Integrating the SDGs into Dietetics Education: A Video-Based Teaching Initiative on the Planetary Health Diet

Background and Aims:

“Sustainable nutrition concerns everyone” – under this motto, the Dietetics degree programme at FH Campus Wien (FHCW), in cooperation with the university’s workplace health promotion programme “Campus Vital”, launched an educational initiative to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into higher education. As part of the course Prevention Project, students developed and delivered a series of lectures and cooking workshops addressing the Planetary Health Diet – a global reference diet for promoting health while respecting planetary boundaries.

The main objective was to empower both staff and students at FHCW to incorporate the principles of the Planetary Health Diet into their daily lives, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable resource use.

Implementation and Findings:

Between 2 May and 6 June 2023, the initiative offered three themed sessions consisting of lectures and practical cooking workshops:

1. Planetary Health Diet – The Basics (lecture)
2. Powered by Plants – Introduction to Vegan Nutrition (lecture and workshop)
3. Time is Ticking – Sustainable Fast Food (lecture and workshop)

The content was delivered by students and recorded for broader access. Videos, recipes, and workshop highlights were made available on Moodle, allowing for cross-cohort learning and long-term integration into teaching materials.

The initiative received positive feedback from participants and significantly increased awareness of sustainable nutrition and its practical application among the university community.