SHiNE: Supporting Healthful Initiatives in Nutrition Education
First, do no harm: Safe nutrition messaging in Australian schools
Overview
SHiNE is a research initiative focused on improving how food and nutrition are communicated to young people in schools. While public health efforts have traditionally focused on obesity, growing evidence shows that food-related messaging can unintentionally contribute to harm, including increasing rates of disordered eating among children and adolescents.
Recent updates to the Australian Curriculum have removed weight-stigmatising and food-critical content. However, schools currently have limited guidance on how to deliver nutrition education in ways that are safe, inclusive, and supportive of student wellbeing.
This project addresses that gap by developing clear, evidence-based guidance for schools to support positive and safe nutrition messaging.
To contact the SHiNE team or to find out how you can be involved, please email: shine@westernsydney.edu.au
Using an implementation science framework, this project will:
- Develop consensus-based guidelines for safe nutrition messaging in Australian primary and secondary schools
- Co-design and evaluate teacher training and classroom resources with teachers, students, and parents
- Support schools to implement curriculum changes with confidence and clarity
Rates of disordered eating among young people are increasing globally, with earlier onset and higher risk among some groups. Schools play a key role in shaping young people’s relationships with food, yet many educators report uncertainty about how to deliver nutrition education safely.
This project responds to an urgent need by providing:
- Clear, research-informed guidance for teachers
- Practical and accessible training and resources
- A prevention-focused approach to eating disorders
By supporting educators, SHiNE aims to promote positive relationships with food and reduce the risk of harm.
- Nationally endorsed guidelines for safe nutrition messaging in schools
- Evidence-based teacher training and classroom resources
- Improved confidence among educators in delivering nutrition education
- A scalable approach to eating disorder prevention in school settings
This work will position Australia as a leader in safe and effective nutrition education.
The project is grounded in collaboration and co-design. Teachers, students, parents, and stakeholders will be involved throughout all stages of the project, from guideline development to implementation and evaluation.
A multidisciplinary research team, together with national partner organisations across education, nutrition, and eating disorder sectors, will ensure that outputs are practical, relevant, and ready for use in schools.
Chief Investigators
- Associate Professor Gabriella Heruc, (opens in a new window) Western Sydney University
- Dr Catharine Fleming, (opens in a new window) Western Sydney University
- Dr Kirrilly Pursey, (opens in a new window) University of Newcastle
- Dr Sarah Kennedy, (opens in a new window) Western Sydney University
- Dr Lyza Norton, (opens in a new window) Western Sydney University
Associate Investigators
- Professor Tracy Burrows, (opens in a new window) University of Newcastle
- Associate Professor Zali Yager, (opens in a new window) Victoria University and Embrace Collective
- Dr Tetyana Rocks, (opens in a new window) Deakin University and Food and Mood Centre
- Associate Professor Deb Mitchison, (opens in a new window) University of Technology Sydney and Western Sydney University
- Associate Professor Deana Leahy, (opens in a new window) Monash University
- Kylie Burton, Parent advocate and former teacher
- Julia Rossi, Food technology teacher and former dietitian
- Alexi Cross, Youth advocate
- Professor Megan Warin, (opens in a new window) University of Adelaide
- Professor Robert Gorkin, (opens in a new window) Western Sydney University
- Megan Bray, (opens in a new window) Western Sydney University
This project is delivered in partnership with organisations across nutrition, education, and eating disorder prevention, including:
- Dietitians Australia (opens in a new window)
- Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation (opens in a new window)
- The Embrace Collective (opens in a new window)
- Eating Disorders Families Australia (opens in a new window)
- National Eating Disorders Collaboration (opens in a new window)
- Nutrition Australia ACT (opens in a new window)
- Nutrition Australia Queensland (opens in a new window)
- Life Education Australia (opens in a new window)
- Butterfly Foundation (opens in a new window)
- Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (opens in a new window)
We are currently recruiting participants for several studies:
Teachers (primary and secondary schools)
Take part in a 15 to 20 minute online survey about confidence and attitudes towards nutrition messaging. (opens in a new window)
Young people (aged 8 to 18 years)
Join a workshop to share your views on how food and nutrition are taught in schools. (opens in a new window) Workshops will be held online or in person in May 2026.
Young adults (aged 18 to 24 years)
Join an online focus group to provide feedback on draft guidelines. (opens in a new window)
Parents and guardians
Join an online focus group to help improve food and nutrition messaging in schools. (opens in a new window)
Young adults (aged 18 to 25 years) with lived experience of an eating disorder
Complete a 15 to 20 minute online survey to inform future recommendations. (opens in a new window)