title: Camp NERF: methods of a theory-based nutrition education recreation and fitness program aimed at preventing unhealthy weight gain in underserved elementary children during summer months.
abstract: The number of obese children in the US remains high, which is problematic due to the mental, physical, and academic effects of obesity on child health. Data indicate that school-age children, particularly underserved children, experience unhealthy gains in BMI at a rate nearly twice as fast during the summer months. Few efforts have been directed at implementing evidence-based programming to prevent excess weight gain during the summer recess.
  
  
  
  Camp NERF is an 8-week, multi-component (nutrition, physical activity, and mental health), theory-based program for underserved school-age children in grades Kindergarten - 5th coupled with the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Twelve eligible elementary school sites will be randomized to one of the three programming groups: 1) Active Control (non-nutrition, physical activity, or mental health); 2) Standard Care (nutrition and physical activity); or 3) Enhanced Care (nutrition, physical activity, and mental health) programming. Anthropometric, behavioral, and psychosocial data will be collected from child-caregiver dyads pre- and post-intervention. Site-specific characteristics and process evaluation measures will also be collected.
  
  
  
  This is the first, evidence-based intervention to address the issue of weight gain during the summer months among underserved, school-aged children. Results from this study will provide researchers, practitioners, and public health professionals with insight on evidence-based programming to aid in childhood obesity prevention during this particular window of risk.
  
  
  
  NCT02908230/09-19-2016.
authors: Department of Human Sciences, Human Nutrition Program, The Ohio State University, 262B Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors: Laura C
authors: LC
authors: Hopkins
authors: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 1670 Upham Drive Suite 460G, Columbus, OH, 43210-1250, USA.
authors: Mary
authors: M
authors: Fristad
authors: Department of Human Sciences, Kinesiology Program, College of Education & Human Ecology, The Ohio State University, A244 305 Annie & John Glenn Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors: Jacqueline D
authors: JD
authors: Goodway
authors: Nationwide Children's Hospital; The Ohio State University, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.
authors: Ihuoma
authors: I
authors: Eneli
authors: Department of Statistics, The Ohio State University, 404 Cockins Hall, 1958 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Holloman
authors: Department of Human Sciences, Human, The Ohio State University, 315 Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors: Julie A
authors: JA
authors: Kennel
authors: College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Avenue, Rm. 145, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
authors: Bernadette
authors: B
authors: Melnyk
authors: Department of Human Sciences, Human Nutrition Program, The Ohio State University, 313 Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. gunther.22@osu.edu.
authors: Carolyn
authors: C
authors: Gunther
mesh_terms: D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D005522:Food Services; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015397:Program Evaluation; D057173:Recreation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012572:School Health Services; D012574:Schools; D012621:Seasons; D014481:United States; D035862:Vulnerable Populations; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: Behavioral intervention; Childhood obesity prevention; Elementary children; Nutrition; Physical activity