Outside school hours care program helps kids be more active and stay off screens
The school bell may signal the end of lessons, but for more than half a million Australian children each week, it doesn't mean the end of opportunities to be active.
Outside school hours care services that complete an evidence-based program, Activated OSHC, can significantly improve children's physical activity and reduce screen time, according to a study from Adelaide University. The program, which provides online training and accreditation, shows promising results, with accredited services having more than seven times the odds of meeting activity and screen-time targets compared to unaccredited services.
However, fewer than half of the participating services successfully completed the program, highlighting the need for additional support to help more providers implement the changes. Lead researcher Professor Carol Maher emphasizes that while outside school hours care offers numerous opportunities for children to be active, it is crucial to address the challenges faced by OSHC services in adopting healthier practices.
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