Abstract
Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States (U.S). By 2025, it is predicted that 45-50 percent of all U.S. children will be obese, as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Palmer & Carpenter, 2006). With declining state budgets for schools, physical activity and healthy eating programs are often the first programs cut from the school curriculum. The lack of school funding means that many students may not be receiving information about physical activities and healthy eating at a critical age. The purpose of this project was to assess the need for physical activity and healthy eating components for after-school programs in the Sacramento metropolitan area. This project was conducted using survey responses from six after-school programs in the metropolitan area of Sacramento, California during the spring of 2010. Based on the analysis of the data, three themes emerged. The three themes include: choice verses mandated programming, limited nutrition education, and lack of staffing and training. In looking at the themes that emerged, having a better understanding of what is being provided in the after-school programs can aid in developing more engaging and educational programming. Future research should look at expanding the region to which the research was conducted to include a larger participant pool. In addition, a quantitative component may help to determine if the programs the participants are provided are making a difference in the lives of children.