RESEARCH

What is the Evidence Base for Integrating Health and Environmental Approaches in the School Context to Nurture Healthier and More Environmentally Aware Young People? A Systematic Scoping Review of Global Evidence

Out of the initial 3,051 screened titles and abstracts, a total of 87 sources were included in the final systematic scoping review after full-text screening and removal of duplicates. Of the empirical research captured in the review, 38 papers (44%) reported some form of outcome evaluation related to integrated approaches.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Children/Youth, Students

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Physical Health, Better Nutritional Awareness

Allied Profession Intersections: Education, Forest/Ecotherapy

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Meal/Diet-Based Activities, Environmental Education

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews, Observational Research, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Patient-Reported Outcomes, Program Effectiveness

Access: Paid

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Summary

This systematic scoping review aimed to synthesize existing academic and gray literature concerning the integration of health and environmental approaches within the mainstream school context (ages 3-18) globally. The research was driven by the increasing societal challenges posed by “wicked problems” related to human health and environmental change, recognizing that schools are crucial settings for shaping behaviors in early life. The study highlights the historical role of schools in public health, influenced by frameworks like the WHO’s Health Promoting Schools, and acknowledges the parallel development of ecologically friendly or sustainable school concepts. Despite integrated approaches gaining traction, the review sought to clarify the existing evidence base regarding what works and how in nurturing healthier and more environmentally aware young people through these combined strategies.

The study employed a systematic scoping review methodology following established guidelines to map the extent and range of evidence. The search strategy involved applying comprehensive search terms across ten health, education, and social science databases, as well as conducting searches for gray literature, covering a 20-year period between 1998 and 2018. Sources were included if they focused on mainstream schools and discussed activities, policies, curricula, ethos, or physical adaptations aimed at promoting both health/wellbeing and environmental sustainability awareness/action. A key characteristic of the scoping review design was that no formal quality assessment of the included sources was undertaken; instead, the goal was to broadly map the available literature. Data was abstracted on descriptive characteristics and a narrative synthesis was performed to identify approaches, theoretical frameworks, reported impacts, and knowledge gap.

Link

Proctor, R., Guell, C., Wyatt, K., & Williams, A.J. (2020). What is the evidence base for integrating health and environmental approaches in the school context to nurture healthier and more environmentally aware young people? A systematic scoping review of global evidence. Health & Place 64, 102356

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