scholarly journals Who is teaching the kids to cook? Results from a nationally representative survey of secondary school students in New Zealand

Author(s):  
Jennifer Utter ◽  
Simon Denny ◽  
Mathijs Lucassen ◽  
Ben Dyson

Abstract Learning how to cook is an important skill for developing healthy eating behaviors. Moreover, involvement in home cooking may offer young people opportunities for skill building, identity development and social engagement with their families. Recently, there have been concerns that the current generation of young people may not have the opportunities to develop sufficient cooking skills. These concerns have been addressed by the initiation of numerous, localized interventions. Yet, little is known about where the current generation of young people learn cooking skills. The objective of this study was to describe where the current generation of young people report learning to cook, drawing on nationally representative data from New Zealand. Data were collected as part of Youth2012, a nationally representative survey of secondary school students (n=8500) in New Zealand. Almost all students reported learning to cook and from multiple sources. Almost all students reported learning to cook from a family member (mother, father, or other family member), approximately 60% of students reported that they learned to cook from certain media (cookbooks, TV, or the Internet) and half of all students reported learning to cook at school. There were numerous differences in where students learned to cook by socio-demographic characteristics. Findings from the current research highlight the important role that families play in teaching young people to cook and will be useful for those working with young people to develop these skills.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mabél R. Hamon

<p>Chronic health conditions (CHC) in New Zealand adolescents are on the rise as medical advances continue. Exact numbers of the student population ranges from approximately 17% (Adolescent Health Research Group, 2008) to as high as 37% (Ministry of Health, 2008a). Pasifika and Māori youth are especially hard hit by the increase in numbers of CHCs in New Zealand. Young people with a CHC face additional challenges in the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains their healthy peers do not. Prior research shows CHCs can negatively affect learning. This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1995), generally used in nursing and psychological research, and focused on the learning experiences of New Zealand secondary school students with a CHC. It emphasized and gave voice to these students’ experiences that affected their learning. Data were collected from 24 participants in seven secondary schools in a major New Zealand city, through semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups.  Despite a wide range of CHCs and ages represented within the overall cohort of students, they shared many commonalities. Participants considered themselves no different from their peers in school, even as they discussed the different effects and difficulties of their respective CHCs, such as the impact of pain or inability to concentrate. They considered school important and did not want to miss class due to either a CHC or its treatment. The physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impacts of CHCs make learning challenging, especially when students encounter skepticism and teachers with insufficient knowledge of CHCs to meet their learning needs. This lack of understanding or knowledge regarding CHCs and how they impact the student caused additional strain but these young people retained their interest in school, regardless of school decile or ethnicity. Students took responsibility for their learning and attributed learning success to their efforts and coping strategies with strong support given by parents. Teachers or others within the school who knew about the CHC were seen as helpful and understanding; protective factors which contributed to their learning. New and career educators and policy makers in New Zealand need additional instruction in New Zealand on the impact of CHCs on learning as well as greater encouragement of communication between parents and schools regarding health to help these adolescents in their education.</p>


Author(s):  
Jennifer Utter ◽  
Mathijs Lucassen ◽  
Simon Denny ◽  
Terry Fleming ◽  
Roshini Peiris-John ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To determine if secondary school students in New Zealand who report greater health concerns (e.g. significant depressive symptoms) are more likely to use the Internet to access health-related information. Methods A nationally representative health and wellbeing survey was undertaken in 2012 (n = 8500). Multiple regression models were used to examine the associations between students’ use of the Internet to access health-related information and selected outcomes or indicators. Results Over 90% of students used the Internet on a daily basis, with 15.4% of students reporting that they had used the Internet to access health-related information. Students experiencing household poverty were more likely to report not using the Internet daily (17.4% compared to 4.2%). Odds ratios (ORs) for accessing the Internet for this sort of information were highest for students who reported self-harm [OR 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.3–3.3], disordered eating (OR 2.7, 95% CI 2.4–3.2), or a suicide attempt (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.9–3.3). Conclusion Our findings suggest that Internet-based health interventions may be a viable way to reach young people with high health needs, but consideration needs to be given to those with limited Internet access.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Mabél R. Hamon

<p>Chronic health conditions (CHC) in New Zealand adolescents are on the rise as medical advances continue. Exact numbers of the student population ranges from approximately 17% (Adolescent Health Research Group, 2008) to as high as 37% (Ministry of Health, 2008a). Pasifika and Māori youth are especially hard hit by the increase in numbers of CHCs in New Zealand. Young people with a CHC face additional challenges in the physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains their healthy peers do not. Prior research shows CHCs can negatively affect learning. This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 1995), generally used in nursing and psychological research, and focused on the learning experiences of New Zealand secondary school students with a CHC. It emphasized and gave voice to these students’ experiences that affected their learning. Data were collected from 24 participants in seven secondary schools in a major New Zealand city, through semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups.  Despite a wide range of CHCs and ages represented within the overall cohort of students, they shared many commonalities. Participants considered themselves no different from their peers in school, even as they discussed the different effects and difficulties of their respective CHCs, such as the impact of pain or inability to concentrate. They considered school important and did not want to miss class due to either a CHC or its treatment. The physical, cognitive, and psychosocial impacts of CHCs make learning challenging, especially when students encounter skepticism and teachers with insufficient knowledge of CHCs to meet their learning needs. This lack of understanding or knowledge regarding CHCs and how they impact the student caused additional strain but these young people retained their interest in school, regardless of school decile or ethnicity. Students took responsibility for their learning and attributed learning success to their efforts and coping strategies with strong support given by parents. Teachers or others within the school who knew about the CHC were seen as helpful and understanding; protective factors which contributed to their learning. New and career educators and policy makers in New Zealand need additional instruction in New Zealand on the impact of CHCs on learning as well as greater encouragement of communication between parents and schools regarding health to help these adolescents in their education.</p>


2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-202
Author(s):  
Irena Ristic ◽  
Bojana Skorc

The paper deals with the degree of development of interest in arts in young people, and the justifiability of the current tendency of revision and abbreviation of the art curricula in schools. The research is focused on the structure of interests in various artistic disciplines in secondary school students, and the aim is to determine whether the degree of students? interest depends on the school type, gender and previous experience. The research was conducted on the sample of 555 students from 111 schools, who filled out the questionnaire during one school period. The data were processed by multifactor analysis of variance. There was a higher degree of interest in video and performing arts, which are not present enough in students? surroundings. The girls showed a higher degree of interest in all disciplines, as well as grammar school students compared to their peers from vocational schools. It was shown that the higher the number of programmes attended, the higher the interest in all forms of art. Young people who were completely inactive showed interest in video arts, which serves as an important guideline in the process of moving and socialising them. The results confirm that youth?s interests and needs are discrepant with what is offered to them. It is necessary to introduce various artistic contents as parts of the curriculum, which would make school an integral part of their life, the part that directly influences the development of creativity and increases responsible participation in the society.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Thomas Johnson

<p>Secondary school students in New Zealand have been underachieving in recent years, with one of the largest performance gaps between high and low performing students in the OECD. With an overrepresentation of Māori, Pasifika and low socioeconomic students in this low performing group, this research explores an innovative solution and presents a business case of Moemoea- a digital tool to train resilience and self-motivation to support student success. Disruption of jobs with automation in future workplaces from rapid technological advancement requires workers to be proficient in digital literacy, resilience, and self-motivation. The literature suggests that these skills lead to improved confidence and academic outcomes and were the same capabilities required beyond school, in the new digitally focused work environment.  This research interviewed 14 Māori, Pasifika and low socioeconomic secondary school students, collecting first-hand experiences of resilience, motivation, and resources that support successful academic outcomes at school. The research findings identified an untapped opportunity between high digital skills and access to technology and a lack of student motivation and resilience levels to harness this advantage to improve student learning.  Government ministries are identified as a likely customer because they are the entity currently addressing the performance gap between high and low achievers in New Zealand secondary schools. The findings and business case demonstrate the feasibility of investment in the research and development of both Moemoea and other possible solutions to poor performing students.</p>


2009 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 245-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Marsh ◽  
Rob McGee ◽  
Sheila Williams

Previous research has found differences between adults' and students' perceptions of adolescents' aggressive behaviour. This study examines teachers' perceptions of physical aggression among New Zealand secondary school students. A survey assessed teachers' perceptions of problematic behaviour, and physical aggression by students towards teachers. An online survey assessed students' self-reports of physical fighting and weapon carrying. The findings show that, while teachers did not consider physical aggression a major problem in their schools, they did report frequent occurrences of physical fighting. Some teachers also reported experiencing significant physical aggression towards them by students. Student aggression was not significantly associated with teachers' perceptions of physical aggression in their schools. Teachers are facing physical aggression in their workplace, making schools a stressful working and learning environment.


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