Camp jump start: effects of a residential summer weight-loss camp for older children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Residential weight-loss camps offer an opportunity for overweight and obese children to lose weight in a medically safe, supervised, supportive environment. The purpose of this report is to describe short-term outcomes in 76 children participating in a 4- or 8-week residential weight-loss camp for children and adolescents.


METHODS
The camp program enrolled obese 10- to 18-year-old adolescents. The program consisted of structured and nonstructured physical activities and group educational sessions covering nutrition, physical fitness, and self-esteem. A diet plan of 3 balanced meals and 2 snacks per day was prepared under the supervision of a registered dietitian. Participants had height, weight, and blood pressure measured and performed a 1-mile run at maximum effort on an outdoor track.


RESULTS
For all campers, statistically significant (P < .0001) reductions were observed for BMI, BMI z score, systolic blood pressure, body weight, and 1-mile run times. Compared with campers in the 4-week session, campers in the 8-week session had greater reductions in BMI, BMI z score, body weight, and systolic blood pressure. Multivariate analysis revealed that gender was a significant predictor for reduction in body weight, BMI, and BMI z score, all of which decreased more in boys than in girls.


CONCLUSIONS
This report adds to the evidence that residential weight-loss camps are highly effective in improving measures of health and fitness among overweight and obese children and adolescents. Additional study is needed on the long-term effects of such camps in terms of weight maintenance, behavior change, and metabolic and health outcomes.
Huelsing
Jean
J
Camp Jump Start, Living Well Foundation, Imperial, Missouri, USA.
Kanafani
Nadim
N
Mao
Jingnan
J
White
Neil H
NH
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002165:Camping / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D050177:Overweight / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology