Parents Report that Massachusetts Afterschool Programs Promote Physical Activity, Healthy Eating

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Evidence is mounting that afterschool programs are an effective tool in the effort to prevent childhood obesity in Massachusetts and nationwide, according to a household survey conducted by Shugoll Research for the Afterschool Alliance. A special report from the survey, released today, Kids on the Move: Afterschool Programs Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity, explores parents' views about the role afterschool programs play in improving the health and physical fitness of their children. Findings are based on responses collected for America After 3PM from 30,000 U.S. households, including 276 in Massachusetts.

In the survey, most Massachusetts parents (64 percent in Massachusetts and 72 percent nationally) report that their child's afterschool program provides children with beverages, snacks and/or meals, and 75 percent in Massachusetts are satisfied that the food served is healthy. Similarly, a strong majority of parents (82 percent) agree that afterschool programs should offer opportunities for physical activity, and 84 percent of Massachusetts parents with a child in an afterschool program report that the program does just that. The great majority of parents approve of what programs are providing, with 78 percent of parents in the state saying they are satisfied with the amount of physical activity offered and 82 percent with the variety of that physical activity. More Massachusetts-specific findings are available on the Afterschool Alliance's website.

"Afterschool programs are a proven, but sometimes underappreciated, weapon in the battle against childhood obesity and physical inactivity," said Afterschool Alliance Executive Director Jodi Grant. "We've known for a long time that afterschool, before-school and summer programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn, and help working parents. These new data make clear that they also do a tremendous amount to help keep kids healthy, now and for the future. The healthy habits afterschool programs help instill can last a lifetime."

"Afterschool programs in Massachusetts improve prospects for students, and strengthen families, schools and communities in myriad ways," said Ardith Wieworka, CEO, Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership. "These programs have a lasting positive impact on children's health by providing nutritious snacks and meals, and opportunities for physical activity. Every day, they teach students about nutrition and fitness and many will carry those healthy habits with them for the rest of their lives."

Key national findings from Kids on the Move:

• Older youth are less likely than younger children to attend an afterschool program that offers food and less likely to be physically active in their program.
• Providing healthy food during afterschool programs is especially important to low-income, African-American and Hispanic parents.
• Opportunities for physical activity are important to African-American, Hispanic and low-income parents.
• Many parents are unaware that standards for healthy eating and physical activity exist for afterschool programs. The Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) Standards recommend best practices related to food and activity, including at least 30 minutes of morning or afterschool program time for physical activity (60 minutes for a full day program).

Kids on the Move offers recommendations for making afterschool programs even more effective in promoting health, including ensuring that providers are aware of policies and programs that support a healthier environment and doing more to increase awareness of the HEPA Standards.

In October 2014, the Afterschool Alliance released findings from America After 3PM, revealing a dramatic increase in participation in afterschool over the past decade, from 6.5 million to 10.2 million children. The survey also documented a vast and growing unmet demand for afterschool, with the parents of 19.4 million children reporting that they would enroll their child in a program, if one were available.

Findings from America After 3PM are based on in-depth interviews with 13,709 households with children, completed by way of an online survey using a blend of national consumer panels. Shugoll Research collected and analyzed the data for America After 3PM. In order to participate, respondents had to live in the United States and be the guardians of a school-age child living in their household. All interviews were completed between February 28 and April 17, 2014. 

Kids on the Move is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. America After 3PM is funded by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Wallace Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the Noyce Foundation, with additional support from the Heinz Endowments, The Robert Bowne Foundation and the Samueli Foundation.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs. More information is available at www.AfterschoolAlliance.org.

Established in 2003, the Massachusetts Afterschool Partnership (MAP) works to ensure every child in Massachusetts has equal access to high quality out-of-school time programming after school, before school, and during the summer months. MAP's work improves the lives of young people by increasing resources for children's programming, developing policy that supports children, families and afterschool programs, involves local grassroots networks, improves education, and strengthens strategic public-private partnerships. MAP also provides resources for programs and families statewide including information and technical assistance, networking, and peer-to-peer support. 

SOURCE Afterschool Alliance

Related Links

http://www.afterschoolalliance.org