Open AccessRemote school gardens: exploring a cost‐effective and novel way to engage Australian Indigenous students in nutrition and health
Author(s) -
Hume Andrew,
Wetten Alexander,
Feeney Camilla,
Taylor Sally,
O'Dea Kerin,
Brimblecombe Julie
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.946
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1753-6405
pISSN - 1326-0200
DOI - 10.1111/1753-6405.12236
Subject(s) - indigenous , phone , resource (disambiguation) , baseline (sea) , environmental health , medical education , business , resource use , medicine , geography , environmental resource management , computer science , environmental science , political science , ecology , computer network , philosophy , linguistics , law , biology
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.