Basic Information
Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP)
The Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Initiative works with out of school
time (OST) programs in Massachusetts and Maine to improve nutrition- and physical activity-
related practices, environments, and policies.
From 2009-2014, OSNAP will help partner sites achieve the following goals or Environmental
Standards: 1) include 30 minutes of moderate, fun, physical activity for every child every day;
offer 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity three times per week; 2) ban sugar-sweetened
drinks from being served or brought to program; 3) offer water as a beverage at snack every
day; 4) eliminate use of commercial broadcast TV/movies; limit recreational computer time to
less than one hour per day; 5) offer a fruit or vegetable option every day; and 6) ban foods with
trans fats.
With our community partners, OSNAP will identify and support sustainable policy and
environmental strategies that promote increased access to healthy snacks and opportunities for
physical activity that can be used in a variety of OST settings.
Researchers are conducting a cluster-randomized control trial to assess children's physical
activity levels and snack and beverage intake through accelerometer wear, examination of plate
waste, on-site observations, and policy analysis at baseline and at the end of the school year.
These results will be broadly disseminated throughout Massachusetts and Maine. Researchers
have developed tools that afterschool programs can use to promote healthy snacks and drinks
and encourage physical activity in their programs.
The OSNAP initiative is supported by the Prevention Research Center cooperative agreement
number 5U48DP001946 from the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health
Promotion and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Food & Fun After School
Food & fun Afterschool
Food & Fun After School (© President and Fellows of Harvard College and YMCA of the USA)
is a curriculum designed to develop healthy habits out of school time. Eleven teaching units
help programs infuse healthy snacks and recipes, physically active games, and creative learning
activities into regular program schedules. Curriculum materials are available free of charge.
Funders: Food & Fun After School was developed under a gift from Paul and Mary Finnegan.
The second edition was revised under a gift from the Donald and Sue Pritzker Nutrition and
Fitness Initiative.
Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center
The mission of the
Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center is to work
with communities, community agencies, state and local government, and other partners to
develop, implement, and evaluate methodologies and interventions to improve nutrition and
physical activity and reduce overweight and chronic disease risk among children, youth, and
their families and to reduce and eliminate disparities in these outcomes.
Acknowledgments
The OSNAP Initiative is a collaborative effort between the Harvard School of Public Health Prevention
Research Center and our Community Research Partners, with representatives from the following
organizations:
Boston Public Schools: Food and Nutrition Services, Wellness Department and Department of Extended
Learning Time and Services
Boston Centers for Youth and Families
Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston
YMCA of Greater Boston
Playworks Metro Boston
Fitz Urban Youth Sports
OSNAP Project Team:
Steven Gortmaker, Principal Investigator
Angie Cradock, Co-Investigator
Katie Giles, Project Manager
Rebekka Lee, Intervention and Process Evaluation
Jessica Barrett, Data Manager
Julie Thayer, Community Research Liaison
Madeleine deBlois, Doctoral Student
Erica Kenney, Doctoral Student
During the OSNAP Initiative study in Boston, materials were developed to assist programs in making changes. These additional materials are found here, in the Resources section, under each content area (Snacks and Beverages, Physical Activity, Screen Time and Policy). You can also find links to the relevant Food and Fun Afterschool curriculum units and parent communications under each section. Clicking on these links will take you to FoodandFun.org, also developed by the Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center.
The HSPH Prevention Research Center has also identified a number of external internet sites and programs that can assist out of school time programs in making nutrition and physical activity changes. Some of these outside resources provide information on children's health, while others include policy language, lessons, or communication materials.
Snacks and Beverages
Food and Fun After School Curriculum Units
Food & Fun After School has 7 units designed to teach kids about making healthy food and drink choices. Each unit offers key information for program staff to know about the specific health topic, as well as a variety of games, learning activities, and recipes designed specifically for after school settings.
- The goal for Unit 1 is for kids to eat more fruits and vegetables (at least 5 servings) each day.
- The goal for Unit 3 is for kids to drink fewer sweetened beverages and eat fewer sweets.
- The goal for Unit 4 is for kids to choose healthy fats over unhealthy fats.
- The goal for Unit 5 is for kids to eat more whole grain foods.
- The goal for Unit 6 is for kids to choose healthy snack foods.
- The goal for Unit 7 is for kids to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- The goal for Unit 10 is for kids to drink water at every snack and when they are thirsty.
Food and Fun After School Parent Materials
Articles, Emails, and Handouts corresponding with each unit of Food & Fun After School are also available online. These materials are available in English and Spanish, and the colorful handouts have also been translated into Chinese.
Snack Sense
Snack Sense menu planning tool aims to help managers and staff purchase and serve fun, healthy, and budget-friendly snack for children in after school and out-of-school time programs.
Templates
The OSNAP project team has also developed a number of templates to communicate practice and policy change to families and program partners. DOCs of each of these sample letters are available below:
Sample Letters
Outside Resources
The HSPH Prevention Research Center has also identified a number of external internet sites and programs that can assist out of school time programs in making nutrition changes. Some of these outside resources provide information on children's health, while others include policy language, lessons, or communication materials. Need to identify these and get to you
Tips Sheets
- Click here to visit the Fruits and Veggies tip sheet for this section
- Click here to visit the Sugar Sweetened Beverage tip sheet for this section
- Click here to visit the Healhty Fats tip sheet for this section
- Click here to visit the Whole Grains tip sheet for this section
- Click here to visit the Water tip sheet for this section
Quick Guides
- Click here to visit the Fruits and Veggies quick guide for this section
- Click here to visit the Sugar Sweetened Beverage quick guide for this section
- Click here to visit the Healthy Fats quick guide for this section
- Click here to visit the Whole Grains quick guide for this section
- Click here to visit the Water quick guide for this section
Physical Activity
Food and Fun After School Curriculum Units
Food & Fun After School has 2 units designed to teach kids about being more physically active. Each unit offers key information for program staff to know about the specific health topic, as well as a variety of games and learning activities designed specifically for after school settings.
- The goal for Unit 2 is for kids to be more physically active.
- The goal for Unit 9 is for kids to "play hard" at least 3 times each week at afterschool.
Food and Fun After School Parent Materials
Articles, Emails, and Handouts corresponding with each unit of Food & Fun After School are also available online. These materials are available in English and Spanish, and the colorful handouts have also been translated into Chinese.
Templates
The OSNAP project team has also developed a number of templates to communicate practice and policy change to families and program partners. DOCs of each of these sample letters are available below:
Sample Letters
Outside Resources
The HSPH Prevention Research Center has also identified a number of external internet sites and programs that can assist out of school time programs in making physical activity changes. Some of these outside resources provide information on children's health, while others include policy language, lessons, or communication materials.
Tip Sheets
Click here to visit the Physical Activity tip sheet for this section
Quick Guides
Click here to visit the Physical Activity quick guide for this section
Screen Time
Food and Fun After School Curriculum Units
Food & Fun After School has 1 unit designed to teach kids about watching less TV. This unit offers key information for program staff to know about reducing the time kids spend in front of the screen, as well as a variety of games and learning activities designed specifically for after school settings.
Food and Fun After School Parent Materials
Articles, Emails, and Handouts corresponding with each unit of Food & Fun After School are also available online. These materials are available in English and Spanish, and the colorful handouts have also been translated into Chinese.
Templates
The OSNAP project team has also developed a number of templates to communicate practice and policy change to families and program partners. DOCs of each of these sample letters are available below:
Sample Letters
Outside Resources
The HSPH Prevention Research Center has also identified a number of external internet sites and programs that can assist out of school time programs in making screen time changes. Some of these outside resources provide information on children's health, while others include policy language, lessons, or communication materials.
Tip Sheets
Click here to visit the Screen Time tip sheet for this section
Quick Guides
Click here to visit the Screen Time quick guide for this section
Policy
Sample nutrition & physical activity policies
Outside Resources
The HSPH Prevention Research Center has also identified a number of external internet sites and programs that can assist out of school time programs in making screen time changes. Some of these outside resources provide information on children's health, while others include policy language, lessons, or communication materials.
Creating Healthy Changes in Out-of-School Settings
Promoting healthy environments in out-of-school time can be easy and fun! The Out of School Time Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP) has developed a number of strategies to help guide you through the process of improving out-of-school time program practices and policies related to healthy foods, drinks, and physical activity.
What does it mean to be healthy? What specific goals should I work towards in my program?
The Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center Environmental Standards for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Out-of-School Time Programs present the specific goals for OSNAP along with current scientific evidence.
How can I make healthy changes at my program?
The OSNAP Change Model walks you through a series of steps programs in our intervention have used to create healthy changes in out-of-school time. This is a comprehensive approach takes staff from start to finish as they assess the physical activity and nutrition environment, identify areas for improvement, learn in a series of collaborative meetings, build communication for healthy messaging, set goals for change, re-evaluate environments, and celebrate successes.
The Quick Start area of the site presents simple ways to get started making healthy changes at your program. You might want to begin with healthy topics that seem most exciting to your staff and kids!
How can I tell if my program is promoting nutrition & physical activity?
The Change Tools are materials to help you assess how well your program is meeting the environmental standards.
What are some strategies I can use to overcome the barriers I face creating healthy changes?
The Tip Sheets and Quick Guides help staff identify and overcome frequent barriers in creating and sustaining healthy afterschool environments.
How can I teach other staff about making healthy changes in out-of-school programs?
The OSNAP Initiative follows a collaborative learning model, bringing staff from different afterschool sites together to share with and learn from each other changes that support physical activity and healthy eating. The OSNAP Learning Collaborative PowerPoint slides are available to help to start up similar meetings with programs in your area.
How can I make a plan for creating healthy changes in my program?
The Action Planning Tool is designed to help your team set goals and identify action steps for creating healthier nutrition, physical activity and screen time practices at your program.
How can I create policies to support the healthy changes I make?
The Policy Writing Guide helps programs promote and sustain physical activity and nutrition changes with sample language that can be used in program handbooks to clearly lay out program rules and expectation.
Creating Healthy Changes in Out-of-School Settings
Promoting healthy environments in out-of-school time can be easy and fun! The Out of School Time Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative (OSNAP) has developed a number of strategies to help guide you through the process of improving out-of-school time program practices and policies related to healthy foods, drinks, and physical activity.
What does it mean to be healthy? What specific goals should I work towards in my program?
The Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center Environmental Standards for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Out-of-School Time Programs present the specific goals for OSNAP along with current scientific evidence.
How can I make healthy changes at my program?
The OSNAP Change Model walks you through a series of steps programs in our intervention have used to create healthy changes in out-of-school time. This is a comprehensive approach takes staff from start to finish as they assess the physical activity and nutrition environment, identify areas for improvement, learn in a series of collaborative meetings, build communication for healthy messaging, set goals for change, re-evaluate environments, and celebrate successes.
The Quick Start area of the site presents simple ways to get started making healthy changes at your program. You might want to begin with healthy topics that seem most exciting to your staff and kids!
How can I tell if my program is promoting nutrition & physical activity?
The Change Tools are materials to help you assess how well your program is meeting the environmental standards.
What are some strategies I can use to overcome the barriers I face creating healthy changes?
The Tip Sheets and Quick Guides help staff identify and overcome frequent barriers in creating and sustaining healthy afterschool environments.
How can I teach other staff about making healthy changes in out-of-school programs?
The OSNAP Initiative follows a collaborative learning model, bringing staff from different afterschool sites together to share with and learn from each other changes that support physical activity and healthy eating. The OSNAP Learning Collaborative PowerPoint slides are available to help to start up similar meetings with programs in your area.
How can I make a plan for creating healthy changes in my program?
The Action Planning Tool is designed to help your team set goals and identify action steps for creating healthier nutrition, physical activity and screen time practices at your program.
How can I create policies to support the healthy changes I make?
The Policy Writing Guide helps programs promote and sustain physical activity and nutrition changes with sample language that can be used in program handbooks to clearly lay out program rules and expectation.
Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center Environmental Standards for Nutrition and Physical Activity in Out-of-School Time Programs
A PDF version of these Environmental Standards is available here.
A poster of these standards is available here.
The aim of the Environmental Standards for Nutrition and Physical Activity are to help program leaders create healthier out-of-school environments for children by achieving 7 simple standards. These Environmental Standards are based on current scientific evidence about healthy eating and physical activity. These standards have been developed for part-day out-of-school time settings like sport programs and after school programs, but can easily be modified for full day programs like summer camps.
For each Environmental Standard below, we provide a brief rationale and a few suggested strategies for putting them into practice at your out-of-school time program. For more ideas on incorporating these standards into your program, check out the Tip Sheets in the Change section!
It is important to keep parents involved and educated about healthy eating and physical activity so they can reinforce the Environmental Standards at home. Use the Parent Handouts and Parent Communications from Food & Fun to help develop and maintain your connection with parents.
Environmental Standard #1:
Do not serve sugar-sweetened beverages.
Rationale:
The amount of sugar-sweetened beverages that children drink has significantly
increased over the past 20 years. Sugar-sweetened beverages are the top source of added sugar
in kids' diets. Examples of sugar-sweetened beverages are soda, sweetened iced teas, fruit
punches, fruit drinks, and sports drinks. Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages has been associated
with obesity in children. They provide a lot of calories with little to no nutritional benefit. These beverages also
lead to dental cavities. If you do serve 100% juice, limit to 4 ounces per day.
Suggested strategies:
- Offer water instead of sugar sweetened beverages every day.
- Implement policies that prevent using vending machines during program time.
- Restrict bringing drinks in from outside the program.
Environmental Standard #2:
Serve water every day.
Rationale:
Water is a great drink choice for kids. It keeps them hydrated, it is calorie-free, and it is
almost cost free from the tap! Replacing caloric beverages with water at snack time saves money,
and is an easy way to eliminate calories from sugar-sweetened beverages. Our bodies are the
best judge of how much water we need. Teach kids to take a drink whenever they are thirsty.
Suggested Strategies
- Serve tap water- it costs only pennies!
- Serve water in a pitcher with cups at the snack table every day.
Environmental Standard #3:
Serve a fruit and/or vegetable at every meal and snack.
Rationale:
Children should eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. However, most
U.S. children are only eating about 2 1/2 servings each day. Fruits and vegetables contain
vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They protect against heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and some
cancers. The fiber and water in fruits and vegetables also help you feel full. Serving 100% fruit juice does not
substitute for whole fruit because juice does not contain fiber.
Suggested strategies
- Use taste tests to learn kids' preferences and to find new fruits and vegetables that kids like.
- Cut and peel fruits and vegetables before serving so they are easier for kids to eat.
Environmental Standard #4:
Do not serve foods with trans fat.
Rationale:
The type of fat you eat is more important than the total amount of fat in your diet. Avoid
foods with trans fat, which is a type of unhealthy fat. Trans fat has many harmful effects on your
body. It is commonly found in packaged bakery foods (like muffins, brownies, cookies, and
crackers) and deep fried foods (like chicken fingers, fish sticks, and french fries). Products labeled as 0 grams
trans fat can still have up to 0.49 grams per serving by law. Avoid foods with the words "partially hydrogenated
vegetable oil" on the ingredient list; this means the food contains trans fat.
Suggested strategies
- Read nutrition labels and only select foods with 0g of trans fat.
- Review vendor lists and only order foods without trans fat.
Environmental Standard #5:
When serving grains (like bread, crackers, and cereals), serve whole grains.
Rationale:
Whole grains contain fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats that can lower your risk for
heart disease and diabetes. They can also help you feel full longer. Refined "white" flour and
sugar do not have these nutrients or health benefits. Serve whole grains instead of refined ones whenever
possible. Whole grain options are often available at the same price as refined options.
Suggested strategies
- Select breads, crackers, and, cereals that list a whole grain as the first ingredient on the label. Examples are whole wheat, barley, oats, and rye.
- Select foods containing at least 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of sugar or less per serving.
Environmental Standard #6:
Eliminate broadcast and cable TV and movies.
Limit computer time to less than 1 hour each day.
Rationale:
Children should spend no more than a total of 2 hours each day watching TV, playing
video games, or surfing the web. These activities can lead to overeating, less physical activity,
and a higher risk for becoming overweight. TV watching also may influence children to make unhealthy food
choices because they see a lot of advertisements for foods that are high in sugars and calories. Setting limits
on kids' TV, video game, and computer time is important for their health.
Suggested strategies
- Remove TVs from the out-of-school time space or cover them with a cloth so they can't be seen.
- Try new indoor games or an arts and crafts project if weather limits outdoor playtime.
Environmental Standard #7:
Provide all children with at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.
Offer 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least 3 days per week.
Rationale:
Children 6-17 years old need at least 60 minutes or more of physical activity every
day. Most of the 1 hour or more a day should be moderate or vigorous physical activity.
Children should participate in vigorous activity on at least 3 days per week. Examples of moderate physical
activity are bike riding, hopscotch and playground play. Vigorous activity are more intense and make you
sweat, like running, basketball, and aerobic dancing. Regular physical activity is important for preventing
chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.
Suggested strategies
- Schedule at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day.
- Convert cafeteria or classroom areas for dance or fitness if space is limited.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Childhood Overweight and Obesity. www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html. Accessed 9/15/09
2. American Academy of Pediatrics; Prevention of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity: Family Portal. www.aap.org/obesity/families.html?technology=1. Accessed 09/15/09
3. Harvard School of Public Health; The Nutrition Source. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource. Accessed 9/15/09
4. United States Department of Agriculture; Mypyramid.gov. www.mypyramid.gov. Accessed 09/22/09.
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. www.health.gov/paguidelines/factsheetprof.aspx. Accessed 09/15/09
6. Wang YC, Bleich SN, Gortmaker SL. Increasing caloric contribution from sugar-sweetened beverages and 100% fruit juices among US children and adolescents, 1988-2004. Pediatrics. 2008 Jun;121(6):e 1604-14.
7. Ludwig DS, Peterson KE, Gortmaker SL. Relation between consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks and childhood obesity: a prospective, observational analysis. Lancet. 2001 Feb 17;357(9255):505-8.
8. Mozaffarian D, Katan MB, Ascherio A, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. Trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. N Engl J Med. 2006 Apr 13;354(15):1601-13.
9. Wiecha JL, Peterson KE, Ludwig DS, Kim J, Sobol A, Gortmaker SL. When children eat what they watch: impact of television viewing on dietary intake in youth. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2006 Apr; 160(4):436-42.
Instructions: Check the boxes to mark what you have seen relating to nutrition and physical activity during the afterschool day. If you're not sure about an answer, take your best guess.