Premium
Improving children's physical activity in out‐of‐school hours care settings
Author(s) -
Sangster Janice,
Eccleston Philippa,
Porter Stuart
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he08016
Subject(s) - population health , health economics , medicine , public health , physical activity , health promotion , community health , medical education , gerontology , nursing , environmental health , physical therapy
Issues addressed Improving children's opportunities for and participation in physical activity at out‐of‐school hours (OOSH) care. Methods A needs assessment, 12‐month implementation and evaluation were conducted. Strategies included feedback and support to improve physical activity programs and policies; staff training; resource distribution; and grants to disadvantaged services. Strategies were developed in partnership with an advisory committee from the OOSH sector. Physical activity policies, the types of after‐school activities offered and children's participation in these activities were evaluated before and after implementation. Results Statistically significant improvements were seen in the proportion of moderate or vigorous activities programmed each week. Children's participation showed a significant shift from lower to higher‐intensity activities. Improvements were also seen in the number of services with planned physical activity programs and physical activity policies. Conclusion The OOSH sector is an effective setting for promoting children's physical activity. So what? Future projects should combine the nutrition strategies previously developed and the physical activity strategies described here to comprehensively address childhood obesity in the OOSH setting.