Meals & Motion
Meals and Motion
How we co-designed our strategy for OSHC Food and Physical Activity with QUT.
Jabiru achieves great things through the power of connection. So, when we needed to make sure we had the best approach to Food and Physical Activity in the OSHC sector, we sought the assistance of highly qualified academics to help us develop an evidence-based approach. We created our plan with The Centre for Childhood Nutrition Research (CCNR) at the School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences in the QUT Faculty of Health.
Why did we need a Food and Physical Activity Action Plan?
The Report of the Chief Health Officer tells us that, based on parent-reported height and weight in 2024, more than 1 in 4 children living in Queensland were overweight or obese.
It also showed that this overweight and obesity was 2.6 times more likely among children living in the most disadvantaged areas.
Half of Queensland children aged 5 to 17 years were physically active for at least one hour every day, as recommended. And only 3.1% of those children ate the recommended daily serves of vegetables.
This speaks directly to our purpose as an education-and-care provider and to our compassion, as members of families ourselves.
1 in 4 children affected
The Report of the Chief Health Officer tells us that, based on parent-reported height and weight in 2024, more than 1 in 4 children living in Queensland were overweight or obese.
Disadvantage doubles the risk
It also showed that this overweight and obesity was 2.6 times more likely among children living in the most disadvantaged areas.
Activity and nutrition gaps
Half of Queensland children aged 5 to 17 years were physically active for at least one hour every day, as recommended. And only 3.1% of those children ate the recommended daily serves of vegetables.
Our responsibility to act
This speaks directly to our purpose as an education-and-care provider and to our compassion, as members of families ourselves.’
Catering for increasingly diverse needs
A key part of our brief to QUT was that we had identified increasingly diverse social, physical and abilities-based needs among the families who rely on our service. We also needed to develop a plan that would aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Framework.
We worked together with a Professor, Associate Professor and Lecturer in nutrition and dietetics to develop a plan that would:
Meet its mission of supporting vulnerable families and children
Support educators in providing meaningful, diverse experiences
Meet the cultural, social and space needs of the children
Explore stronger connections with Jabiru’s partner schools
Provide guidance on evaluation.
Academic excellence that directly connects with our community
The Centre for Child Health Research investigates the fundamental, clinical, social and public health factors related to improving child nutrition and optimal health.
It pays particular attention to those living with disadvantage and deprivation.
The research was premised on using a trauma-informed, co-designed framework to design, develop and deliver research and provides an advocacy platform to amplify the voices of children and their families in order to achieve optimal health.
As part of the Jabiru Working Group, their research was able to establish connections between OSHC staff, parents, schools and other providers to co-design a world-class Food and Physical Activity Action Plan.
To find out more about Jabiru connections and partnerships, contact our head office on 07 3269 0044 or email office@jabiru.org.au.
