Experiential learning is the process where learners create meaning from direct experience. This systematic review aimed to examine the effects of experiential learning activities on dietary outcomes (knowledge, attitudes, behaviors) in children. Four databases: Education Research Complete, Scopus, Web of Science and PsychINFO were searched from database inception to 2020. Eligible studies included children 0–12 years, assessed effect of experiential learning on outcomes of interest compared to non-experiential learning and were open to any setting. The quality of studies was assessed using the revised Cochrane risk of bias tool by two independent reviewers and effect size was calculated on each outcome. Nineteen studies were conducted in primary school, six in pre-school and one in an outside-of-school setting and used nine types of experiential learning strategies. Cooking, taste-testing, games, role-playing, and gardening were effective in improving nutrition outcomes in primary school children. Sensory evaluation, games, creative arts, and storybooks were effective for preschool children. Multiple strategies involving parents, and short/intense strategies are useful for intervention success. Experiential learning is a useful strategy to improve children’s knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors towards healthy eating. Fewer studies in pre-school and outside of school settings and high risk of bias may limit the generalizability and strength of the findings.

Background: This systematic review examined the effectiveness of experiential learning interventions for improving children’s physical activity knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours. It also aimed to identify intervention characteristics that resulted in the greatest impact. Methods: Four databases: Education Research Complete, Scopus, Web of Science and PsychINFO were searched from database inception to January 2023. Eligible studies: (1) included children 0–12 years; (2) assessed the effect of physical activity outcomes on children’s physical activity knowledge, attitudes or behaviour and (3) were randomised controlled trials conducted in any setting. Study risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Intervention approaches were categorised, and effect sizes were compared across studies for each outcome. Results: Twelve studies were included in the review: ten in school age and two in below five years. For behavioural outcomes, six of eight studies showed medium to large effects (effects size (ES) range: 0.3–0.9), two of the three studies that assessed attitudinal outcomes displayed medium effects (ES range: 0.4–0.5) and both studies that assessed knowledge outcomes displayed medium to large effects (ES range: 0.4–1.3). The two experiential learning interventions among children < 5 years demonstrated small to medium effects on behaviour change (ES range: 0.2–0.5). Effective interventions combined enjoyable practical activities (fitness activities, games and challenges), with behaviour change techniques (goal setting, and self-monitoring), were underpinned by a behaviour change theory, and were often of short duration (< 4 months) but intense (several sessions/week). Moderate to high statistical heterogeneity was observed for behaviour outcomes and risk of bias across studies was generally high. Conclusions: This review provides some evidence supporting the effectiveness of experiential learning interventions in improving physical activity outcomes in school-aged children. Additional evidence is needed in children <5 years old. Future experiential learning interventions need to strengthen the evidence with rigorous methodological quality and clear reporting of the experiential learning components.

Settings: Three tuberculosis (TB) treatment centres under the Fiji National Tuberculosis Programme. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among TB patients for the period 2010–2012, and to evaluate sputum smear conversion and anti-tuberculosis treatment outcomes, comparing patients with and without DM. Design: A retrospective descriptive study using routinely collected data from the TB register and in-patient folders. Results: Of 577 TB patients identified, information on DM was available for 567 (98%), of whom 68 (12%) had DM. Smear status at 2 months was available for 254 (82%) patients with sputum smear-positive pulmonary TB. The sputum smear conversion rate (from positive to negative) was equivalent in TB patients with and without DM (78% vs. 80%, P = 0.66). Anti-tuberculosis treatment outcome information was available for 462 patients; the difference in outcome comparing successfully treated patients with those unsuccessfully treated was not statistically significant (91% in TB patients with DM vs. 84% in TB patients without DM, P = 0.06). Conclusion: DM is common among TB patients in Fiji. Sputum smear conversion rates were not different in TB patients with and without DM; no difference in treatment success between the two groups was observed.

SETTING: Childhood obesity is of growing public health concern in Fiji. The study setting was primary schools in Fiji's Western Division.OBJECTIVE: 1) To assess primary schools' compliance with national school canteen guidelines, 2) to understand reasons for non-compliance, and 3) to assess the relationship between compliance with the guidelines and students' body mass index (BMI).DESIGN: Cross-sectional analysis of data collected in 2010 by public health dieticians of the Ministry of Health on annual visits to primary schools.RESULTS: Among 230 schools, 33 (14%) had no canteen data. Of the 197 schools with data, only 31 (16%) were fully compliant with national school canteen guidelines, while the remaining 166 (84%) did not fully comply with the guidelines. This was irrespective of school location or whether the canteen was school or commercially operated. In a random sample ( n = 44 schools), overweight and obesity were more common among children in non-compliant schools than in fully compliant schools (40% vs. 32%, P = 0.001).CONCLUSION: Most primary schools in Fiji's Western Division did not comply with school canteen guidelines, which is worrying given the increasing rates of overweight children. Given the association between non-compliance and student overweight/obesity, further action is needed to ensure that these guidelines are implemented.

Encouraging healthy eating and physical activity in children has long-term benefits for their health and development, however many do not meet the requirements for fruit and vegetable consumption, or physical activity. Experiential learning (EL) has been shown to improve children’s healthy eating and physical activity-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour. Children’s museums provide opportunities for hands-on EL activities that can engage families. This study examined stakeholder perspectives on the perceived feasibility, acceptability, fidelity and impact of an EL health-promoting program in a children’s museum. A qualitative case study was conducted at the Early Start Discovery Space, a university-based children’s museum, in Australia. The study involved implementing a 4-week Healthy Living program comprising EL activities related to food and movement for children aged 0–10 years. Perceived feasibility, acceptability, fidelity and impact were assessed through focus groups and observations. Focus groups (23 participants, 17 caregivers and 6 museum staff) were conducted post-implementation. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. 15 HL sessions were observed throughout implementation. Stakeholders perceived that the HL program was feasible and acceptable. As a result of consultation between researchers and museum staff, the HL program was easily implemented in the museum. Stakeholders suggested that children and their carers enjoyed the HL activities and were engaged in the HL activities. Aspects of fidelity were explored and showed that most sessions were delivered as intended, however, the delivery of the key messages was suboptimal. Perceived changes in children’s knowledge, attitudes behaviour relating to healthy eating and physical activity were minimal. Key stakeholders (museum staff and caregivers) provided insights regarding perceived feasibility and acceptability of the HL program delivered in the children’s museum. Preliminary findings highlight the potential of children’s museums as a setting for EL health eating and physical activity programs. Further, this study highlights the significance of stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and incorporation of hands-on and enjoyable activities to promote healthy habits in children. Future studies, with larger sample sizes, should be conducted to extend the results from this study.