ABSTRACT
Integrating key concepts on school gardening and nutrition in primary education curriculum has long been recognized as a nutrition intervention in addressing malnutrition among schoolchildren. While there are activities towards this end in several developing countries, these are largely not documented and evaluated as to their effectiveness and sustainability. There is also a need to address quality of teaching nutrition, learning and teaching materials, and resources. Primary education is a unique setting for promoting optimal nutrition due to a multiplier effect where the school child’s family and community can be engaged and captures the school child’s life-long learning and total development at an early stage. Educating schoolchildren on nutrition and healthy lifestyle at a young age promotes optimal growth and wellbeing and minimizes the risk of nutrient-related chronic diseases in adulthood. This chapter describes the current practices on integrating nutrition in the primary education curriculum and challenges in incorporating key concepts of school gardening and nutrition.
