Topic: Healthy Eating

Coffee Chat: An Action Kit for Prevention: Prioritizing Cost-Effective and Equitable Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Strategies

Posted on November 16, 2023

In this coffee chat hosted by the CHOICES Community of Practice, Dr. Steven Gortmaker, Principal Investigator of the CHOICES Project at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, highlights the new features available in the Action Kit 2.0, including more detailed information on costs and health equity impacts. Dr. Gortmaker also discusses how this information can be helpful for planning and prioritization purposes to ensure responsible investments to improve child health, nutrition, physical activity, and health equity.

View the resource round-up from this coffee chat

Download the November 2023 coffee chat presentation slides

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Exploring the Cost-Effectiveness of Strategies to Improve Child Health in Boston, MA

Posted on November 13, 2023

The information in this brief is intended only to provide educational information.

The CHOICES Project at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) worked together as part of the Massachusetts-CHOICES Project (2019 – 2024), a training, technical assistance, and modeling initiative, to develop a playbook of strategies to promote healthy weight and advance health equity in addition to studying how cost-effectiveness metrics are used by partners throughout the state.

Methods & Strategies Modeled

CHOICES cost-effectiveness analysis examines: How many and what types of people would be affected by the policy or program? What the effect of the policy or program would be on health? What will be the implementation costs and the potential health care cost savings? How could the policy or program reduce health disparities and improve health equity?CHOICES uses cost-effectiveness analysis to compare the costs and outcomes of different policies and programs promoting improved nutrition or increased physical activity in schools, early care and education and out-of-school settings, communities, and clinics.

Using CHOICES cost-effectiveness analysis and local data, the BPHC team worked with CHOICES to create a virtual population that mirrors the current population of Boston, MA. Then, the teams examined the expected costs, health outcomes, and health care costs saved if the following strategies were implemented in Boston, Massachusetts over a 10-year timeframe (2020-2029):

• Reducing Screen Time in Early Child Care Settings
• More Movement Program in Early Child Care Settings
• Home Visits to Reduce Screen Time
• Movement Breaks in the Classroom
• Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments (OSNAP)

Reducing Screen Time in Early Child Care Settings

The strategy to reduce screen time in early child care settings involves providing voluntary training to early child care educators and resources to families to limit noneducational television time at child care and home. This strategy could support Boston’s efforts to improve early child care quality through the Boston Healthy Child Care Initiative. It would include training opportunities for early child care educators, offering ongoing support and technical assistance, and providing parents with educational materials that may lead to reducing screen time in young children.1,2

Helping educators to implement practices shown to be effective in reducing television time can help the children in Boston’s early education and care settings engage in fewer minutes of screen time.

Implementing a strategy to reduce screen time in early child care settings is an investment in the future. By the end of 2029: 18,200 children reached over 10 years; 33 fewer minutes of screen time per child per day; $16 per child per year

Additional Key Findings

If a strategy to reduce screen time in early child care settings was implemented in Boston, 125 cases of obesity would be prevented in 2029, saving $138,000 in health care costs over 10 years.

In addition, this strategy would train and provide technical assistance to early childhood educators on reducing screen time. In the initial training series, this strategy would provide additional skills training and professional development for 1,380 educators and more opportunities to reduce screen time in 570 (100%) child care programs serving 3-5 year olds.

To learn more about this strategy, read the research brief.

  • Bovenzi M, Carter S, Sabir M, Bolton AA, Barrett JL, Reiner JF, Cradock AL, Gortmaker SL. Boston, MA: Reducing Screen Time in Early Child Care Settings {Issue Brief}. Boston Public Health Commission and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; October 2023.
References

1. Mendoza JA, Baranowski T, Jaramillo S, et al. Fit 5 Kids TV Reduction Program for Latino Preschoolers: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2016;50(5):584-592.<
2. Dennison BA, Russo TJ, Burdick PA, Jenkins PL. An intervention to reduce television viewing by preschool children. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. 2004;158(2):170-176.

More Movement Program in Early Child Care Settings

The more movement program provides training opportunities and resources for early child care educators to implement actions in their programs to encourage physical activity. This strategy could support Boston’s efforts to improve early child care quality through the Boston Healthy Child Care Initiative. It would include training opportunities for early child care educators in physical activity curricula, provide resources and instructional materials, and support technical assistance opportunities that may lead to higher physical activity levels among young children.1,2

Helping educators implement practices shown to be effective in increasing physical activity can help the children in Boston’s early education and care settings to move more.

Implementing the more movement program in early child care settings is an investment in the future. By the end of 2029: 18,200 children reached over 10 years; 7.4 additional minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per child per day; $16 per child per year

Additional Key Findings

If the more movement program in early child care settings was implemented in Boston, 94 cases of obesity would be prevented in 2029, saving $104,000 in health care costs over 10 years. Besides promoting a healthy weight, increasing physical activity is linked to improved bone and muscular health and better gross motor skills in young children.3-5

In addition, this strategy would train and provide technical assistance to early childhood educators. In the initial training series, the more movement program would provide additional skills training and professional development for 1,380 educators and more physical activity promotion opportunities in 570 (100%) child care programs serving 3-5 year olds.

To learn more about this strategy, read the research brief.

  • Bovenzi M, Carter S, Sabir M, Bolton AA, Barrett JL, Reiner JF, Cradock AL, Gortmaker SL. Boston, MA: More Movement Program in Early Child Care Settings {Issue Brief}. Boston Public Health Commission and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; October 2023.
References

1. Fitzgibbon ML, Stolley MR, Schiffer LA, et al. Hip-Hop to Health Jr. Obesity Prevention Effectiveness Trial: Postintervention Results. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2011;19(5):994-1003.
2. Kong A, Buscemi J, Stolley MR, Schiffer LA, Kim Y, Braunschweig CL, Gomez-Perez SL, Blumstein LB, Van Horn L, Dyer AR, Fitzgibbon ML. Hip-Hop to Health Jr. Randomized Effectiveness Trial: 1-Year Follow-up Results. American Journal of Preventive Medicine. 2016 Feb;50(2):136-44.
3. U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services; 2018. Accessed Jul 23, 2021. https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf
4. Pate RR, Hillman CH, Janz KF, et al. Physical Activity and Health in Children Younger than 6 Years: A Systematic Review. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 06 2019;51(6):1282-1291.
5. Timmons BW, Leblanc AG, Carson V, et al. Systematic review of physical activity and health in the early years (aged 0-4 years). Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. Aug 2012;37(4):773-92.

Home Visits to Reduce Screen Time

The home visits to reduce screen time strategy aims to reduce the amount of screen time viewed at home by young children. Community health workers would provide counseling and resources on strategies to limit children’s screen time to children and families who participate in home visiting programs.

Through professional development training opportunities, community health workers would learn ways to support families and children in limiting their screen time. During a home visit, community health workers would share the importance of appropriate screen time limits and provide strategies and tools for families to use, including a screen time management device. Integrating this strategy through existing home visiting programs could help more children manage their screen time and grow up at a healthy weight.1Implementing the home visits to reduce screen time strategy is an investment in the future. By the end of 2029: 3,320 children reached over 10 years; 1.8 fewer hours of screen time per child per day; $44,600 saved in health care costs over 10 years

Additional Key Findings

If the home visits to reduce screen time strategy was implemented in Boston, 60 cases of childhood obesity would be prevented in 2029. Besides promoting a healthy weight, this strategy may also benefit children in other ways. Providing children and their families with strategies to move away from their screens allows for more time for activities like reading and active play.

By training and equipping 119 community health workers annually by ensuring that everyone has access to what they need to grow up healthy and strong, this strategy could help reach those families and children that may be at higher risk of having or developing obesity. Children in households with low income could see greater health benefits from this strategy.1

To learn more about this strategy, read the research brief.

  • Carter S, Bovenzi M, Sabir M, Bolton AA, Reiner JR, Barrett JL, Cradock AL, Gortmaker SL. Boston, MA: Home Visits to Reduce Screen Time {Issue Brief}. Boston Public Health Commission, Boston, MA, and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; February 2023.
References

1. Epstein LH, Roemmich JN, Robinson JL, et al. A randomized trial of the effects of reducing television viewing and computer use on body mass index in young children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. Mar 2008;162(3):239-45. doi:10.1001/archpediatrics.2007.45

Movement Breaks in the Classroom

Movement breaks in the classroom is a strategy to promote physical activity during the school day by incorporating five-to-10-minute movement breaks in K-5 public elementary school classrooms. To implement the movement breaks strategy in Boston, teachers, Wellness Champions, and staff would receive training, equipment, and materials to incorporate short activity breaks in the classroom to help children move more.1,2

This aligns with Boston Public School’s (BPS) Physical Education and Physical Activity Policy that requires schools to offer physical activity opportunities during the school day,3 as well as BPS’ Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child approach, which supports students’ holistic health by promoting positive classroom environments that foster physical activity and learning.

Implementing movement breaks in the classroom is an investment in the future. By the end of 2029: 29,400 students reached over 10 years; 25 additional minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per student per school week; $1.74 per child per year

Additional Key Findings

If movement breaks were incorporated into classrooms in Boston, 37 cases of childhood obesity would be prevented in 2029 and save $35,300 in health care costs related to excess weight over 10 years.

By training and equipping over 600 teachers and other school staff yearly to incorporate movement breaks in the classroom, this strategy could help all Boston Public Schools cultivate a positive school climate and improve social emotional learning.4 Participation in movement breaks are associated with students spending more time on task,5 and teachers report that students are more engaged, supportive of each other, and responsive to teacher instructions after participating in a movement break.6

To learn more about this strategy, read the research brief.

  • Carter J, Greene J, Neeraja S, Bovenzi, M, Sabir M, Carter S, Bolton AA, Barrett JL, Reiner JR, Cradock AL, Gortmaker SL. Boston, MA: Movement Breaks in the Classroom {Issue Brief}. Boston Public Schools, Boston Public Health Commission, and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; August 2022.
References

1. Erwin HE, Beighle A, Morgan CF, Noland M. Effect of a low-cost, teacher-directed classroom intervention on elementary students’ physical activity. J Sch Health. 2011;81(8):455-461.
2. Murtagh E, Mulvihill M, Markey O. Bizzy Break! The effect of a classroom-based activity break on in-school physical activity levels of primary school children. Pediatr Exerc Sci. 2013;25(2):300-307.
3. Boston Public Schools. Physical Education & Physical Activity Policy. 2020:8. Superintendent’s Circular. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rSGwpFaa4LsPKxjhdsHxz2IaXg3ZFVtE/view?usp=embed_facebook
4. School-Based Physical Activity Improves the Social and Emotional Climate for Learning. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,. Accessed March 9, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/school_based_pa_se_sel.htm
5. The Community Preventive Services Task Force. Physical Activity: Classroom-based Physical Activity Break Interventions. The Community Guide. 2021:8.
Campbell AL, Lassiter JW. Teacher perceptions of facilitators and barriers to implementing classroom physical activity breaks. J Educ Res. 2020;113(2):108-119

 

Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments (OSNAP)

The Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) initiative helps afterschool programs improve practices and policies that increase physical activity and consumption of healthy snacks.

To implement this initiative, the Boston Public Health Commission would provide professional development opportunities for afterschool program leaders serving students in grades K-5. Afterschool staff leaders would participate in three learning collaborative sessions and receive technical assistance to assess1 and modify their programs’ practices and policies2  to meet the OSNAP nutrition and physical activity goals.

Creating healthier afterschool environments is an investment in the future. By the end of 2029: 10,800 children reached over 10 years; $34,100 saved in health care costs in 2029; $18.30 per child per year

Additional Key Findings

If the OSNAP initiative was implemented in Boston, 37 cases of obesity would be prevented in 2029. It is also projected to be cost-effective at commonly accepted thresholds3 based on net population health improvement related to excess weight ($72,100 per quality-adjusted life year gained).

This strategy may also support children’s health in a variety of other ways. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate hydration can improve children’s mental and emotional well-being and their heart, lung, and bone health.4 These healthy behaviors can also strengthen students’ attention, memory,5,6 and cognitive functioning,5 all important components for learning and academic performance.

To learn more about this strategy, read the research brief.

  • Carter S, Bovenzi M, Clarke J, Bolton AA, Reiner JF, Barrett JL, Cradock AL, Gortmaker SL. Boston, MA: Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments (OSNAP) {Issue Brief}. Boston Public Health Commission, Massachusetts, and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; July 2023.
References

1. Lee RM, Emmons KM, Okechukwu CA, Barrett JL, Kenney EL, Cradock AL, Giles CM, deBlois ME, Gortmaker SL. Validity of a practitioner-administered observational tool to measure physical activity, nutrition, and screen time in school-age programs. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2014 Nov 28;11:145. doi: 10.1186/s12966-014-0145-5.
2. Kenney EL, Giles CM, deBlois ME, Gortmaker SL, Chinfatt S, Cradock AL. Improving nutrition and physical activity policies in afterschool programs: results from a group-randomized controlled trial. Prev Med. 2014;66:159-166. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.06.011
3. Neumann PJ, Cohen JT, Weinstein MC. Updating cost-effectiveness–the curious resilience of the $50,000-per-QALY threshold. New England Journal of Medicine. 2014 Aug 28;371(9):796-7. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMp1405158. PMID: 25162885.
4. Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Children. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/adults/health-benefits-of-physical-activity-for-children.html. Published Jan 12, 2022. Updated 2022-01-12T05:06:09Z. Accessed Dec 7, 2022.
5. Childhood Nutrition Facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/facts.htm. Published 2022. Updated 2022-08-05T03:49:26Z. Accessed Dec 12, 2022.
6. Blanding N. Afterschool Programs in Boston, MA, Expand Opportunities for Obesity Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2016. http://nccd.cdc.gov/nccdsuccessstories

The design for this brief and its graphics were developed by Molly Garrone, MA and partners at Burness.

This document was developed at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health through the Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study (CHOICES) Learning Collaborative Partnership. This document is intended for educational use only. This work is supported by The JPB Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP006376). The findings and conclusions are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other funders.

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Explore and compare these strategies and more using the CHOICES National Action Kit 2.0!

Coffee Chat: Using Local Data to Improve Health and Advance Health Equity

Posted on October 24, 2023

In this coffee chat hosted by the CHOICES Community of Practice, guest speakers Dr. Susan Carlson and Magdalena Pankowska highlighted the resources and data available through PLACES — a collaboration between the CDC, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the CDC Foundation that provides local data estimates for all U.S. counties, places, census tracts, and ZIP Code tabulation areas — showcased the 2023 data release, and shared how these resources can be used to inform work around healthy eating, active living, and advancing health equity.

View the resource round-up from this coffee chat

Download the October 2023 coffee chat presentation slides

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Strategy Profile: Creating Healthier Early Care and Education Environments

Posted on September 22, 2023

The information in this resource is intended only to provide educational information. This profile describes the estimated benefits, activities, resources, and leadership needed to implement a strategy to improve child health. This information can be useful for planning and prioritization purposes.

  • Improving nutrition, physical activity, & screen time policies & practices for children ages 3-5 by incorporating the Nutrition & Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) Program into state’s Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS) for early care and education programs.

What population benefits?

Children ages 3-5 attending licensed early care and education programs that participate in their state’s Quality Rating and Improvement Systems (QRIS).

What are the estimated benefits?

Relative to not implementing the strategy
Promote healthy child weight.

What activities and resources are needed?

Activities Resources Who Leads?
Train early care and education health professionals to work with early care and education programs • Time of state training consultant to train early care and education health professionals
• Time of early care and education health professionals to be trained		 State QRIS administrators
Provide consultation to early care and education program directors and staff for conducting self-assessments of program policies and practices, completing action plans, and implementing changes to improve nutrition, physical activity, and screen time environments in programs • Time of early care and education health professionals to provide consultation to early care and education programs
• Time of early care and education program directors and staff to participate in consultation		 Early care and education health professionals
Provide materials and equipment for implementing NAP SACC program • Cost for GO NAP SACC online license
• Physical activity equipment costs		 State QRIS administrators
Implement changes in early care and education programs to improve nutrition, physical activity, and screen time environments • Time of early care and education program directors to implement changes Early care and education program directors
Improve nutritional quality of meals served in early care and education programs • Food costs for improving nutritional quality of meals Early care and education program directors
Monitor compliance with NAP SACC program • Time of state-level QRIS Administrators to monitor compliance State QRIS administrators
Strategy Modification

In states where NAP SACC is already being implemented, the strategy could be modified to focus on increasing the number of early care and education programs that participate in NAP SACC. With this modification, the cost for the GO NAP SACC online license would not be needed, since it is a fixed annual cost paid per state (i.e., it does not depend on the number of participating programs). With this modification, the impact on health is expected to be similar, and the impact on reach and cost would vary according to the number of programs reached.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Gortmaker SL, Wang YC, Long MW, Giles CM, Ward ZJ, Barrett JL, Kenney EL, Sonneville KR, Afzal AS, Resch SC, Cradock AL. Three interventions that reduce childhood obesity are projected to save more than they cost to implement. Health Aff (Millwood). 2015 Nov;34(11):1932-9. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0631. Supplemental Appendix with strategy details available at: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/suppl/10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0631/ suppl_file/2015-0631_gortmaker_appendix.pdf

Selected CHOICES research brief including cost-effectiveness metrics:

Adams B, Sutphin B, Betancourt K, Balamurugan A, Kim H, Bolton A, Barrett J, Reiner J, Cradock AL. Arkansas: Creating Healthier Child Care Environments: Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) in the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) {Issue Brief}. Arkansas Department of Health, Little Rock, AR, and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; May 2021. Available at: https://choicesproject.org/publications/brief-napsacc-arkansas

Kenney EL, Giles CM, Flax CN, Gortmaker SL, Cradock AL, Ward ZJ, Foster S, Hammond W. New Hampshire: Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAP SACC) Intervention {Issue Brief}. New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Concord, NH, and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; October 2017. Available at: https:// choicesproject.org/publications/brief-napsacc-intervention-new-hampshire

Suggested Citation

CHOICES Strategy Profile: Creating Healthier Early Care and Education Environments. CHOICES Project Team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; September 2023.

Funding

This work is supported by The JPB Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP006376). The information provided here is intended to be used for educational purposes. Links to other resources and websites are intended to provide additional information aligned with this educational purpose. The findings and conclusions are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other funders.

Adapted from the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) Checklist

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Strategy Profile: Fast-Food Restaurant Calorie Labeling (2018)

Posted on September 21, 2023

The information in this resource is intended only to provide educational information. This profile describes the estimated benefits, activities, resources, and leadership needed to implement a strategy to improve child health. This information can be useful for planning and prioritization purposes.

  • Require fast-food chain restaurants with 20 or more locations nationally to list calories for standard menu items on in-store and drive-thru menu boards along with succinct statements concerning suggested daily caloric intake (implemented in 2018).

What population benefits?

All youth and adults ages 2 years and older.

What are the estimated benefits?

Relative to not implementing the strategy
Decrease daily energy intake and, in turn, promote healthy weight.

What activities and resources are needed?

Activities Resources Who Leads?
Manage rollout of restaurant calorie menu labeling and communicate policy change to restaurant chains • Time of Food and Drug Administration to manage rollout Food and Drug Administration
Review rule requirements • Time for legal analyst to review rule requirements

 

 Restaurant chain
Analyze nutrient content for each menu item • Cost of analyzing menu items by entering recipes in a nutrition database Restaurant chain
Replace menus and menu boards to comply with policy • Cost of designing new menus (if applicable)
• Cost of menu and menu board replacement		 Restaurant chain
Monitor compliance with menu labeling policy • Time of public health department inspectors to monitor compliance Local public health department

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dupuis R, Block JP, Barrett JL, Long MW, Petimar J, Ward ZJ, Kenney EL, Musicus AA, Cannuscio CC, Williams DR, Bleich SN, Gortmaker SL. Cost-Effectiveness of Calorie Labeling at Large Fast-Food Chains Across the U.S. Am J Prev Med. 2024 Jan 66(1):128-137. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2023.08.012.

Suggested Citation

CHOICES Strategy Profile: Fast-Food Restaurant Calorie Labeling (2018). CHOICES Project Team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; September 2023.

Funding

This work is supported by The JPB Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP006376). The information provided here is intended to be used for educational purposes. Links to other resources and websites are intended to provide additional information aligned with this educational purpose. The findings and conclusions are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other funders.

Adapted from the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) Checklist

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Cost-Effectiveness of Calorie Labeling at Large Fast-Food Chains Across the U.S.

Posted on August 14, 2023

This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of calorie labeling at large U.S. fast-food chains.

Dupuis R, Block JP, Barrett JL, Long MW, Petimar J, Ward ZJ, Kenney EL, Musicus AA, Cannuscio CC, Williams DR, Bleich SN, Gortmaker SL. Cost Effectiveness of Calorie Labeling at Large Fast-Food Chains Across the U.S. Am J Prev Med. 2024 Jan;66(1):128-137. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.08.012. Epub 2023 Aug 14. PubMed PMID: 37586572; NIHMSID:NIHMS1929380.

Abstract

Introduction

Calorie labeling of standard menu items has been implemented at large restaurant chains across the United States since 2018. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of calorie labeling at large U.S. fast-food chains.

Methods

This study evaluated the national implementation of calorie labeling at large fast-food chains from a modified societal perspective and projected its cost-effectiveness over a ten-year period (2018-2027) using the Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study microsimulation model. Using evidence from over 67 million fast-food restaurant transactions between 2015 and 2019, the impact of calorie labeling on calorie consumption and obesity incidence was projected. Benefits were estimated across all racial, ethnic, and income groups. Analyses were performed in 2022.

Results

Calorie labeling is estimated to be cost-saving, prevent 550,000 cases of obesity in 2027 alone (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 518,000; 586,000), including 41,500 (95% UI: 33,700; 50,800) cases of childhood obesity, and save $22.60 in health care costs for every $1 spent by society in implementation costs. Calorie labeling is also projected to prevent cases of obesity across all racial and ethnic groups (range between 126-185 cases per 100,000 people) and all income groups (range between 152-186 cases per 100,000 people).

Conclusions

Calorie labeling at large fast-food chains is estimated to be a cost-saving intervention to improve long-term population health. Calorie labeling is a low-cost intervention that is already implemented across the U.S. in large chain restaurants.

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute under Award Number R01HL146625, by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases under Award Number R01DK115492, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under Award Number U48DP006376, and by the JPB Foundation. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funders. The funders had any role in study design; collection, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing the report; and the decision to submit the report for publication.

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Brief: Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments (OSNAP) in Boston, MA

Posted on July 28, 2023

Three kids at the playground

The information in this brief is intended only to provide educational information.

This brief summarizes a CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership model examining the implementation of the Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) initiative that helps afterschool programs improve practices and policies that increase physical activity and consumption of healthy snacks.

The Issue

Every child should have opportunities to grow up healthy. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate hydration can help children maintain a healthy weight. Over 6,000 students in kindergarten to fifth grade participate in afterschool programs in Boston.1 These educational settings can provide essential opportunities for children to learn healthy eating habits and promote physical activity and wellness. However, not all programs offer the same opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity.2 Helping more afterschool programs adopt policies and practices that incorporate more physical activity, healthier snacks, and improved water access during program time can help ensure that all children in Boston’s afterschool programs have opportunities to grow up healthy.

About Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments

OSNAP is a proven initiative implemented in multiple communities that helps afterschool programs create environments that promote increased physical activity and consumption of healthy snacks.3-6 Creating healthier afterschool environments can contribute to higher quality afterschool programming. To implement this initiative, the Boston Public Health Commission would provide professional development opportunities for afterschool program leaders serving students in grades K-5. Afterschool staff leaders would participate in three learning collaborative sessions and receive technical assistance to assess7 and modify their programs’ practices and policies3 to meet the OSNAP nutrition and physical activity goals. The Boston Public Health Commission would supply program leaders with materials to support implementation and offer continuing education units for their participation.

Comparing Costs and Outcomes

CHOICES cost-effectiveness analysis compared the costs and outcomes over a 10-year time horizon (2020-2029) of implementing the OSNAP program with the costs and outcomes associated with not implementing the program.

Creating healthier afterschool environments is an investment in the future. By the end of 2029:
If creating healthier afterschool environments (OSNAP) was implemented in Boston, 10,800 children would be reached over 10 years, $34,100 would be saved in health care costs, and it would cost $18.30 per child per year to implement.

Conclusions and Implications

Opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy foods in afterschool programs are important to parents2 and can help enhance the quality of afterschool programing. Over 10 years, this strategy could train more than 600 afterschool teachers and directors. By equipping afterschool leaders with these skills and resources, afterschool programs could adopt healthier practices and policies and we project that 10,800 children would benefit from more physical activity and improved diet. We project that 37 cases of obesity would be prevented and $34,100 in healthcare costs related to excess weight would be saved in 2029. We expect this strategy would cost $18.30 per child per year to implement in Boston and is projected to be cost-effective at commonly accepted thresholds8 based on net population health improvement related to excess weight ($72,100 per quality-adjusted life year gained).

In addition to promoting healthy weight, this strategy may also support children’s health in other ways. Regular physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate hydration can improve children’s mental and emotional well-being and their heart, lung, and bone health.9 These healthy behaviors can also strengthen students’ attention, memory,10,11 and cognitive functioning,10 all important components for learning and academic performance. Incorporating physical activity and healthy snacks in afterschool programs can help children nurture healthy habits and lay a strong foundation for overall health and well-being.

This strategy builds upon Boston Public Health Commission’s demonstrated success where, in 2015, more than 120 programs took steps to improve their screen time, physical activity, and nutrition practices through OSNAP, creating higher quality afterschool programs across Boston.11 Broader implementation could reach all afterschool programs in Boston, improving practices and policies that promote increased physical activity and consumption of healthy snacks, furthering the Boston Public Health Commission’s goal of creating policy and systems changes in childcare to promote the health of all Boston residents.

References

  1. Boston AfterSchool & Beyond. SY 21-22 Programs. In. Boston, MA: Boston AfterSchool & Beyond; 2021.

  2. Kids on the Move: Afterschool Programs Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. Washington, D.C.: America After 3pm, Afterschool Alliance; 2015.

  3. Kenney EL, Giles CM, deBlois ME, Gortmaker SL, Chinfatt S, Cradock AL. Improving nutrition and physical activity policies in afterschool programs: results from a group-randomized controlled trial. Prev Med. 2014;66:159-166. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.06.011

  4. Cradock AL, Barrett JL, Giles CM, et al. Promoting Physical Activity With the Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Initiative: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial. JAMA Pediatr. 2016;170(2):155-162.

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Suggested Citation:

Carter S, Bovenzi M, Clarke J, Bolton AA, Reiner JF, Barrett JL, Cradock AL, Gortmaker SL. Boston, MA: Creating Healthier Afterschool Environments (OSNAP) {Issue Brief}. Boston Public Health Commission, Massachusetts, and the CHOICES Learning Collaborative Partnership at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; July 2023.

The design for this brief and its graphics were developed by Molly Garrone, MA and partners at Burness.

This issue brief was developed at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with the Boston Public Health Commission through participation in the Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study (CHOICES) Learning Collaborative Partnership. This brief is intended for educational use only. This work is supported by The JPB Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP006376). The findings and conclusions are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other funders.

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Use of Evidence-Based Interventions to Promote Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Community Health Improvement Plans from Large Local Health Departments

Posted on June 20, 2023

This study identifies evidence-based healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity strategies related to obesity prevention in large local health department Community Health Improvement Plans.

Dupuis R, Reiner JF, Silver S, Barrett JL, Daly JG, Lee RM, Gortmaker SL, Cradock AL. Use of Evidence-Based Interventions to Promote Healthy Weight, Nutrition, and Physical Activity in Community Health Improvement Plans from Large Local Health Departments. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2023 Sep-Oct 01;29(5):640-645. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0000000000001778. Epub 2023 Jun 20.

Abstract

We sought to identify evidence-based healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity strategies related to obesity prevention in large local health department (LHD) Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIPs). We analyzed the content of the most recent, publicly available plans from 72 accredited LHDs serving a population of at least 500 000 people. We matched CHIP strategies to the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps’ What Works for Health (WWFH) database of interventions. We identified 739 strategies across 55 plans, 62.5% of which matched a “WWFH intervention” rated for effectiveness on diet and exercise outcomes. Among the 20 most commonly identified WWFH interventions in CHIPs, 10 had the highest evidence for effectiveness while 4 were rated as likely to decrease health disparities according to WWFH. Future prioritization of strategies by health agencies could focus on strategies with the strongest evidence for promoting healthy weight, nutrition, and physical activity outcomes and reducing health disparities.

Funding

This study was supported by The JPB Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP001946 and U48DP006376). The findings and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or The JPB Foundation.

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