title: Incorporating a healthy reimbursable snack in an afterschool homework program for middle school students: a case study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study tested the feasibility and acceptability of adding a reimbursable snack that meets the Institute of Medicine nutrition recommendations to an afterschool homework program for middle school students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Snack menu was developed and administered to students attending an afterschool homework program over 12 weeks. In spring 2009, two cross-sections of middle school students completed study measures, including snack preferences. Key school personnel completed follow-up interviews assessing program feasibility.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survey evaluations from 110 students at baseline and 113 at posttest suggested improved preferences for healthy snacks. Teacher supervisors (n = 3) and the assistant principal rated the pilot project as feasible and beneficial, whereas school food service (n = 3) rated the program unsustainable because of administration logistics and costs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of healthy snacks to afterschool programs was liked by students and teachers. However, policies that support simpler accountability procedures may be needed for school-based afterschool snack programs to be sustainable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA. msnanney@umn.edu
authors.forename: Marilyn S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Nanney
authors.forename: Temitope M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Olaleye
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005522:Food Services / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012574:Schools / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors