Parent perspectives on nutrition and physical activity during out-of-school time.
OBJECTIVE
Out-of-school time (OST) programs serve a large, diverse population of children, including those at increased obesity risk. In this study, parents' perspectives about nutrition and physical activity (PA) during OST were assessed.


METHODS
Survey.


METHODS
Online.


METHODS
Six hundred parents with a school-aged child participating in programs from selected OST organizations.


METHODS
Parent perspectives about the importance and availability of different foods, beverages, and PA opportunities during OST, and OST program and parent involvement in promoting healthful environments.


METHODS
Frequencies were used to describe parents' perspectives. Wilcoxon tests and logistic regression analyses were conducted to test for significant differences.


RESULTS
Most parents reported that it was important that their children have water (96.2%), fresh fruits and vegetables (79.0%), and PA (97.2%) during OST; fewer parents reported that these were regularly available. About two thirds of parents agreed that OST programs should promote healthy environments for children, whereas one third agreed that parents alone should be responsible for children's nutrition and PA.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that many parents would support efforts to improve OST nutrition and PA. Yet, there is a need to further understand the perceptions and motivations of different subgroups to enact successful obesity prevention efforts during OST.
ChildObesity180, Tufts University, Boston, MA; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Stephanie
S
Anzman-Frasca
ChildObesity180, Tufts University, Boston, MA; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Molly B
MB
Newman
ChildObesity180, Tufts University, Boston, MA; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Heather M
HM
Angstrom
ChildObesity180, Tufts University, Boston, MA; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Shanti
S
Sharma
ChildObesity180, Tufts University, Boston, MA; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Miriam E
ME
Nelson
ChildObesity180, Tufts University, Boston, MA.
Peter R
PR
Dolan
ChildObesity180, Tufts University, Boston, MA; Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, MA. Electronic address: sla197@psu.edu.
Christina D
CD
Economos
D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students
childhood obesity; nutrition; out-of-school time; parents; physical activity