An innovative summer camp program improves weight and self-esteem in obese children.
To determine the potential benefits of a residential summer camp to treat childhood obesity, 21 obese, multiethnic children (aged 11.4+/-1.4 years; body mass index [BMI] percentile 98.5+/-1.4; BMI z score 2.30+/-0.33) from a diverse socioeconomic background were enrolled in a 2-week summer camp program. Significant improvements (P<0.04) were observed in self-esteem (+0.27+/-0.33 point), body weight (-3.7+/-1.2 kg), BMI (-1.60+/-0.48 kg/m), BMI z score (-0.12+/-0.06), number of curl ups (+10.9+/-21.5), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-10.8+/-13.4 and -9.4+/-5.5 mmHg, respectively), and heart rate (-8.2+/-12.7 bpm).
Wong
William W
WW
USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA. wwong@bcm.edu
Abrams
Stephanie H
SH
Mikhail
Carmen
C
Terrazas
Norma L
NL
Wilson
Theresa A
TA
Arceo
Diana
D
Mrowczynski
Paula K
PK
King
Kristi L
KL
Stansel
Amanda D
AD
Albright
Ashley N
AN
Barlow
Sarah E
SE
Brown
Kimberly O
KO
Brown
Jason D
JD
Klish
William J
WJ
D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D004038:Diet, Reducing; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome