Active Hours Afterschool News

Kids on the Move: Afterschool programs keep kids on the move toward good health

An America After 3PM special report, Kids on the Move, shows that parents with children in afterschool programs are overwhelmingly satisfied with the job afterschool programs are doing to provide kids with nutritious snacks and opportunities for exercise. The special report shines a light on the critical, but often underappreciated, role that afterschool, before-school and summer learning programs are playing in keeping our kids healthy and fit—a key goal at a time when the nation faces epidemic levels of obesity and physical inactivity. These programs have a profound impact on a growing number of our nation’s kids: they serve 10 million children and youth across America, up from 6.5 million a decade ago. But an additional 19 million children would enroll in an afterschool program if one were available, the study shows. Many of them are missing out on opportunities for exercise, health education, hands-on learning, homework help, mentoring, and much more.

Policy development resource for promoting physical activity and nutrition in afterschool

The Afterschool Investments Project, a joint effort of The Finance Project and The National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices, has created a strategy brief to help afterschool programs and policymakers support childhood obesity prevention efforts. "Promoting Physical Activity and Healthy Nutrition in Afterschool Settings: Strategies for Program Leaders and Policymakers" makes the case for why afterschool programs are key in helping to develop healthy physical activity and nutrition habits, highlights promising program policies and practices, and provides examples of resources and strategies to help develop and fund wellness efforts.

General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids announces grants to promote healthful eating and physical activity

General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids, a national grant program developed by the General Mills Foundation in partnership with the American Dietetic Association Foundation and the President's Council on Physical Fitness, will be accepting applications for grants to support innovative strategies to improve nutrition and physical activity habits among youth. In total, 50 grants of $10,000 each will be made available to nonprofit, community-based organizations that serve youth ages 2 - 18. If you're interested in applying for a grant, act soon; applications are due by January 15, 2008. Follow the links below to learn more about the General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids initiative and how your organization can apply for a grant.

Lights On Afterschool events highlight health and fitness activities

Afterschool programs have an important role to play in promoting healthy lifestyles among youth, in particular by providing opportunities for organized physical activity and physical and nutrition education, and by offering healthful snacks. On October 18th, thousands of communities across the country took part in the eighth annual Lights On Afterschool, a national celebration of afterschool. As part of their Lights On Afterschool events, many afterschool programs showcased the work they are doing to promote health and fitness in the afterschool hours. Find out more about Lights On Afterschool by following the links below.

New brief explores opportunities for physical activity and nutrition in afterschool

The California Adolescent Nutrition and Fitness (CANFit) Program has announced the release of a new policy brief that explores current afterschool developments in California and the opportunities and challenges these developments have created for afterschool programs that provide physical activity and nutrition programs for youth. "The After School Landscape in California: Opportunities of the After School Education and Safety Program Act" also provides recommendations for communities interested in expanding afterschool opportunities to promote healthy lifestyles. The brief can be downloaded from the CANFit website by following the links below.

Action for Healthy Kids releases report on afterschool and student wellness

A new report from Action for Healthy Kids, "Beyond the School Day: Utilizing After-School as Part of a School Wellness Strategy," profiles the role afterschool plays in school wellness efforts in four states. Action for Healthy Kids State Teams in Tennessee, Colorado, Alabama and Missouri have worked successfully with afterschool providers in their states to implement policies and practices that promote physical activity and good nutrition by engaging parents and families; forming beneficial partnerships with community organizations; and recruiting, training and retaining skilled afterschool staff. To read the full Field Report and to learn about your Action for Healthy Kids State Team, follow the links below.

CCS publishes guide to exemplary practices in nutrition and physical activity in afterschool

The Center for Collaborative Solutions (CCS), with the assistance of a group of more than 35 experts in nutrition education, physical activity, food security, afterschool, education and other related fields, has developed a new resource, "Developing Exemplary Practices in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Food Security in Afterschool Programs." The guide outlines six exemplary practices applied by 11 of California's signature afterschool programs. You can download the guide and learn more CCS's three-year afterschool health initiative by following the links below, or by contacting CCS at (916)567-9911.

Afterschool part of successful community-based intervention to combat childhood obesity

A recently published evaluation revealed that Shape Up Somerville, a community-based childhood obesity intervention project conducted by researchers at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, was shown to be successful in reducing weight gain in children at risk for obesity. The intervention, conducted in Somerville, Massachusetts, focused on improving physical activity and healthy eating options for public school children in grades 1-3 in a variety of environments, including before and afterschool programs. The afterschool nutrition and physical activity curriculum used in the project, HEAT (Healthy Eating, Active Time) Club After School Curriculum, has been implemented in more than 120 afterschool programs throughout the country. To learn more about the HEAT Club After School Curriculum, including how to bring HEAT Club to your program, follow the links below.

Physical activity in afterschool makes priority list for federal policy agenda

On May 8th and 9th, public health and private sector leaders convened at the National Summit on Obesity Policy in Washington, DC, to develop a federal policy agenda for combating the obesity epidemic. Summit participants, including Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tom Harkin (D-IA), developed a list of high-priority policy actions, one of which was a recommendation that before-school and afterschool programs, including 21st Century Community Learning Centers and other federally funded programs, incorporate physical activity into their programming. Participants also recommended increasing re-authorization funding levels for the Carol M. White (PEP) program. Follow the link below to read a report on the summit.

Afterschool club model shows promise in combating childhood obesity

The Joy of Sports Foundation, with support from the California Endowment, is implementing a school-based obesity prevention program model as part of its Healthy Kids 2005 initiative. Joy of Sports has partnered with the Del Rio Elementary School in Oceanside, California, to implement the initiative, which focuses on nutrition education, sports and fitness, and life skills. A key component of the initiative is the Healthy Kids Club, an afterschool and summer program geared toward students with high risk factors for obesity, such as physical inactivity and poor nutrition. The initiative has demonstrated promising results: In its second and third years, obesity rates were reduced by 22 percent school wide, and participants have shown increased cardiovascular fitness, improved strength and flexibility and increased nutritional knowledge.

Active afterschool key to Florida middle school's wellness initiatives

The most recent edition of Alliance for a Healthier Generation's monthly Success Stories newsletter shines a spotlight on new initiatives that the School Wellness Council at Bellevue Middle School in Pensacola has launched in support of student and staff wellness. One initiative focuses on providing afterschool opportunities for physical activity and nutrition education, such as a running club and dance classes. For more ideas about how afterschool programs can contribute to school wellness initiatives, check out the Afterschool Alliance Local Wellness Policy Toolkit for Afterschool Programs by following the links below.

Join a national registry of childhood obesity prevention efforts

Shaping America's Youth (SAY), a public-private initiative dedicated to promoting healthier lifestyles for children, is inviting community organizations and programs to take part in its second national survey of obesity prevention programs and initiatives. Data from the first survey, completed in 2004, have been used by national health organizations such as the Institute of Medicine to track the numerous efforts around the country to address the epidemic. Programs and organizations that complete the survey may also opt to share their efforts with a greater audience by joining the SAY Program Registry, a searchable, web-based database of childhood obesity interventions.

Innovation drives feedback, buy-in for school nutrition policy toolkit

FamilyCook productions has introduced a new tool for the development of school nutrition policies, School Community Food Assessment: A step-by-step toolkit to achieve consensus among school staff, students and parents for healthful food & beverages at school. Designed to emphasize the involvement of parents, students, teachers and other stakeholders in the process of initiating policy change, the toolkit includes resources such as sample meeting outlines and agendas, assessment tools and task timelines. The School Community Food Assessment utilizes Photovoice, an innovative communication technique, to maximize student input and parent buy-in in the policy process. To download a free copy of the toolkit and to check out Look Who's Cooking, a 15-week afterschool cooking and nutrition curriculum, follow the links below.

Ohio Afterschool Network and Ohio Action for Healthy Kids team up to support wellness after school

Ohio's Children's Hunger Alliance, one of five partner agencies that make up the Ohio Afterschool Network, received $16,000 from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), another Network partner, to enroll 40 new afterschool sites in the afterschool meals and snacks program. In addition to meals, each of the 40 sites received the Action for Healthy Kids ReCharge! curriculum and $400 worth of nutrition materials and physical activity equipment. The ODJFS distributed an additional $14,000 through Ohio Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) State Team's regional zone structure to purchase materials to increase afterschool food and fitness through educational workshops for schools and afterschool providers.

Partnerships sustain efforts to promote healthy lifestyles in afterschool programs

LA's BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow), an afterschool program serving approximately 23,000 youth between the ages of 5 and 12 in the city of Los Angeles, has implemented a unique initiative that brings together public and private partners to improve the health of youth and families served by the program. The BEST Fit initiative is featured in the fall 2006 edition of Harvard Family Research Project's Evaluation Exchange because of the innovative way it is using community partnerships and evaluation techniques to expand and improve the program. To learn more about the BEST Fit initiative and LA's BEST, follow the links below.

Action for Healthy Kids releases blueprint for healthy schools and afterschool

Action for Healthy Kids' new "Campaign for School Wellness" aims to assist schools, parents, and communities in effectively implementing, tracking, and strengthening their wellness policies and practices. To help kick off the Campaign, Action for Healthy Kids has issued a new report, A Mission Becomes a Mandate, which provides a blueprint for the campaign and also highlights how Action for Healthy Kids is working to make the afterschool hours healthier. The report can be downloaded for free from the Action for Healthy Kids website, by following the links below.

Afterschool programs should bolster physical activity and PE, says the Institute of Medicine

With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the National Academies of Sciences Institute of Medicine (IOM) has issued a report which examines how the nation has responded to guidelines for preventing childhood obesity outlined in the landmark 2005 report Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance. The new IOM report, Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity: How Do We Measure Up? is an examination of the progress made by a broad range of stakeholders, including government, industry, media, communities and schools, in implementing programs, policies and interventions to address the epidemic. Among the suggested "next steps" outlined by the IOM is the recommendation that school-based programs, including childcare and afterschool, focus efforts on improving physical education and physical activity policies and programs. The study can be accessed through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation website, by following the link below.

Study examines Sacramento START's afterschool snack programs

Sacramento START's policies for afterschool snacks have resulted in significant changes, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH). The authors of the study, from the University of California at Davis, the Health Education Council and from the Sacramento START afterschool program, examined the results of the program's policies for afterschool snacks and implementation of the Children's 5 a Day--Power Play! curricula at all 44 program sites. Their study concluded that the policies had resulted in an increase in fruit consumption by 83 percent and a decrease of saturated fat consumption by 42 percent. An abstract of the study can be downloaded for free from the AJPH site, or a full copy can be purchased online by following the links below.

Tools to reduce idle time for 'tweens

The California Obesity Prevention Initiative (California Department of Health Services) has made copies of its pilot-tested obesity prevention program Do More, Watch Less available online. The toolkit, designed specifically for afterschool and out-of-school time settings, focuses on getting youth ages 10 to 14 to spend more time physically active and less time in engaged sedentary pursuits such as watching TV and playing video games. Copies can be obtained by following the links below.

New internet-based tool for developing nutrition and physical activity policies launched

The Prevention Institute, a nonprofit national center dedicated to improving community health and well-being, has launched a new policy tool: The Environmental Nutrition and Activity (ENACT) Local Policy Database. This searchable database contains examples of nutrition and physical activity policies that have been adopted and implemented in a variety of environments, including afterschool programs. Follow the links below to try out this new tool and to learn more about the Prevention Institute and the Strategic Alliance, a coalition of nutrition and physical activity advocates in California.

New research on sports and physical activity in afterschool

Policy Studies Associates, Inc., with support from the Afterschool Project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, has released the study Everyone Plays: A Review of Research on the Integration of Sports and Physical Activity into Out-of-School Time Programs. The 22-page report examines the characteristics of effective programs, their role in healthy youth development and implications for policy and practice. The report can be downloaded by following the links below.

National Institute on Out-of-School Time reviews afterschool physical activity and nutrition curricula

Researchers at the National Institute on Out-of-School Time have evaluated a range of nutrition and physical activity curricula based on their alignment with the National Afterschool Association's six major program standards and related "Keys of Quality." A new report, Healthy Choices Afterschool: Investigation of the Alignment of Physical Activity and Nutrition Programs/Curricula and the National Afterschool Association Program Standards, summarizes the results of their research and provides detailed profiles of 20 curricula and programs from various sources. This is a helpful tool for afterschool program leaders and administrators who are looking to implement quality nutrition and physical activity curricula in their programs.

Web forum on school wellness policies now available online

On April 27, 2006, Action for Healthy Kids hosted a panel of nationally recognized educational leaders in school reform and school wellness for an important discussion and Q&A session "The Role of School Wellness in Creating High-Performing Schools." The web forum, part of Action for Healthy Kids' Campaign for School Wellness, explored how school wellness can contribute to a high-performing school and be part of an ongoing school improvement strategy, and how wellness advocates can help administrators achieve school-improvement goals. Originally broadcast over the web, this 75 minute event has been archived and is now available for viewing through the Action for Healthy Kids website. To view the forum and access the support materials, follow the link below.

A new tool to get parents involved in local wellness policies

The Food Research and Action Council (FRAC) has created an outreach brochure designed to engage parents in the development of local wellness policies. The brochure explains the local wellness policy requirement, offers tips for getting involved and highlights ways that afterschool and summer programs can be included in the district-level policies. This is a great resource to share with parents at your programs, especially if you are involved in efforts to develop a local wellness policy in your district.

Beverage industry adopts nutrition standards for drinks sold in schools

Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association, has brokered an agreement with several major beverage manufacturers to set nutritional guidelines for drinks sold in schools. The new guidelines set a limit on the number of allowable calories for beverages sold in elementary, middle and high schools, and although high schools will be allowed to continue vending diet sodas and sports drinks, elementary and middle schools will be limited to water, some juices and low-fat or non-fat milk. In addition to setting standards for drinks sold during the school day, the guidelines will also apply to drinks sold during school-sponsored activities and in afterschool and child care programs.

Afterschool programs are a key component in Maryland's plan to get healthy

State health officials in Maryland have unveiled a comprehensive plan for preventing obesity and promoting physical activity and nutrition in the state. The Maryland Nutrition and Physical Activity State Plan outlines a number of short-term and intermediate goals for nutrition and physical activity over the next ten years and suggests specific strategies for achieving these goals. Afterschool programs figure prominently in the recommended strategies and action steps for school-community settings.

Town hall meeting participants identify afterschool as important strategy for fighting childhood obesity

On January 27, 2006, several hundred citizens of Memphis, Tennessee, convened for a town hall meeting on childhood obesity and physical inactivity organized by Shaping America's Youth, a public-private initiative focused on promoting healthier lifestyles for children. Participants, who represented a broad range of community stakeholders, shared their concerns and priorities for prevention with health and government officials, including Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and Assistant U.S. Surgeon General Woodie Kessel. When presented with several suggested actions for national leaders and institutions, community members identified more support for physical activity and afterschool programs as the options with the most potential impact for children and youth.

Childhood obesity rates still increasing, according to new data

A study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in April reports that the rate of childhood obesity in the United States is steadily increasing. Using new data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers found that in 2004 the prevalence of overweight in children ages 9 to 11 grew to 18.8%, and reached 17.1% for youth ages 12 to 19. State-specific fact sheets on childhood overweight are available from the CDC and can be accessed by following the links below.

National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks introduces new obesity prevention resource

On Wednesday, March 23, the National Network of Statewide Afterschool Networks hosted an audio conference, "Afterschool as a Vehicle for Youth Obesity Prevention," which addressed childhood obesity and the role that afterschool plays in prevention. Speakers included Jen Rinehart, associate director of the Afterschool Alliance; Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, executive director of Action for Healthy Kids; Suzanne Kelley with the Obesity Prevention Program at the Vermont Department of Health, and J.D. Beiting with the Ohio Afterschool Network. The National Network has created a companion webpage to the audio conference that features wellness and obesity prevention resources for afterschool around five areas: partnerships, policies, models, research and data collection systems and funding. Follow the link below to check out the Afterschool as a Vehicle for Obesity Prevention page and to download a transcript of the audio conference.

Girl Scout Reseach Institute studies girls' attitudes toward health and obesity

The New Normal? What Girls Say About Healthy Living, a new study released this week by the Girl Scout Research Institute, examines the knowledge and attitudes about obesity and healthy behaviors among girls between the ages of 8 and 17. The institute concluded that although girls value healthy behaviors and have a broad definition of health, they face many obstacles that prevent them from adopting healthy habits, including a lack of access to healthy foods in schools and few opportunities for physical activity outside of the school day. Additionally, the Girl Scouts of the USA calls upon girls and their families to become involved in the development and implementation of their schools' local wellness policies to ensure that girls' perspectives are incorporated into school-based efforts around health promotion.

Study shows afterschool programs help prevent obesity, improve peer acceptance

Researchers from Yale University's Department of Psychology and from New York University's Department of Applied Psychology conducted a longitudinal study of afterschool program participation and its effect on obesity status and peer acceptance. They tracked 439 boys and girls enrolled in afterschool programs at three elementary schools in the northeastern United States over a period of two years. Their study revealed that the afterschool program participants were significantly less likely to be obese at the follow-up and were more likely to have increased acceptance among their peers.

Governor calls for more afterschool programs to keep kids fit

In his 2006 State of the State Address, New Mexico's Governor Bill Richardson called for more afterschool programs to help the state with the fight against childhood obesity. In the address, released on January 17, Gov. Richardson cited an economic burden related to obesity that costs the state $324 million per year and stated that more afterschool programs will help to decrease child obesity and expand opportunities for physical activity for youth.

Bring Healthy Children Healthy Futures to your afterschool program

Created by the Strang Cancer Prevention Center with support from the MetLife Foundation, Healthy Children Healthy Futures is a pilot-tested program for use in afterschool and out-of-school-time settings that uses youth-created media and messaging to promote nutrition and physical activity among youth ages 9 to 14. Initially launched in afterschool and community programs in Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York, the Healthy Children Healthy Futures program has since been implemented in three additional cities. Training and materials are now available for afterschool programs that are interested in bringing Healthy Children Healthy Futures to their area. Follow the links below to find out more about the program and how to bring it to your site.

AED releases study on developmentally focused youth sports programs

The Academy for Educational Development's Center for Youth Development and Policy Research has released a study on youth sports programs that go beyond traditional programming to incorporate youth development principles and practices. "Sports as a Hook: An exploratory study of developmentally focused youth sports programs" takes an in-depth look at out-of-school-time sports programs, identifying promising practices and exploring the outcomes and benefits associated with participation in the programs.

New interactive website with resources for afterschool providers

The HHS Child Care Bureau is pleased to announce the launch of Fit Source--an interactive Web site for child care and afterschool providers looking for resources to help address the nation's childhood obesity epidemic. The site allows providers to easily search for a variety of physical activity and nutrition resources by age, topic, and keywords. Providers will find: games and activities, lesson plans, healthy recipes, information for parents, fitness campaigns, funding strategies, informational resources, and Spanish language Web sites. The site links to existing federal resources, and was developed after receiving input from over 100 child care providers about their needs.

Action for Healthy Kids and NFL create afterschool physical activity and nutrition program

Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), which works to improve nutrition and physical activity in schools, and the National Football League (NFL) have created a new physical activity and nutrition program specifically for the afterschool hours. Geared toward youth in grades 3-6, ReCharge offers a variety of activities and snack ideas that get kids active and reinforce healthy life habits. More information about the program, including how to start one at your site, can be found on the Action for Healthy Kids website.

Study finds positive results for afterschool physical activity and nutrition program

A recent evaluation found positive results for Fun 5, a physical activity and nutrition program piloted in 13 of Hawaii's Afterschool Plus (A+) elementary school programs. Developed by the Hawaii Medical Service Association in partnership with the Hawaii State Department of Education and the University of Hawaii, Fun 5, is geared toward promoting healthy habits by encouraging youth to be active five times a week and to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Researchers from the University of Hawaii found that the Fun 5 program resulted in an increase in physical activity, both while in the A+ program and during free time.

National Institutes of Health launch the We Can! initiative, provide tools for afterschool programs

The National Institutes of Health recently announced the launch of We Can! (Ways to Enhance Children's Activity & Nutrition), an obesity-prevention initiative geared toward helping parents and caregivers promote physical activity and healthy eating habits in youth, ages 8 through 13. As part of this initiative, NIH created a We Can! toolkit that provides outreach materials, planning materials and curricula to help community organizations, parks and recreation agencies and afterschool programs engage and educate parents, community members and youth. The toolkit can be downloaded free from the website. Printed copy may be ordered for a fee either from their website, or by calling toll-free: 866-359-3226.

School-Age Notes highlights physical activity and nutrition in afterschool

The March 2005 issue of School-Age Notes is dedicated to promoting healthy eating and physical activity in afterschool programs. Topics explored in this issue include research linking physical activity to learning, vending-machine policies, and collaboration between schools and afterschool programs. The issue also features numerous activity suggestions and a list of health-related resources. See link below to download a PDF of the issue.