Study on Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity Environments

Study on Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity Environments

The purpose of this study is to design and conduct research to tailor out of school time evaluation materials so they are applicable to various settings in Boston, are efficient in that minimal resources and time are used, and are useful to participants.

Nearly half of Boston's school age children (49%) participate in out of school time programs, a critical time to intervene on physical activity and nutrition. Previous research has mostly focused on during-school-day efforts, or on child care policies and practices for very young children, leaving a gap in the knowledge of what might work with programs serving school-age children during out of school time. OSNAP aims to implement low cost and sustainable policy and environmental interventions to improve physical activity and healthy eating/beverage environments. Data will be collected via observations, plate waste and accelerometers on program policies, environments, practices and behavioral outcomes related to physical activity, beverage, snack and screen time outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Afterschool programs in Boston MA serving at least 40 children ages 5-12 years operating the full school year between September and June
• Afterschool programs serving a snack to children
• Children between the ages of 5 and 12 years