The HPRC partnered with the Boston Public Schools and the Boston Public Health Commission to evaluate the impact of the Boston Public Schools’ efforts to increase and improve physical education (PE) and physical activity in schools.
Active School Day policy implementation provided equipment, curricular materials, and training to physical educators and school wellness champions to promote 150 weekly minutes of quality physical education, recess, and physical activity integrated into classrooms
The study took place in six elementary schools with three matched pairs in Boston, Massachusetts, between February and June 2011.
The quasi-experimental study tested the effectiveness of Active School Day policy Implementation on physical activity outcomes and estimated school-level implementation costs. It was found that Active School Day implementation increased student moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels by 24% and decreased sedentary time during school at modest cost.
Principal Investigator: Angie Cradock, ScD
Funder: The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Active Living Research
Funding Dates: February 15, 2011 – August 14, 2012
Contact: Jessica Barrett
Peer-Reviewed Publication
- Cradock AL, Barrett JL, Carter J, McHugh A, Sproul J, Russo ET, Dao-Tran P, Gortmaker SL. Impact of the Boston Active School Day policy to promote physical activity among children. Am J Health Pro-mot. 2014 Jan-Feb;28(3 Suppl):S54-64.
Presentation
- Cradock A, Gortmaker S, Barrett J, Carter J, Sproul J, McHugh A, Russo E. Evaluation of Boston’s Active School Day Initiatives, 2012 Active Living Research Annual Conference, San Diego, CA, March 14, 2012.
Other Resources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Communities Putting Prevention to Work
- Boston Public Schools