Evaluation of policies to promote physical activity in afterschool programs: are we meeting current benchmarks?
BACKGROUND
Policies now recommend afterschool programs (ASP, 3-6 pm) provide children a minimum amount of physical activity daily. We examined the extent to which children attending ASPs meet existing national and state-level policies that specify expected levels of physical activity (PA).


METHODS
Accelerometer-derived physical activity (light and moderate-to-vigorous, MVPA) of 253 children (5-13 years) was compared to policies that recommend varying amounts of PA children should achieve during an ASP.


RESULTS
The proportion of children achieving a policy ranged from 0.0% (California 60 min MVPA and North Carolina 20% of daily program time devoted to MVPA), 1.2% (California 30 min MVPA), to 48.2% (National Afterschool Association 30 min light plus MVPA). Random effects logistic models indicated boys (odds ratio [OR] range 2.0 to 6.27) and children from a minority background (Black/Hispanic, OR range 1.87 to 3.98) were more likely to achieve a recommended level of physical activity, in comparison to girls and White children. Neither age nor BMI were related to achieving a policy.


CONCLUSIONS
The PA of children attending ASP falls below policy recommended levels; however, these policies were developed in absence of data on expected PA levels during ASPs. Thus, concerted effort towards building a stronger ASP evidence-base for policy refinement is required.
Beets
Michael W
MW
Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St., Columbia, SC 29208, USA. beets@mailbox.sc.edu
Rooney
Laura
L
Tilley
Falon
F
Beighle
Aaron
A
Webster
Collin
C
D000293:Adolescent; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009043:Motor Activity; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards