The feasibility of implementing food-based dietary guidelines in the South African primary-school curriculum.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the perceptions of educators from the Western Cape Province about the feasibility of implementing South African food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) in the national curriculum of primary schools.


METHODS
Combined quantitative and qualitative methods. We report on the quantitative component.


METHODS
Twelve public primary schools of different socio-economic status in three education districts of the Western Cape: Metro Central, Metro East and Cape Winelands.


METHODS
Educators (n 256) participated in the self-completed questionnaire survey.


RESULTS
Educators assessed that FBDG were appropriate to South African schoolchildren (94%), could be used as an education tool (97%) and fill gaps in the current curriculum about healthy dietary habits (91%). Besides Life Orientation, FBDG could be taught in other learning areas from grades 3 to 7 (9-13 years old). Important barriers to implementing FBDG in the curriculum were educators' workload (61%), insufficient time (46%), learners' disadvantaged background (43%) and educators' lack of knowledge (33%). Other approaches to teach children about FBDG included linking these to the National School Nutrition Programme (82%), school tuck shops (79%), parent meetings (75%), school nutrition policy (73%) and school assembly (57%). Educators in high-income schools perceived that learners' lifestyle was significantly worse (P < 0·001) and that tuck shops and the school assembly were the best means to teach pupils about FBDG (P < 0·001 and P < 0·05).


CONCLUSIONS
Implementing FBDG in the national school curriculum is seen as important together with optimizing the school physical environment. Key factors required for successful implementation in the curriculum are sufficient educational materials, adequate time allocation and appropriate educator training.
1School of Child and Adolescent Health,University of Cape Town,Rondebosch,Cape Town,South Africa.
Kim A
KA
Nguyen
2Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Unit,Medical Research Council,PO Box 19070,Tygerberg 7505,South Africa.
Anniza
A
de Villiers
2Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Unit,Medical Research Council,PO Box 19070,Tygerberg 7505,South Africa.
Jean M
JM
Fourie
1School of Child and Adolescent Health,University of Cape Town,Rondebosch,Cape Town,South Africa.
Lesley T
LT
Bourne
1School of Child and Adolescent Health,University of Cape Town,Rondebosch,Cape Town,South Africa.
Michael K
MK
Hendricks
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D003479:Curriculum; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005522:Food Services; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012574:Schools; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013019:South Africa; D013997:Time Factors; D000078329:Workforce; D016526:Workload
Dietary guidelines; Nutrition education; Primary-school curriculum; South Africa