Bulletin #0097
WINTER 2019
Do school breakfasts hit their target? The effectiveness of providing breakfast at school was the focus of research recently published by Dr Kylie Smith and Dr Kim Jose from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research. This study investigated the perceived benefits and challenges of running school breakfast programs (SBPs) and how schools have responded to the growing expectation that they provide breakfast for students. “In recent years, state governments throughout Australia have provided significant funding to support the expansion of school breakfast programs, in response to concerns about children arriving at school hungry,” Dr Kim Jose said. “The expectation that
schools provide breakfast has created some challenges and tensions that haven’t been fully resolved.” The research found that while making breakfast available to all students had reduced the stigma associated with attendance it had resulted in concerns about the resources used by the programs and over-consumption of breakfast by some students. “The research also found that concerns about shifting responsibility and overconsumption could be addressed if schools were given more advice on program
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH THE FOCUS OF THIS YEAR’S MENZIES WINTER APPEAL The recent bushfires in Tasmania brought into sharp focus the adverse health effects that smoke can have on individuals and our community. By donating to our Winter Appeal, you can help to make a difference to people who suffer from respiratory allergies or asthma related to pollen, smoke or other airborne hazards.
Every year, millions of Australians suffer from respiratory conditions made worse by environmental conditions. Yet our knowledge of these airborne triggers remains incomplete. With population rates of respiratory allergies rising and climate change set to increase airborne pollutants and pollen levels, these conditions and their impacts on the community are also set to increase.
Important meal: The study looked at five Australian primary schools operating school breakfast programs.
We want to ascertain whether school breakfast programs are adequately reaching the students in greatest need
At Menzies, our established team of environmental change and health researchers, the AirHub, is leading the world in developing and delivering knowledge that will keep populations healthy and thriving during times of changing air quality. The AirHub’s mission is to provide information and to manage the effects of air quality on
HOW TO DONATE
management by government and non-government funding bodies.” Dr Jose said. The study looked at five Australian primary schools operating SBPs. Dr Jose said further research would now focus on how many schools were offering SBPs, the resources available to support their delivery and the nutritional quality of food provided. “Most importantly we want to ascertain whether school breakfast programs are adequately reaching the students in greatest need,” she said.
health. AirHub was involved in the introduction of the AirRater app which combines real-time data on local air quality from a range of different sources, to help people build up a picture of their own respiratory triggers and help reduce their exposure to airborne hazards. Your support can help us further protect our community’s health.
To donate to our Winter Appeal either go to the Donate tab at Menzies.utas.edu.au, return the donation slip in this Bulletin or call 1800 638 124 or (03) 6226 7700.
Menzies Bulletin Winter 2019
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