Enhancing healthy eating and active play in the Australian early childhood education and care system.

ABSTRACT: Early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings are crucial for promoting healthy eating (HE) and physical activity (PA) among young children. However, the implementation of health promotion strategies in these settings is often inconsistent and suboptimal. This study applied a systems thinking approach to identify potential leverage points for improving HE and PA promotion in Australian ECEC settings. The study involved qualitative systems mapping through a desktop review and interviews with a purposive sample of stakeholders from the ECEC sector, to explore gaps, opportunities, and strategies, for strengthening HE and PA promotion. Interview data were analysed in NVivo 14 using reflexive thematic analysis within a constructivist paradigm. The desktop review showed that although ECEC q

SUBMITTER: Kuswara K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12669996 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature