Evidence-based web-mediated professional learning program for Early Childhood Education and Care addressing physical activity and healthy eating behaviours of young children

The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) environment has been identified as an optimal environment for the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity. A number of factors influence healthy eating and physical activity in the ECEC environment, including the quality of the environment, and ongoing Professional Learning (PL) of ECEC educators. This project investigated the relationship between the quality of ECEC environment and children’s physical activity and evaluated the efficacy of a blended PL program focusing on healthy eating and physical activity. A systematic review was conducted to investigate the impact of PL in physical activity interventions on childrens objectively measured physical activity. A cross sectional study investigated the relationship between the quality of the ECEC environment and physical activity and sedentary behaviours of toddlers and preschoolers (n=68).