-generated inequalities in any outcomes.

scholarly journals Associations between deprivation, attitudes towards eating breakfast and breakfast eating behaviours in 9–11-year-olds

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 582-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham F Moore ◽  
Katy Tapper ◽  
Simon Murphy ◽  
Rebecca Lynch ◽  
Larry Raisanen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Level ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Breakfast Skipping ◽  
Breakfast Eating ◽  
Eating Breakfast ◽  
Causal Nature

AbstractObjectivesTo examine school-level relationships between deprivation and breakfast eating behaviours (breakfast skipping and the healthfulness of foods consumed) in 9–11-year-old schoolchildren and to examine whether attitudes towards eating breakfast mediated these relationships.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingOne hundred and eleven primary schools in Wales.SubjectsYear 5 and 6 pupils within the 111 primary schools. Measures were completed by 4314 children. Analysis was conducted at the group (school) level, with each school representing one group.ResultsDeprivation was positively associated with breakfast skipping and consumption of ‘unhealthy’ items (i.e. sweet snacks, crisps) for breakfast. A significant negative association was found between deprivation and consumption of ‘healthy’ items (i.e. fruit, bread, cereal, milk). Deprivation was significantly inversely associated with attitudes towards eating breakfast. The relationships between deprivation and (1) breakfast skipping and (2) consumption of ‘healthy’ items for breakfast were mediated by attitudes towards eating breakfast. The hypothesis that attitudes mediated the relationship between deprivation and consumption of ‘unhealthy’ breakfast items was unsupported.ConclusionsDeprivation is associated with adverse breakfast eating behaviours amongst children aged 9–11 years, in terms of breakfast skipping and the quality of breakfasts consumed. Socio-economic differences in attitudes towards eating breakfast are apparent amongst this age group, and appear to relate to social gradients in breakfast eating behaviours. Research is needed to examine the causal nature of these trends and to elucidate factors underlying the development of socio-economic differences in eating-related cognitions.

scholarly journals PINTAR BACA: ENRICHING PUPILS’ READING THROUGH STORIES OF ORIGINS OF NAMES OF PLACES IN SINGAPORE

2020 ◽  
pp. 93-118
Author(s):  
Siti Faridah Omar
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
School Level ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Reading Materials ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Primary School Pupils ◽  
Language Mastery

Reading is one of the basic skills needed to be enhance at the primary school level. Early research shows that pupils lack the interest in reading and this affected their ability to grasp vocab and understanding. Thus, Pintar Baca cards were introduced to help increase interest and level up pupils’ ability to understand the texts read. The Pintar Baca cards comprises of teaching and learning tools published by the Malay Language Centre of Singapore. These resources were designed to help primary school pupils improve their language mastery through reading. These cards were developed for Primary 2 to 4 and consists of 12 stories on the names of origins of places of Singapore. It is hoped that through these historical stories, we are able to instil interest and strengthen pupils’ knowledge on the historical background of some places in Singapore in a simpler and more interesting way. In addition, each story comes with a set of comprehension questions which can develop pupils’ understanding on the reading materials. A trialling session was done at 9 primary schools involving around 189 pupils. A thinking routine strategy were applied in the teaching and learning during the trialling sessions to support the use of the Pintar Baca cards. Research findings showed an increase in reading interest amongst pupils. In addition, the application of the thinking routines has helped improve pupils’ understanding of the contents of the stories and their language mastery.

scholarly journals Impact of a Family Economic Intervention (Bridges) on Health Functioning of Adolescents Orphaned by HIV/AIDS: A 5-Year (2012–2017) Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial in Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-513
Author(s):  
Fred M. Ssewamala ◽  
Julia Shu-Huah Wang ◽  
Rachel Brathwaite ◽  
Sicong Sun ◽  
Larissa Jennings Mayo-Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Level ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Sexual Risk Taking ◽  
Positive Health ◽  
Match Rate

Objectives. To investigate the long-term impacts of a family economic intervention on physical, mental, and sexual health of adolescents orphaned by AIDS in Uganda. Methods. Students in grades 5 and 6 from 48 primary schools in Uganda were randomly assigned at the school level (cluster randomization) to 1 of 3 conditions: (1) control (n = 487; 16 schools), (2) Bridges (1:1 savings match rate; n = 396; 16 schools), or (3) Bridges PLUS (2:1 savings match rate; n = 500; 16 schools). Results. At 24 months, compared with participants in the control condition, Bridges and Bridges PLUS participants reported higher physical health scores, lower depressive symptoms, and higher self-concept and self-efficacy. During the same period, Bridges participants reported lower sexual risk-taking intentions compared with the other 2 study conditions. At 48 months, Bridges and Bridges PLUS participants reported better self-rated health, higher savings, and lower food insecurity. During the same period, Bridges PLUS participants reported reduced hopelessness, and greater self-concept and self-efficacy. At 24 and 48 months, Bridges PLUS participants reported higher savings than Bridges participants. Conclusions. Economic interventions targeting families raising adolescents orphaned by AIDS can contribute to long-term positive health and overall well-being of these families. Trial Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov registration no. NCT01447615.

The associations of specific school- and individual-level characteristics with obesity among primary school children in Beijing, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1838-1845
Author(s):  
Lan Cheng ◽  
Qin Li ◽  
Antje Hebestreit ◽  
Yi Song ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Level ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
School Based ◽  
Index Value ◽  
Beijing China

AbstractObjective:We aimed to investigate the associations between school-level characteristics and obesity among Chinese primary school children with consideration of individual-level characteristics.Design:This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2015/2016. School-level characteristics were assessed using an interviewer-administered school questionnaire, and a ‘school-based obesity prevention index’ was further developed. Individual-level characteristics were collected by self-administered questionnaires. Objectively measured height and weight of students were collected, and obesity status was classified according to the International Obesity Task Force criteria for Asian children. Generalised linear mixed models were used to estimate the associations among the school- and individual-level characteristics and obesity of students.Setting:Thirty-seven primary schools from an urban and a rural district of Beijing, China.Participants:School staffs, 2201 students and their parents.Results:The school-based obesity prevention index involved the number of health professionals, availability of students’ health records, monitoring students’ nutrition status, frequency of health education activities, reporting achievements of obesity prevention activities to parents, duration of physical activity during school time and availability of playground equipment. The prevalence of obesity was lower in schools with the higher index value compared with that in schools with the lower index value (OR 0·56; 95 % CI 0·40, 0·79). Some individual-level characteristics were negatively associated with childhood obesity: liking sports, duration of screen time ≤2 h/d, perceived lower eating speed, parental non-overweight/obesity.Conclusions:Irrespective of individual-level characteristics, the specific school-level characteristics had a cumulative effect on obesity among Chinese primary school children. Further school-based obesity intervention should consider these characteristics simultaneously.

scholarly journals Study design and protocol for a mixed methods evaluation of an intervention to reduce and break up sitting time in primary school classrooms in the UK: The CLASS PAL (Physically Active Learning) Programme

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e019428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ash C Routen ◽  
Stuart J H Biddle ◽  
Danielle H Bodicoat ◽  
Lorraine Cale ◽  
Stacy Clemes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Learning ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Teacher ◽  
High Volume ◽  
School Level ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
Teaching Resources ◽  
Physically Active ◽  
June July

IntroductionChildren engage in a high volume of sitting in school, particularly in the classroom. A number of strategies, such as physically active lessons (termed movement integration (MI)), have been developed to integrate physical activity into this learning environment; however, no single approach is likely to meet the needs of all pupils and teachers. This protocol outlines an implementation study of a primary school-based MI intervention: CLASS PAL (Physically Active Learning) programme. This study aims to (A) determine the degree of implementation of CLASS PAL, (B) identify processes by which teachers and schools implement CLASS PAL and (C) investigate individual (pupil and teacher) level and school-level characteristics associated with implementation of CLASS PAL.Methods and analysisThe intervention will provide teachers with a professional development workshop and a bespoke teaching resources website. The study will use a single group before-and-after design, strengthened by multiple interim measurements. Six state-funded primary schools will be recruited within Leicestershire, UK.Evaluation data will be collected prior to implementation and at four discrete time points during implementation: At measurement 0 (October 2016), school, teacher and pupil characteristics will be collected. At measurements 0 and 3 (June–July 2017), accelerometry, cognitive functioning, self-reported sitting and classroom engagement data will be collected. At measurements 1(December 2016–March 2017) and 3 , teacher interviews (also at measurement 4; September–October 2017) and pupil focus groups will be conducted, and at measurements 1 and 2 (April–May 2017), classroom observations. Implementation will be captured through website analytics and ongoing teacher completed logs.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was obtained through the Loughborough University Human Participants Ethics Sub-Committee (Reference number: R16-P115). Findings will be disseminated via practitioner and/or research journals and to relevant regional and national stakeholders through print and online media and dissemination event(s).

Primary school principals ' job satisfaction and occupational stress

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merike Darmody ◽  
Emer Smyth
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Occupational Stress ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
School Principals ◽  
School Context ◽  
School Level ◽  
School Factors ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Primary School Principals

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors associated with occupational stress and job satisfaction among Irish primary school principals. A principal’s job has become increasingly demanding and complex in recent decades. However, there is little current research into their levels of stress and job satisfaction, particularly based on nationally representative data. In order to understand how principals perceive their job and how best to support them, new insights into factors contributing to job satisfaction and stress of school principals are warranted. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on an analysis of Growing up in Ireland data, a national representative study of nine-year-old children in Ireland. In order to explore the simultaneous impact of individual and school factors on stress and job satisfaction of principals in Irish primary schools, multivariate analysis was used. Analyses in this paper are based on responses from principals in 898 schools. Findings – The results of the study indicate that a significant number of primary school principals in Ireland are not very satisfied and feel stressed about their job. Regression analysis revealed that job satisfaction and occupational stress were related to a complex set of personal characteristics, working conditions, school context and teacher climate. Research limitations/implications – The data are limited to primary school principals. However, this is in itself an advantage since it allows for greater insights into variation across principals in job satisfaction and stress, holding the effect of school level constant. Originality/value – This is the first study of its kind in the Irish context that explores the simultaneous effect of a number of factors on school principals’ stress and job satisfaction.

scholarly journals THE WRITING AND SUPERVISION OF BRIGHT ENGLISH TEXTBOOK DEVELOPMENT FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN INDONESIAN CONTEXT

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Inayati ◽  
Erlyna Abidasari ◽  
Kharisma Naidi W.S.
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
Writing Process ◽  
School Level ◽  
Publication Ethics ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Supervision Process ◽  
Textbook Writing

Although English Language subject is no longer compulsory for primary school level in Indonesia based on the current Curriculum 2013, some regions still consider it essential for their area development and thus making it a compulsory local content subject—Batu Municipality is one of them. Therefore, more efforts are needed to assist English teachers as resources for teaching English is limited due to the lack of support from the national policy level, thus the reasoning for the current project. This paper aims to describe the process of writing and supervising of Bright English Textbook, which is a specifically targeted English textbook for primary schools in Batu, East Java, Indonesia. Qualitative descriptive method was used in this study, involving four primary school teachers as the subjects in the collaborative textbook writing project. The finding presents the step-by-step process from the description during the training process, the actual writing process, until the illustration and lay-outing process. Besides, it also describes the supervision process as well as the problems and solutions related to it. Some highlights and implications of the study are also discussed, with suggestions offered in the form of combined online and face-to-face supervision process and sufficient writing and publication ethics training provided before the writing process begins. It is expected that this study could benefit other teachers and researchers who want to embark on a collaborative textbook writing process to improve their project effectiveness.

scholarly journals Musical Activity in The Music Learning Process Through Children Songs in Primary School Level

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-51
Author(s):  
Syahrul Syah Sinaga ◽  
Susanto Susanto ◽  
Victor Ganap ◽  
Tjetjep Rehendi Rohidi
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Music Teachers ◽  
Field Research ◽  
School Level ◽  
Music Learning ◽  
Musical Activity ◽  
Collection Data ◽  
Primary School Level ◽  
Musical Activities

This study aims to analyze and describe the musical activity in the process of learning music through children songs in primary school. A qualitative approach in this research is made by focusing on the field research method. Data were collected by observation techniques, interviews, and documentation studies. Data analysis was done by following certain stages respectively, i.e. data collection, data reduction, data display, conclusion drawing, and verification. The results showed that musical activities implemented in three primary schools consist of (1) listening to music; (2) singing; (3) playing musical instruments; (4) moving to follow the music; and (5) reading music. However, forms, types, and variations of the musical activities taking place in these schools are different, depending on the schools’ policy, schools’ abilities, and music teachers’ abilities in teaching the music subject.

scholarly journals Enhancing primary school pupils' mathematics creative ability through activity based learning approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Bright Lhechukwu NWOKE
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
School Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Learning Approach ◽  
Statistical Tool ◽  
Creative Ability ◽  
Primary School Pupils

Mathematics creativity is very important in studying mathematics at every level of education but less attention is paid to it in the teaching-learning process and this has resulted to poor performance in the subject. The study investigated how activity based learning approach can enhance the creative skills of primary school pupils. A sample of 185 pupils from six purposively selected government owned primary schools in Owerri west local Government area of Imo state was used for the study. The study was a quasi-experimental research type adopting the pre-test, posttest non equivalent control design. The instrument for data collection was a researcher made objective test titled “Mathematics Creativity Test (GAT)”Instrument which had reliability coefficient of 0.79 determined using Kuder-Richardson formula (KR21). The experiment group was taught geometric concepts using Activity-Based Learning Approach while the control group was taught using the traditional approach. The data generated was analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer research questions while the hypotheses were tested using ANCOVA statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. The result of the study revealed that Activity-Based Learning Approach enhanced pupils’ mathematics creative ability irrespective of gender and ability levels. Based on the result, it was recommended that Mathematics teachers at the primary school level should apply pupils centered approaches such as activity-based learning approach in teaching to enhance pupils’ creativity in mathematics.

scholarly journals Nutrition education incorporation into mainstream primary school curriculum in Ghana: Stakeholders’ sources of nutrition information and perceived barriers

PLoS ONE ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. e0262359
Author(s):  
Esi Quaidoo ◽  
Agartha Ohemeng ◽  
Mawuli K. Kushitor ◽  
Janet Antwi
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
School Children ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
School Level ◽  
Nutrition Information ◽  
Primary School Children

Introduction Nutrition literacy has been cited as a crucial life skill. Nutrition education as a primary school subject has been treated inconsequentially when compared to other subjects. We investigated an aspect of the current state of nutrition education in Ghana by engaging stakeholders about their sources of nutrition information and the perceived barriers in implementing nutrition education in mainstream primary schools. Methods Three hundred and fifty one (351) primary school children, 121 homebased caregivers, six schoolteachers, two headteachers, two Ghana Education Service (GES) officials, and six school cooks were involved in the study. Surveys were used to collect data on nutrition information acquisition behaviors and to record perceived barriers. Key Informant Interviews were conducted among GES officials, headteachers, schoolteachers and school cooks, while Focus Group Discussions were used among homebased caregivers and children to gather qualitative information. Results Only 36.3% of the primary school children had heard about nutrition, and 71% of those got nutrition information from their family members. About 70% of homebased caregivers had heard or seen nutrition messages, and their source of nutrition information was predominantly traditional media. Schoolteachers mostly received their nutrition information from non-governmental organizations and the Internet, while most of the school cooks stated their main source of nutrition information was hospital visits. Perceived barriers included schoolteachers’ knowledge insufficiency, and lack of resources to adequately deliver nutrition education. Lack of a clear policy appeared to be an additional barrier. Conclusion The barriers to the implementation of nutrition education in the mainstream curriculum at the primary school level that were identified in this study can be resolved by: providing schoolteachers with learning opportunities and adequate nutrition education resources for practical delivery, having specific national policy framework, and including family members and school cooks in the nutrition education knowledge and information dissemination process.

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