Implementation of a Food-Based Science Curriculum Improves Fourth-Grade Educators' Self-efficacy for Teaching Nutrition

BACKGROUND: Teacher self-efficacy can positively impact student dietary behaviors; however, limited curricular resources and professional development can serve as barriers to the provision of nutrition education in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of a food-based, integrative science curriculum on 4th grade teachers' self-efficacy toward teaching nutrition. METHODS: Researchers used a quasi-experimental design to implement the FoodMASTER Intermediate (FMI) curriculum in 19 4th-grade classrooms across Ohio and North Carolina. The Nutrition Teaching Self-Efficacy Scale was used to assess baseline and post-test teacher self-efficacy using a 4-point Likert-scale (1=not confident at all; 4=very confident). ANCOVA and Wilcoxon-Signed Rank Test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Teachers in the intervention group displayed significantly higher post-efficacy expectation scores (mean=3.52; sd=0.41) than comparison group teachers (mean=2.86; sd=0.55). Overall, the intervention group showed significant improvement in self-efficacy on 15 of the 18 items. DISCUSSION: The results suggest providing training and integrative resources to teachers can significantly improve self-efficacy toward teaching nutrition. Future research should focus on determining the amount of training needed to improve the quality of teacher-delivered nutrition education. TRANSLATION TO HEALTH EDUCATION PRACTICE: Health educators can use the findings to inform the development of teacher trainings in nutrition and health.