Healthy Kids Out of School

Healthy Kids Out of School is a national initiative designed to promote healthy behaviors among children during out-of-school time. Launched in 2011, it focuses on integrating evidence-based nutrition and physical activity standards into the programs of diverse youth-serving organizations. The initiative is coordinated by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and relies on a collaborative network of national partners to disseminate its principles.

Overview and Principles

The initiative was developed in response to the high prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States and the recognition that children spend a significant portion of their waking hours outside of school. Its core philosophy is to create consistent health-promoting environments across the many organizations that serve youth, such as scouting groups, 4-H, and community sports leagues. The program is built upon three foundational principles: Drink Right, Move More, and Snack Smart. These principles provide simple, actionable guidelines for volunteers and staff, encouraging the provision of water or low-fat milk instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, the incorporation of physical activity into every gathering, and the offering of healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables. This approach aligns with broader federal recommendations from the United States Department of Agriculture and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Key Program Components

Central to the initiative is a suite of freely available resources tailored for volunteer-led settings. These include training modules, activity guides, and promotional materials that translate the three principles into practical actions. For example, the "Move More" component provides games and activities suitable for various settings, from a YMCA gym to a Boys & Girls Clubs of America meeting room. The "Snack Smart" resources offer tips for selecting and preparing affordable, healthy options. A significant component is the "Healthy Kids Out of School Promise," a commitment that partner organizations make to adopt and promote the principles within their national networks and local chapters. This promise serves as a public declaration of intent and helps align organizational policies with public health goals.

Participating Organizations and Partners

The initiative's strength lies in its collaboration with large, national youth-serving organizations that have extensive reach into communities. Founding partners include Girl Scouts of the USA, Boy Scouts of America, National Council of Youth Sports, and Pop Warner Little Scholars. These partners integrate the Healthy Kids principles into their existing program curricula, training materials for volunteers, and event guidelines. The collaboration extends to public health entities like the American Heart Association and state-level Cooperative Extension systems. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has been a key funder, supporting the development and dissemination of the program. This multi-sector partnership model allows the initiative to impact millions of children across diverse geographic and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Evidence and Impact

The program's strategies are grounded in research from the Harvard Prevention Research Center. Studies, including a cluster-randomized trial published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, have demonstrated its effectiveness in changing organizational practices and improving children's dietary intake. Evaluation data has shown significant increases in the provision of water and healthy snacks, and a decrease in the offering of sugar-sweetened beverages, within participating programs. The initiative contributes to the evidence base for effective obesity prevention strategies in community settings, complementing school-based efforts like the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and policies such as the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Implementation and Best Practices

Successful implementation relies on adapting the core principles to fit the unique culture and logistics of each partner organization. Best practices include integrating messages into existing training for volunteers, such as those for Sunday school teachers or Amateur Athletic Union coaches, rather than creating separate, burdensome requirements. Providing simple, low-cost activity ideas—like incorporating active games from CATCH (Coordinated Approach To Child Health)—increases adoption. The initiative also emphasizes the importance of consistent messaging; when children hear the same "Drink Right, Move More, Snack Smart" guidelines at their YMCA camp, their scouting troop, and their community soccer league, it reinforces healthy norms. Sustainability is fostered by embedding the principles into organizational policy documents and recognition programs.

Category:Public health organizations in the United States Category:Childhood obesity Category:Health promotion