title: For comparison: experience with a children's obesity camp.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The alarming rise in childhood obesity has resulted in a number of bariatric surgical initiatives. To interpret the outcomes, a comparison with a nonoperative approach is prudent.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2003, 2004, and 2005, we measured the outcomes produced by an isolated summer camp in North Carolina for 74, 99, and 89 obese children and adolescents with a mean age of 12.7 +/- 2.3, 13.0 +/- 1.9, and 13.2 +/- 1.8 years and initial body mass index (BMI) of 33.1 +/- 5.7, 33.4 +/- 6.4, and 32.9 +/- 7.0 kg/m2, respectively. The camp featured a 1700/d caloric diet, daily aerobic and resistance weight training exercise, nutrition classes, and weekly sessions with a psychologist. The changes in weight, BMI, body shape measurements, and fitness level were assessed. The average length of stay was 4.3, 4.2, and 4.4 weeks, respectively, in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BMI, body shape, and weight change measures significantly improved during each of the summers. The campers lost 1.6, 2.0, and 1.8 kg/wk during each of the 3 years. Their waist measurements decreased by 9.1 +/- 5.12 cm, 9.9 +/- 5.6 cm, and 8.1 +/- 5.8 cm. Significant improvements occurred in the timed sprints, .5-mile (0.8-km) run, and vertical jump. Of those campers staying for two summers, 4.4% continued to reduce their BMI despite growth, 56.5% maintained their BMI at less than the initial baseline measurement, and 39.1% increased their BMI to greater than the baseline. The co-morbidities also improved. One camper, aged 15 years, weighing 211 kg, progressed from being able to walk 3 steps to managing the 100-yard (91-m) dash in 42 seconds after losing 35 kg in 8 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diets, exercise, and behavioral modification are useful approaches in severely obese children that can, in some, produce significant albeit expensive long-term results. Recidivism is a problem. Surgical outcomes must compare favorably with these outcomes.
authors.affiliation: East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, USA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarvey
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Collier
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Willson
authors.forename: Ira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Mary Lisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pories
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Escott-Stump
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pories
mesh_terms: D001521:Behavior Therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D009765:Obesity / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss