EVALUATING CHILDREN’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS - Working paper

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia

A working paper evaluates physical activity programs funded by the Boston Foundation, using data and analyses drawn from school-based initiatives associated with ChildObesity180. It reviews background on children’s activity needs and how the COVID-19 pandemic may have reduced activity levels and widened disparities. The study outlines an overall evaluation approach and methods, including secondary data analysis, systematic review, staff and leadership surveys, and key informant interviews. Strengths, limitations, and opportunities are summarized to inform future practice.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages42

Reading Time1 h 46 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Background: Children’s Physical Activity and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research Context, Methods and Aims

Overall Evaluation Approach and Methods

Secondary Data Analysis

School-Based Running Initiative Systematic Review

Physical Activity Program Staff Survey

Physical Activity Program Leadership Survey

Key Informant Interviews

Strengths and Limitations

Opportunities

References

Appendices

EVALUATING CHILDREN’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS A WORKING PAPER FROM CHILDOBESITY180 AC KN OWL E D G M E NT S The authors wish to acknowledge program leaders and staff from Build Our Kids’ Success, Community Rowing, Inc., Playworks, and Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center who participated in this research. We also wish to acknowledge Boston Public Schools Health & Wellness, which sponsored our research protocol, facilitated our access to secondary data used in our analyses, and provided general strategic guidance. Finally, we thank the Boston Foundation for funding and thought partnership in support of this work. ABOUT THE BOSTON FOUNDATION The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, seeks to bring the collective power of our region’s people and resources together to drive real change. Established in 1915, it is one of the largest community foundations in the nation—with net assets of $1.3 billion. In 2020, the Foundation received $169 million in contributions and the Foundation and its donors paid $215 million in grants to nonprofit organizations. The Foundation has many partners, including its donors, who have established more than 1,000 separate charitable funds for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes. With support from the Annual Campaign for Civic Leadership, the Foundation also facilitates public discourse and action, commissions research into the most critical issues of our time and advocates for public policy that advances opportunity for everyone. The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), a consulting unit of the Foundation, designs and implements customized philanthropic strategies for families, foundations and corporations around the globe. To learn more about the Foundation and its work, [visit TBF.org](visit TBF.org). ABOUT CHILDOBESITY180 ChildObesity180 is an initiative of the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University. It works to build effective partnerships that include academia, business, and community-based organizations. Its multi-sector collaborations bring together expertise critical to advancing the science and practice of obesity prevention and to creating healthy, sustainable environments in which all children can thrive. ABOUT THE GERALD J. AND DOROTHY R. FRIEDMAN SCHOOL OF NUTRITION SCIENCE AND POLICY The Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University was established in 1978, bringing together biomedical, social, political, and behavioral scientists to conduct research, educational, and community-service programs to improve the nutritional health and well-being of populations throughout the world. The Friedman School is the only graduate and professional school of nutrition in North America whose goal is to improve nutritional well-being through the areas of clinical nutrition, social and public policy, and biomedicine. Its mission is to generate trusted science, educate future leaders, and produce real-world impact in nutrition science and policy. Cover Photo: kali9| iStock © 2021 by the Boston Foundation. All rights reserved. EVALUATING CHILDREN’S PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAMS A WORKING PAPER FROM CHILDOBESITY180 This report was prepared for the Boston Foundation by Tufts University researchers to evaluate physical activity programs funded by the Foundation. Additional manuscripts are currently being prepared for peer review in scientific publications using data from this study. Those manuscripts may include results from analyses different from those presented here. AUTHORS Daniel P. Hatfield, Ph.D. Daniel J. Schultz, M.S., R.D. Peter J. Bakun, B.S. Carly E. Gunderson, M.S. Christina D. Economos, Ph.D. EDITOR Sandy Kendall, The Boston Foundation DESIGN Kate Canfield, Canfield Design DECEMBER 2021 Table of Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 BACKGROUND 8 OVERALL EVALUATION APPROACH A

FAQs

What is the purpose of this working paper?

The working paper evaluates physical activity programs funded by the Boston Foundation, focusing on their reach and effectiveness for participating children.

Why was the original in-person measurement plan changed?

The plan using in-person accelerometry measurements became infeasible due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

What data collection and analysis methods are used?

The document describes secondary data analysis, a school-based running initiative systematic review, staff and leadership surveys, and key informant interviews.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Mia