Do Afterschool Intervention Programs Lower Childhood Obesity Rates?

Look around next time you’re at the park. You don’t need to be a doctor to notice that childhood obesity rates are rising faster than ever. That’s why some local governments are calling for schools to provide physical activity programs. But a little bit of recess won’t be enough. A recent review of 18 studies involving 18,141 children conducted by the Canadian Medical Association Journal showed that these programs did not improve body mass index, though there were other health benefits. The study concluded that, “…policies that mandate increased physical activity in schools are unlikely to have a significant effect on the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity.”

Another study published in The Journal of Adolescent Health found that families with low rates of active-recreation had poor fitness and general health, as well as increased television watching. The study’s findings highlighted the family and home environment’s crucial role in the success of adolescent physical activity intervention programs.

Families can encourage a love of physical activity, which will increase the success of school-based intervention programs, by arranging regular recreation activities. Sixty minutes of exercise per day—done all at once or in smaller stints—is ideal for children. Exercises that result in sustained increases in heart rate aid in weight control and cardiovascular fitness, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, bone loading exercises build strong bones. Since stronger bones contain more mass they remain denser during the years of bone loss later in life.

Bone loading exercises cause muscle to pull on bone. These include jogging, hiking, stair-climbing, step aerobics, dancing and racquet sports. Activities like swimming and walking are good for cardiovascular fitness, but not for building strong bones. Families can enjoy bone strengthening and cardiovascular activities together by:
• Playing games that include running, like tag or kickball
• Hiking trails and exploring nature
• Putting on music and dancing at home
• Arranging a scavenger hunt at a park where children run around looking for items on a list to place in a bag

The most important factor in a child’s health and fitness is their family, not their school. For school programs to be successful, families must find fun ways to engage their little ones in regular physical activities. Doing this will not only develop healthier children, but healthier adults too.