Healthy Kids Out of School: Using Mixed Methods to Develop Principles for Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in Out-of-School Settings in the United States.

Authors

Sarah A. Sliwa
Shanti Sharma
William H. Dietz, George Washington UniversityFollow
Peter R. Dolan
Miriam E. Nelson
Molly B. Newman
Maya Rockeymoore
Christina D. Economos

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Journal

Preventing Chronic Disease

Volume

11

Issue

E227

Inclusive Pages

Article number E227

DOI

10.5888/pcd11.140207

Keywords

Food Habits--psychology; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Health Promotion--methods; Motor Activity; Nutrition Policy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Widespread practices supporting availability of healthful foods, beverages, and physical activity in out-of-school-time (OST) settings would further obesity prevention efforts. The objective of this article was to describe principles to guide policy development in support of healthy eating and physical activity practices in out-of-school settings to promote obesity prevention.

METHODS:

The Institute of Medicine's L.E.A.D. framework (Locate Evidence, Evaluate it, Assemble it, and Inform Decisions) was used to identify practices relevant to children's healthful eating in most OST settings: 1) locate and evaluate information from a national survey of children's perceptions of healthful-food access; published research, reports, policies and guidelines; and roundtables with OST organizations' administrators; 2) assemble information to prioritize actionable practices; and 3) inform programmatic direction.

RESULTS:

Three evidence-informed guiding principles for short-duration OST resulted: 1) drink right: choose water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages; 2) move more: boost movement and physical activity in all programs; and 3) snack smart: fuel up on fruits and vegetables.

CONCLUSION:

Healthy Kids Out of School was launched to support the dissemination and implementation of these guiding principles in short-duration OST settings, complementing efforts in other OST settings to shift norms around eating and physical activity.

Comments

This is a work of a U.S. Government employee(s) and is in public domain in the United States.

Creative Commons License

This work is free of known copyright restrictions.

APA Citation

Silwa, S., Sharma, S., Dietz, W.H., Dolan, P.R., Nelson, M.E. et al. (2014). Healthy Kids Out of School: Using Mixed Methods to Develop Principles for Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity in Out-of-School Settings in the United States. Preventing Chronic Disease, 11:E227.

Peer Reviewed

1

Open Access

1