School-Based Nutrition Programs for Adolescents in Dodoma, Tanzania: A Situation Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212110207
Author(s):  
Colette Rector ◽  
Nadhira Nuraini Afifa ◽  
Varun Gupta ◽  
Abbas Ismail ◽  
Dominic Mosha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
School Nutrition ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
School Meals ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene

Background: Tanzania has a double burden of malnutrition, including a high prevalence of undernutrition and an increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among adolescents. Schools present a valuable opportunity to reach a large section of the country’s adolescent population with nutrition-oriented interventions. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the current state of adolescent school nutrition interventions in Dodoma, Tanzania, with emphases on 3 potential school-based nutrition interventions, school vegetable gardens, school meals, and education (on nutrition, agriculture, and water, sanitation, and hygiene). Methods: Focus group discussions were conducted with several regional and district-level governmental stakeholders, including health, education, and agricultural officers. Ten public secondary schools were visited, and interviews with school administrators, teachers, students, and parents were conducted. Results: All stakeholders interviewed supported interventions to improve school-based nutrition, including school gardens, school feeding, and nutrition education. All 10 schools visited had some experience providing school meals, but parents’ contributions were essential for the program’s sustainability. Most schools visited had land available for a school garden program, but water availability could be challenging during certain times of the year. The teachers interviewed expressed that the curriculum on nutrition education was highly theoretical and did not allow students to practice the knowledge and skills they learned in the classroom. Conclusions: The current school-based approach to tackling the double burden of adolescent malnutrition in Dodoma is localized and ad hoc. To leverage the potential of schools as a platform for nutrition interventions, integrated and policy-mandated interventions are needed.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of school-based nutrition interventions in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (14) ◽  
pp. 2626-2636
Author(s):  
Paul Kyere ◽  
J Lennert Veerman ◽  
Patricia Lee ◽  
Donald E Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Nutrition Education ◽  
School Nutrition ◽  
Nutrition Knowledge ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Nutrition Status ◽  
Food Supplementation ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
School Based ◽  
Sub Saharan

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the effect of school-based nutrition interventions (SBNI) involving schoolchildren and adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on child nutrition status and nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour.Design:A systematic review on published school nutrition intervention studies of randomised controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, controlled before-and-after studies or quasi-experimental designs with control. Nine electronic bibliographic databases were searched. To be included, interventions had to involve changes to the school’s physical and social environments, to the school’s nutrition policies, to teaching curriculum to incorporate nutrition education and/or to partnership with parents/community.Setting:Schools in SSA.Participants:School-aged children and adolescents, aged 5–19 years.Results:Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria. While there are few existing studies of SBNI in SSA, the evidence shows that food supplementation/fortification is very effective in reducing micronutrient deficiencies and can improve nutrition status. Secondly, school nutrition education can improve nutrition knowledge, but this may not necessarily translate into healthy nutrition behaviour, indicating that nutrition knowledge may have little impact without a facilitating environment. Results regarding anthropometry were inconclusive; however, there is evidence for the effectiveness of SBNI in improving cognitive abilities.Conclusions:There is enough evidence to warrant further trials of SBNI in SSA. Future research should consider investigating the impact of SBNI on anthropometry and nutrition behaviour, focusing on the role of programme intensity and/or duration. To address the high incidence of micronutrient deficiencies in low- and middle-income countries, food supplementation strategies currently available to schoolchildren should be expanded.

Nutrition across the curriculum: a scoping review exploring the integration of nutrition education within primary schools

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-44
Author(s):  
Berit M. Follong ◽  
Angeliek Verdonschot ◽  
Elena Prieto-Rodriguez ◽  
Andrew Miller ◽  
Clare E. Collins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary School ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Intervention Effectiveness ◽  
Education Programs ◽  
School Based

Abstract Primary schools contribute to promoting healthy eating behaviour and preventing overweight and obesity by providing nutrition education. Research highlights the importance of improving teachers’ program implementation to enhance intervention effectiveness. An integrative approach has been suggested to reduce time barriers that teachers currently experience in teaching nutrition. This scoping review explores use and effectiveness of integrative teaching in primary school-based nutrition education programs. Six databases were searched for primary school-based interventions on nutrition education. Papers reporting on integration of nutrition topics within core curriculum were included. Abstracts and full texts of potentially relevant articles were screened to determine eligibility. Next, data were extracted and tabulated. Findings were collated and summarised to describe intervention characteristics, subject integration and effectiveness of the included programs. Data describing integration of nutrition into the primary school curriculum were extracted from 39 eligible papers. Nutrition education programs often involve lessons about food groups and are frequently embedded within the mathematics, science or literacy syllabus. Although articles report on the integration of nutrition, the use of this approach was not commonly described in detail. Only seven papers discussed student outcomes related to the integration of nutrition education within core subjects. The ability to draw strong conclusions about school-based nutrition intervention effectiveness is limited by the current lack of program description and methodological issues. Hence, more research is warranted to inform evidence on effectiveness of integrative nutrition education for both teacher and student outcomes. Future studies that include greater detail regarding the integrative approach are needed.

scholarly journals Governance of food and nutrition security in Eswatini: an analysis of government policies and reports

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thobile Phungwayo ◽  
Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor ◽  
Liesbet Koornhof
Keyword(s):  
Ad Hoc ◽  
School Nutrition ◽  
Policy Formation ◽  
Acute Malnutrition ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Food And Nutrition Security ◽  
Nutrition Security ◽  
Sanitation And Hygiene ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
Development Goals

Abstract Background Governance of food and nutrition security is vital in achieving sustainable development goals. Yet, the role of governance in shaping and preventing malnutrition risk is complex and poorly understood. This paper examined the governance of food and nutrition security in Eswatini. Methods Policy documents, annual reports, and minutes of board meetings from five government ministries were the documents that were used for this study. The data analysis focused on the strength of nutrition governance, actors involved in policymaking, nutrition-specific and sensitive-programs, and multisectoral coordination of programs. Results The findings show that Eswatini has medium strength, nutrition governance. The nutrition-specific programs included: micronutrient supplementation and deworming programs, breastfeeding campaigns, and treatment of acute malnutrition. The nutrition-sensitive initiatives included programs on school nutrition, sanitation and hygiene, agriculture production, and healthcare. However, multisectoral coordination was ineffective, as collaborative efforts are not structured, during implementation. Conclusion This study examined the governance of food and nutrition security in Eswatini using documents from government ministries. Diverse actors were involved in policy formation and implementation. The strength of nutrition governance was medium and multisectoral coordination was usually ad-hoc. The multiple actors involved in nutrition governance in Eswatini need to intentionally plan to improve multisectoral coordination to achieve higher impact.

scholarly journals Challenges and opportunities to tackle the rising prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases in Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 78 (4) ◽  
pp. 506-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor O. Owino
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Burden Of Disease ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Double Burden ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Tract Infections ◽  
Hiv Aids

Africa is experiencing a sharp rise in non-communicable diseases (NCD) related to rapid globalisation and urbanisation leading to shifts in dietary and lifestyle patterns characterised by increased energy intake and physical inactivity. However, unlike more resource-endowed regions, Africa has a double burden of disease: NCD co-exist with infectious diseases including lower respiratory tract infections, HIV/AIDS and diarrhoeal diseases. The African economy is also relatively weaker, making it difficult to cope with this burden. It is postulated that NCD will soon overtake infectious diseases as the number one cause of death in the African region. The recognition of NCD as diseases and obesity as a related risk factor is weak in Africa, compounded by stigma associated with wasting in HIV/AIDS and obesity being perceived as a sign of wealth, achievement and care. There is also a dearth of data on overweight and obesity in the region and little knowledge that infant feeding practices, such as breast-feeding, are linked to reduced risk of NCD in both children and mothers. While complex multi-sectoral approaches to address this NCD menace are needed, Africa may benefit from taking simple initial steps to address NCD risk factors including: (1) behaviour change communication to challenge perceptions on NCD; (2) promoting and protecting breast-feeding; (3) formulating policies and regulations limiting wide availability of unhealthy foods; (4) mainstream nutrition education in school curricula and (5) collection of accurate data based on indicators that can reflect the double burden of disease and malnutrition; and fostering multi-sectoral actions against NCD.

scholarly journals Effects of nutrition intervention strategies in the primary prevention of overweight and obesity in school settings: a protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Edris Nury ◽  
Jakub Morze ◽  
Kathrin Grummich ◽  
Gerta Rücker ◽  
Georg Hoffmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Primary Prevention ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
School Students ◽  
School Settings ◽  
School Based

Abstract Background Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents are major public health challenges affecting quality of life and representing important risk factors in the development of non-communicable diseases. School environments provide great possibilities for the primary prevention of overweight and obesity and different school-based nutrition interventions are available. However, existing research on school-based nutrition interventions has important limitations and no network meta-analysis (NMA) has been performed yet to compare all available interventions. Therefore, the present research project aims to investigate the impact of different nutrition interventions in the school setting by comparing and ranking them using NMA methodology. Methods/design A systematic literature search will be performed in 11 electronic databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, ERIC, PsycINFO, CAB Abstracts, Campbell Library, BiblioMap EPPI, Australian Education Index, Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence-Based Practice Database and Practice-based Evidence in Nutrition Database). Parallel or cluster randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the following criteria will be included: (1) generally healthy school students aged 4–18 years, (2) school-based intervention with ≥ 1 nutrition component, and (3) assessed anthropometric (overweight/obesity risk, body weight change, weight Z-score, [standardized] body mass index, body fat, waist circumference) and/or diet-quality measures (daily intake of fruits and vegetables, fat, and sugar-sweetened beverages). Random effects pairwise and NMA will be performed for these outcomes and surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) estimated (P-score). Where possible, component NMA (CNMA) will be used additionally. Subgroup analyses are carried out for intervention duration, gender, age of school students, socioeconomic status, and geographical location, and sensitivity analyses by excluding high risk of bias RCTs. Discussion This systematic review and NMA will be the first to both directly and indirectly compare and rank different school-based nutrition interventions for the primary prevention of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence. Our analyses will provide important insights about the effects of the different interventions and show which are the most promising. The results of our study can help inform the design of new studies and will be of value to anyone interested in developing successful, evidence-based nutrition interventions in school settings. Systematic review registration PROSPERO: CRD42020220451.

scholarly journals School-Based Nutrition Interventions in Children Aged 6 to 18 Years: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 4113
Author(s):  
Kate M. O’Brien ◽  
Courtney Barnes ◽  
Serene Yoong ◽  
Elizabeth Campbell ◽  
Rebecca Wyse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Systematic Reviews ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
World Health Organisation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Umbrella Review ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
School Based

Schools are identified as a key setting to influence children’s and adolescents’ healthy eating. This umbrella review synthesised evidence from systematic reviews of school-based nutrition interventions designed to improve dietary intake outcomes in children aged 6 to 18 years. We undertook a systematic search of six electronic databases and grey literature to identify relevant reviews of randomized controlled trials. The review findings were categorised for synthesis by intervention type according to the World Health Organisation Health Promoting Schools (HPS) framework domains: nutrition education; food environment; all three HPS framework domains; or other (not aligned to HPS framework domain). Thirteen systematic reviews were included. Overall, the findings suggest that school-based nutrition interventions, including nutrition education, food environment, those based on all three domains of the HPS framework, and eHealth interventions, can have a positive effect on some dietary outcomes, including fruit, fruit and vegetables combined, and fat intake. These results should be interpreted with caution, however, as the quality of the reviews was poor. Though these results support continued public health investment in school-based nutrition interventions to improve child dietary intake, the limitations of this umbrella review also highlight the need for a comprehensive and high quality systematic review of primary studies.

scholarly journals The Boss’ Healthy Buddies Nutrition Resource Is Effective for Elementary School Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Pittman ◽  
Ida R. Bland ◽  
Isai D. Cabrera ◽  
Kassie E. Franck ◽  
Emily L. Perkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
South Carolina ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
Elementary School Students ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
School Students ◽  
School Based Intervention ◽  
School Based ◽  
Childhood Overweight And Obesity

Previously we have shown that our Healthy Eating Decisions school-based intervention can influence students’ selections of the healthiest foods available in their elementary school cafeterias through positive reinforcement techniques. Although effective, we recognized that students were missing fundamental nutrition knowledge necessary to understand why the Healthy Eating Decisions program identified particular beverages and foods as the healthiest in the cafeteria. Therefore, we developed the Boss’ Healthy Buddies nutrition education resource as a freely available curriculum matched with South Carolina education standards and designed for elementary school students from kindergarten through fourth grade. The current study implemented Boss’ Healthy Buddies and compared its efficacy to a commercially available nutrition program, CATCH. Elementary school students in Spartanburg, South Carolina, received weekly twenty-minute Boss’ Healthy Buddies lessons for eight weeks. Results from preassessment and postassessment surveys were compared with a positive control elementary school using the CATCH program and a negative control school receiving no nutrition education. Results show that Boss’ Healthy Buddies was equally effective as the CATCH program in improving the nutrition attitudes regarding healthiest beverages and food selections with the advantage of being freely available and minimizing the impact on classroom instruction time. In order to reduce most effectively the high prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, it is crucial that children are taught nutrition education to support healthy eating habits at an early age. Both the Healthy Eating Decisions school-based intervention and the Boss’ Healthy Buddies nutrition education program are available online for use as free resources to aid in reducing childhood overweight and obesity within elementary schools.

scholarly journals Obesity in adolescence-from etiological variability to interventional efficacy in the school context

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-26
Author(s):  
José M. Tallon ◽  
António J. Silva ◽  
Aldo M. Costa ◽  
Ana Barros
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Nutrition Education ◽  
School Context ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Predictive Equations ◽  
School Based ◽  
The Impact

Introduction: Our paper concern two fundamental pillars to face obesity in adolescence- nutrition education and the phenomenon of human variability, namely in the biological and behavior dimension. Objectives: Assessment of the impact of an innovate school-based nutrition education program (OBESIDATA); the multivariate study of the anthropometric profile and physical activity pattern of adolescents in Portugal; comparison between energy consumption and their energy needs; Evaluation of the accuracy of four commonly used basal metabolic rate prediction equations. Results: After a two weeks period of open interactive digital platform, 85.8% of students increased their nutritional knowledge; the overall prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents was 16.5% and 5.9%, respectively; just 38% of participants reported a level of physical activity in line with WHO recommendations; the RMR mean differences of six identified anthropometrics clusters vary from 1349 Kcalories to 1955 Kcalories; the mean reported energy intake was lower than the estimated energy requirements; from all predictive equations estimating energy requirements the relative accuracy, using indirect calorimetric evaluations, is just about 17%. Conclusions: School-based nutrition using technology may provide a practical, attractive and cost- effective strategy to improve nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors; the adolescent’s prevalence of overweight/obesity remains relatively high and physical activity was clear below the WHO recommendations; at average level adolescents REI seems to be lower than their EER, but REI reveals a great individual variability; the accuracy of RMR using predictive equations may have limited applicability; a new paradigma to prevent obesity is coming where genetic will have soon a practical central role.1,2

scholarly journals Promoting Healthy Eating among Young People—A Review of the Evidence of the Impact of School-Based Interventions

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2894
Author(s):  
Abina Chaudhary ◽  
František Sudzina ◽  
Bent Egberg Mikkelsen
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Dietary Behaviour ◽  
Nutrition Interventions ◽  
School Based ◽  
Food And Nutrition ◽  
School Based Interventions ◽  
The Impact

Intro: Globally, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing among children and younger adults and is associated with unhealthy dietary habits and lack of physical activity. School food is increasingly brought forward as a policy to address the unhealthy eating patterns among young people. Aim: This study investigated the evidence for the effectiveness of school-based food and nutrition interventions on health outcomes by reviewing scientific evidence-based intervention studies amongst children at the international level. Methods: This study was based on a systematic review using the PRISMA guidelines. Three electronic databases were systematically searched, reference lists were screened for studies evaluating school-based food and nutrition interventions that promoted children’s dietary behaviour and health aiming changes in the body composition among children. Articles dating from 2014 to 2019 were selected and reported effects on anthropometry, dietary behaviour, nutritional knowledge, and attitude. Results: The review showed that school-based interventions in general were able to affect attitudes, knowledge, behaviour and anthropometry, but that the design of the intervention affects the size of the effect. In general, food focused interventions taking an environmental approach seemed to be most effective. Conclusions: School-based interventions (including multicomponent interventions) can be an effective and promising means for promoting healthy eating, improving dietary behaviour, attitude and anthropometry among young children. Thus, schools as a system have the potential to make lasting improvements, ensuring healthy school environment around the globe for the betterment of children’s short- and long-term health.

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