Abstract

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an online short course based on the Health Promoting Schools Framework and specifically designed for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals. The short course aimed to enhance ECEC professionals’ nutrition knowledge, confidence, role legitimacy and adequacy to model healthy behaviours, teach healthy food habits and create health-promoting environments. Participants (n = 116) working at Australian ECEC services were assigned to control (n = 62) or intervention (n = 54) groups. Both groups completed a pre-intervention survey. The intervention group accessed the four-week course and completed the post-intervention survey. The control group completed a second survey after four weeks but before accessing the course. Statistical analyses revealed significant positive changes in confidence, nutrition information utilisation and role perception for the intervention group. This study’s findings suggest that evidence-based online nutrition training could be used improve ECEC professionals’ practice to foster better nutrition outcomes for young children.

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

1-1-2025

Volume

50

Issue

1

Funding Information

Edith Cowan University (G1003434)

School

Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences / School of Science

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Publisher

Sage

Comments

Wallace, R., Sambell, R., Fu, S. C., Lo, J., Cook, E. J., & Devine, A. (2025). Enhancing nutrition information utilisation, confidence, and role legitimacy and adequacy among early childhood education professionals through evidence-based online training. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 50(1), 50-65. https://doi.org/10.1177/18369391241270539

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1177/18369391241270539