Service-learning in Higher Education Relevant to the Promotion of Physical Activity, Healthful Eating, and Prevention of Obesity

Service-learning is a type of experiential teaching and learningstrategy combining classroom instruction and meaningfulcommunity service and guided activities for reflection. thiseducational approach has been used frequently in higher educationsettings, including an array of disciplines such as medicine,theology, public health, physical education, nutrition, psychology,anthropology, and sociology. the purpose of the present reviewpaper was to provide guidance on the use of service-learningwithin higher education, relevant to the preventive medicine andpublic health topics of healthful eating, physical activity, andobesity prevention. in service-learning, coursework is structuredto address community needs, and to benefit students through thereal-world application of knowledge. the benefits for studentsinclude positive impacts on social skills, empathy, awareness,understanding, and concern regarding community issues, plusgreater confidence and skills to work with diverse populations,increased awareness of community resources, improvedmotivation, and enhanced knowledge. educational institutionsmay also benefit through improved “town and gown” relations,as strong ties, partnerships, and mutually beneficial activities takeplace. the present literature review describes several servicelearningapplications such as nutrition education for kids, dietaryimprovement for seniors, foodservice recipe modificationon a college campus, an intergenerational physical activityprogram for nursing home residents, motor skill developmentin kindergarteners, organized elementary school recess physicalactivities, health education, and obesity prevention in children.from this review, service-learning appears to have great potentialas a flexible component of academic coursework in the areas ofpreventive medicine and public health.