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Physical activity of children attending afterschool programs: research- and practice-based implications
Michael W Beets1, Jennifer Huberty, Aaron Beighle
1Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, 29208, USA. beets@mailbox.sc.edu
American Journal of Preventive Medicine
|January 21, 2012
Summary
Children in afterschool programs (ASPs) take fewer than 3000 steps daily, falling short of the 4600-step guideline. Significant changes are needed to boost physical activity in these settings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Physical Activity Research
- Afterschool Program Evaluation
Background:
- Afterschool programs (ASPs) are crucial for children's daily physical activity.
- Current guidelines recommend 4600 steps per day for children in ASPs.
- The actual step counts and activity levels within ASPs are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the pedometer-measured physical activity levels of children in a diverse range of ASPs.
- To assess how well current ASPs meet established physical activity guidelines.
Main Methods:
- 934 children (ages 4-14) from 25 ASPs participated.
- Children wore pedometers for up to 4 days to record steps and active time.
- Data collected in fall/spring 2010-2011 and analyzed in summer 2011.
Main Results:
- Children averaged 2944 steps and 26.6 minutes of physical activity per day.
- Only 16.5% of observations met the 4600-step guideline.
- To meet guidelines, children would need to spend ~3.4 hours in an ASP daily.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity levels in ASPs are significantly below recommended guidelines.
- Strategies must be developed to increase children's physical activity within ASPs.
- Further research is needed to implement effective interventions.
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