This study will examine the food environments among YMCA after-school programs that primarily serve African-American children on Chicago’s South side, as well as factors impacting the implementation of such after-school programs and snack offerings within these programs. Specifically, the aims of this work are to use qualitative and quantitative methods to: (a) identify the potential organizational, environmental, and individual factors contributing to and/or hindering implementation of the YMCA Activate America initiative and its modification of the after-school program food environment, (b) identify factors influencing the provision of healthy snacks in these programs, (c) obtain a better understanding of the after-school program food environment during snack time, and (d) obtain a better understanding of current dietary patterns among children attending these programs.
Start Date: September 2008
ID #: 65052
Principal Investigator: Dawnavan Davis, PhD, MS
Organization: University of Chicago
Funding Round: New Connections Round 2
Age Groups: Adults and Families, Elementary-age children (grades K to 5)
Race/Ethnicity: African American or Black
Keywords: Community setting, Out-of-School Time, Physical activity, Snacks, Vending machines
Resource Type: Grant Summary
State: Illinois
Focus Area: School & After School
Related Research
February 2023
Rapid Health Impact Assessment on Changes to School Nutrition Standards to Align with 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The national school breakfast and lunch programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are cornerstone federal nutrition assistance programs. School meals are one of the healthiest sources of foods for school-age children, which is significant as some children receive up to half of their daily calories at school. Policy opportunities in 2023 MoreNovember 2022
Promising Strategies to Increase Student Participation in School Meals
School meal programs play a critical role in feeding children. Meals served in school are generally of better nutritional quality than those that students bring from home and have been linked to improved academic performance and household food security. The aim of this research brief is to highlight and summarize rigorous evidence from a new MoreAugust 2022