Addressing food insecurity in Australia through education for sustainability

Abstract

Within Australia food insecurity affects an estimated 4 million people annually. Health promotion degrees traditionally prepare pre-service graduates to address food insecurity from a social determinants perspective, little consideration of integrating ecological determinants, however, has been noted. This is a significant problem considering unprecedented environmental challenges facing future food production. Education for sustainability (EfS) is purported to develop graduates who can respond to significant sustainability issues in the 21st century. This study examined the potential for health promotion degrees to utilize EfS to address food insecurity through an ecological lens. The study also illustrates why it might be valuable for academics to use such an approach. Semi-structured interviews with 15 Australian health and sustainability academics and document analysis of 26 associated teaching units was undertaken. Thematic analysis informed the data analysis process to provide meaning and insight into emerging themes. Academics were unaware of EfS or its potential for developing ecologically literate graduates. A lack of university commitment towards sustainability and knowledge and skills to implement EfS were identified as potential barriers. Academics, however, were ascribing to the central tenets used in EfS such as interdisciplinary thinking and reflective practice, demonstrating its potential use in health promotion. EfS, as a framework for incorporating an ecological perspective into health promotion degrees has not been fully realized. This study suggests capacity building of academics with regard to the use of EfS as an approach within health promotion degrees to address significant sustainability issues in the 21st century, such as food insecurity.

Keywords: environment; food; health education; sustainability; sustainable development goals.