Comprehensive Standards for Out-of-School Programs

On August 9, 2011, in Chicago, Illinois, the Healthy Out-of-School Time Coalition (HOST) – in connection with the YMCA of the USA – announced the first-ever comprehensive national nutrition and physical activity standards for out-of-school programs for children in grades K to 12.

The new guidelines are the latest tool in the fight against childhood obesity and a step in promoting healthy options for the more than 8 million children that participate in out-of-school programs at least three hours a day, according to statistics from HOST.

The new standards are the result of a comprehensive research project funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Over the course of a year, HOST conducted a national online survey of more than 700 out-of-school programs across the country, and examined best practices and existing standards and guidelines for providing healthy eating and physical activity opportunities. The survey included participation from many local Ys, one of the nation’s largest providers of afterschool programs…

Among the recommended standards outlined for out-of-school programs – which include before and after school programs, day camps, and overnight camps - are:

• Serving fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned) as options instead of cake, cookies, candy and chips

• Offering water as the preferred drink option during snack times instead of juices, punch boxes or soda

• Dedicating at least 20 percent or at least 30 minutes of morning or afterschool program time to physical activity (60 minutes for a full day program)

• Ensuring that daily physical activity time includes aerobic and age-appropriate muscle and bone strengthening and cardio-respiratory fitness activities

We, at CATCH, are pleased to continue to uphold these standards in our activity and nutrition guides for after school programs.