Camp SHINE

Abstract

According to the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES), in 2008, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. This article describes the use of a residential, medically supervised summer camp to help overweight and obese children prevent excessive summertime weight gain. The theoretical framework guiding the program was Rosenstock's health belief model (HBM). The weight loss results are included as well as information concerning adaptations of physical activities, environmental design considerations, and creating a supportive atmosphere, to meet the unique needs of this population. Data show that weight loss can be achieved for overweight/obese children/teens in residential camps designed to develop healthy behaviors.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity Increases Only in Males During a Summer Camp for Obese Children

“…Camps for obese children can improve short-and long-term eating and physical activity habits (Di Pietro et al, 2004;McCarty et al, 2012). However, in the present study, the camp experience did not improve physical activity levels in female children, while it was effective in males.…”

“…The adoption of multidisciplinary and intensive protocols could overcome the limitations of traditional ones. In this context, camps for obese children represent a useful instrument for nutritional and lifestyle re-education, improving short-and longterm eating, and physical activity habits (Di Pietro et al, 2004;McCarty et al, 2012;Barnett et al, 2018). Previous physical activity is a key determinant of actual physical activity in children (Condello et al, 2017), and there is evidence that an 8-day summer camp is enough to determine positive behavioral changes toward physical activity in the long term (Di Pietro et al, 2004).…”