Sports camp with six months of support from a local sports club as a treatment for childhood obesity.
OBJECTIVE
Although childhood obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent, treatment options are limited and the continued development of effective treatment strategies is necessary. It is equally important to explore involvement of other resources in society, such as sports associations. This study was designed to investigate the possibility of reducing the degree of obesity in obese children by focusing on physical activity as an intervention.


METHODS
Seventy-six children (40 boys) aged 8-12 years (mean age 10.5 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 28.9, standard deviation (SD) 3.0; mean BMI z-score 3.24, SD 0.49) were invited to participate in a one-week sports camp and six-month support system. After the camp a sports coach from a local sports club supported the child during participation in a chosen sport for six months. Weight, height, body composition (using dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging), and lifestyle (using a questionnaire) were measured at baseline and after 12 months. Data were pooled from two camps, one with a self-selected control group and one randomized controlled trial.


RESULTS
Twelve months after the camp the intervention group had a significant decrease in BMI z-score (baseline BMI z-score 3.22; follow up 3.10, p = 0.023). The control group also reduced their BMI z-score (baseline BMI z-score 3.27; follow up 3.18, p = 0.022). No differences were found in baseline values, follow-up values, or changes in BMI z-score between groups, nor between boys and girls.


CONCLUSIONS
The focus on physical activity as an intervention had no effect on degree of obesity when compared with a waiting list control group.
Nowicka
Paulina
P
Childhood Obesity Unit, University Hospital Malmö, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. paulina.nowicka@med.lu.se
Lanke
Jan
J
Pietrobelli
Angelo
A
Apitzsch
Erwin
E
Flodmark
Carl-Erik
CE
D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology