(OSNAP) An initiative for Healthy Choices in Afterschool Programs

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OSNAP – An Initiative to Create Healthy Spaces for Kids

Harvard School of Public Health Prevention Research Center (HPRC) has developed OSNAP- an Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity Initiative, to help make the healthy choice an easy choice. This initiative works with out of school time (OST) programs in Massachusetts and Main to improve physical activity, nutrition, environment and policies. The main goals of OSNAP are for out of school programs to:

• Increase physical activity
• Limit screen time
• Serve water every day
• Serve fruits and vegetables
• Serve whole grains
• Reduce sugary drinks
• Eliminate trans fats

The OSNAP website is a resource for teachers, afterschool program staff and organizational leaders to help achieve these goals into the out of school time program practices and policies. The website gives access to quick start goals for nutrition and physical activity, giving simple and easy ways to help programs learn how to make healthy changes in their programs. Hispanics are 15% of all k-12 enrolled students in Massachusetts, according to Pew Research Center.

To learn more about OSNAP and how to promote healthy practices in your program, sign up for the free interactive online learning community.