Utilizing Wisconsin Afterschool Programs to Increase Physical Activity in Youth.
BACKGROUND
Approximately 31.7% of children in the United States are overweight or obese. Interventions in the afterschool setting may help combat childhood obesity. Research exists on interventions in school settings, but a few data exist for interventions about afterschool programs. This study investigates increasing physical activity (PA) in Wisconsin afterschool programs.


METHODS
A literature review was used to develop key informant interviews. Utilizing a constant comparative method, interview data were coded and themes were identified. The themes, literature review, and expert opinions were used to formulate recommendations for improving PA in afterschool programs.


RESULTS
Programs had success in utilizing different resources to improve PA. Key barriers to improving PA included grant-imposed academic restrictions, the need for provider education, fears of conflict and competitiveness, and a lack of understanding between health and sedentariness.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a clear need for additional exploration into improving PA in Wisconsin afterschool programs. This study resulted in specific recommendations to increase PA in afterschool programming, including utilizing school wellness policies and staff professional development to improve PA in afterschool programs.
American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, 2850 Dairy Drive, Suite 300, Madison, WI 53718. brad.cavanagh@heart.org.
Bradley D
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7233-6449
BD
Cavanagh
Wisconsin Obesity Prevention Network, c/o UW Madison Collaborative Center for Health Equity, 750 Highland Avenue, Suite 2110, Madison, WI 53705. ameinen@wisc.edu.
Amy
A
Meinen
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000523:psychology*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States; D014922:Wisconsin
afterschool; obesity; overweight; physical activity; schools