Objective:

To examine whether modifying program policies and practices through a voluntary training and accreditation initiative can foster an environment supportive of physical activity among children in after-school care programs.

Approach:

• Study Design: A hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation study involving 197 before- and after-school programs and over 10,000 children in Australia.
• Intervention: Accreditation combined with online training for staff to encourage physical activity and limit screen time.
• Primary Outcome: Adherence to OSHC physical activity and screen time guidelines.
• Secondary Outcomes: Staff behaviors promoting activity, children's physical activity and screen time, and availability of physical activity equipment.

Key Findings:

• Half of OSHC programs complied with the guidelines after one year.
• Programs achieving accreditation were more likely to increase children's physical activity and decrease screen time.
• Staff behaviors shifted towards promoting physical activity, and physical activity equipment was added.

Interpretation:

Half of the services did not comply with accreditation requirements, highlighting the need for factors predicting successful compliance.

Limitations:

• Effect sizes for children's physical activity were modest.
• Children continued to have access to sedentary options and screen-based activities.

Conclusion:

Accreditation paired with online staff training represents a promising approach to enhance children's physical activity levels.

Sources:

• Maher et al. Study