Creating Healthier Places

National Recreation and Park Association

2016 Progress Report

Visit National Recreation and Park Association

Year Committed: 2014

Length of Commitment: 5 years

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Encourage 2,000 park and recreation sites to join the national effort to create healthier environments for children in out-of-school time programs. This includes encouraging sites nationwide to adopt established guidelines based on The National Afterschool Association Standards for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity that address healthy eating, physical activity, and youth and parent education.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
NRPA will encourage 2,000 sites to join in the national effort to create healthier environments for children in out-of-school time programs.
Progress To Date

839 sites completed the inventory.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Serve a fruit or vegetable at every snack and/or meal.
Progress To Date

85% of sites said they provide a fruit or vegetable at every meal. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports. See the Methodology section for a full description of the confidence levels.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Serve only foods with no artificial trans fats
Progress To Date

73% sites said they prohibit trans fats in their snacks and meals. Based on the document audit, the verifier is somewhat confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Serve only whole grain-rich products.
Progress To Date

76% of sites said they provide only whole grain-rich products at snacks and meals. Based on the document audit, the verifier is confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Serve only non-fat or reduced fat yogurt and cheese
Progress To Date

89% of sites said they provide only non-fat or reduced fat dairy products at snacks and meals. Based on the document audit, the verifier is somewhat confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Serve only lean meat, skinless poultry, seafood, beans or legumes or eggs.
Progress To Date

74% of sites said they provide only lean protein, beans/legumes, and eggs at snacks and meals. Based on the document audit, the verifier is somewhat confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Serve only packaged snacks or frozen desserts that meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards.
Progress To Date

84% of sites said they provide only packaged snacks that meet Smart Snacks. Based on the document audit, the verifier is confident in the accuracy of these reports. 60% of sites said they provide only frozen desserts that meet Smart Snacks. Based on the document audit, the verifier is somewhat confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Provide plain potable water at all times at no cost to youth and staff.
Progress To Date

95% of sites said they provide drinking water at no cost. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Serve only water, plain low-fat milk, plain or flavored nonfat milk or milk alternative; 100% fruit or vegetable juice with no added sweeteners or 100% juice diluted with water with no added sweeteners
Progress To Date

93% of sites said they provide low-fat plain, or plain or flavored non-fat milk at snacks and meals. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports. 86% of sites said they provide only 100% fruit or vegetable juice. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports. 82% of sites said they prohibit full-calorie sodas, sports drinks or juice drinks. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports. 81% of sites said they prohibit diet/low-calorie beverages for elementary students. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports. 87% of sites said they serve only non-caffeinated beverages. Based on the document audit, the verifier is confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Dedicate at least 20% or at least 30 minutes of morning or afterschool program time to physical activity and 60 minutes for a full day program
Progress To Date

97% of sites said they provide 30 minutes of morning/afterschool or 60 minutes total of physical activity a day. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Provide physical activities in which youth are moderately to vigorously active for at least 50% of the physical activity time.
Progress To Date

95% of sites said they provide activities that are moderate to vigorous. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Ensure physical activity takes place outdoors whenever possible
Progress To Date

97% of sites said they ensure physical activity takes place outdoors. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Do not permit access to television or movies.
Progress To Date

53% of sites said that no access to TV or movies was allowed. Based on the document audit, the verifier is confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Limit digital device time to less than one hour per day and digital device use is limited to homework or activities that engage youth in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity.
Progress To Date

90% of sites said they limit digital device time. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Offer evidence-based nutrition education to youth
Progress To Date

86% of sites said they provide evidence-based Nutrition Education. Based on the document audit, the verifier is confident in the accuracy of these reports.
Implementation Date
August 2018
Reporting Date
August 2016

Commitment Element
Offer education materials about nutrition and physical activity to families through pamphlets, newsletters, email blasts or other means.
Progress To Date

68% of sites said they share educational materials with families. Based on the document audit, the verifier is highly confident in the accuracy of these reports. 60% of sites said they share nutrition education materials with parents. Based on the document audit, the verifier is confident in the accuracy of these reports.

Partner Statement

“Park and recreation agencies are leading the way to healthier communities across the country. Since 2014, over 1,250 local park and recreation sites have implemented the Healthy Eating Physical Activity standards in their out-of-school time programs, impacting over 228,000 children with increased access to nutritious foods and increased opportunities for physical activity. In just three short years, agencies have successfully changed their menus to offer healthier foods by ensuring that there is a fruit and vegetable at every meal, dairy products are low-fat or fat free and water is available at all times to program participants. Park and recreation sites have evaluated and modified their program and activity schedules to make sure that kids are meeting the daily requirements for physical activity and spending time outdoors. And, park and recreation agencies are providing evidence-based nutrition literacy during their programs, leading to increases in healthy living knowledge and healthy eating and physical activity behavior changes. From increased fruit and vegetable consumption to families reporting that they are enjoying getting active and cooking healthy meals together, communities of all shapes and sizes are experiencing the benefits of local parks and recreation and their commitment to health.”