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PORTLAND, Maine

Rebecca Boulos publishes article in 'Childhood Obesity'

Rebecca J. Boulos, M.P.H., Ph.D., assistant clinical professor in the School of Community and Population Health, co-authored an article in Childhood Obesity titled, 鈥淰alidation of the Out-of-School-Time Snacks, Beverages, and Physical Activity Questionnaire (OST-SBPA).鈥

Nationwide, nearly 1 percent of youth ages 6鈥11 years, and nearly 21 percent of youth ages 12鈥19 years, are classified as obese. Since tens of millions of children participate in structured OST programs, these environments have the potential to positively impact a large segment of the U.S. youth population.

The article describes the process for validating the OST-SBPA, an online questionnaire administered to OST program leaders, designed to measure programs鈥 nutrition and physical activity environments.

Findings demonstrate that this brief questionnaire can be used to assess nutrition and physical activity offerings in OST programs. By assessing these weight-related characteristics of OST environments, researchers can continue to explore effective childhood obesity prevention strategies in OST programs, and program leaders can continue to ensure they are offering a healthful environment for youth.  

Boulos co-authored the study with colleagues from Tufts University鈥檚 Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and ChildObesity180: Christina D. Economos, Ph.D.; Miriam E. Nelson, Ph.D.; Jennifer M. Sacheck, Ph.D.; Sara C. Folta, Ph.D.; Stephanie Anzman-Frasca, Ph.D.; Alyssa Koomas, M.S., M.P.H., RD; and Teresa Dicolen, M.P.H., CHES.

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