title: Camp-based immersion treatment for obese, low socioeconomic status, multi-ethnic adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immersion treatment (IT) provided in a camp setting has been shown to promote short-term improvements in weight and health status in obese adolescents. However, evidence of IT's long-term efficacy and efficacy for multi-ethnic and lower socioeconomic status (SES) adolescents is limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cohort study with a pre/post design and longitudinal follow-up. The intervention was a 19-day camp-based IT program comprising (1) a nutrition curriculum and ad-lib access to a nutritious diet, (2) several hours of physical activity daily, (3) group therapy, and (4) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This analysis included 52 low-SES adolescents that participated in 2009 and 2010. A subgroup of 33 campers and their families was offered follow-up monthly for 10 months. Primary outcome measures were change in weight-related parameters immediately postcamp and after 10 months of follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Campers had significant short-term improvements in mean waist circumference (mean [M], 2.6; standard deviation [SD], 3.2 cm), weight (M, 2.6; SD, 1.9 kg), BMI (M, 1.1; SD, 0.9 kg/m2), BMI z-score (M, 0.06; SD, 0.07), and percent overweight (M, 6.1; SD, 4.7). Campers offered follow-up had a modest increase in mean percent overweight (M, 2.0; SD, 8.4) during 10 months of follow-up. However, 33% experienced continuing decline in percent overweight during follow-up, and long-term follow-up was associated with significant overall (precamp vs. end of follow-up) improvements in percent overweight (M, 4.9; SD, 7.2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Camp-based IT with CBT is a promising intervention for improving short- and long-term weight status of low-SES adolescents. Additional research is needed to increase long-term efficacy.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Psychology, East Carolina University , Greenville, NC.
authors.forename: Marissa E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Carraway
authors.forename: Lesley D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Lutes
authors.forename: Yancey
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Keeley J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.forename: Amy Gross
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: McMillan
authors.forename: Lee G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Scripture
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Henes
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vos
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Collier
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002165:Camping; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D052756:Nutritional Sciences; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult