Published online July 1, 2005
PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 1 July 2005, pp. 73-77 (doi:10.1542/peds.2004-0397)
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (8)
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gately, P. J.
Right arrow Articles by Hill, A. J.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Gately, P. J.
Right arrow Articles by Hill, A. J.
Related Collections
Right arrow Nutrition & Metabolism

Children's Residential Weight-Loss Programs Can Work: A Prospective Cohort Study of Short-Term Outcomes for Overweight and Obese Children

Paul J. Gately, PhD*, Carlton B. Cooke, PhD*, Julian H. Barth, MD{ddagger}, Bridgette M. Bewick, MA*, Duncan Radley, BSc* and Andrew J. Hill, PhD§

* School of Leisure and Sports Studies, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom
{ddagger} Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom
§ Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Leeds University School of Medicine, Leeds, United Kingdom

Objective. The evidence base for child obesity treatment is weak. Children's weight-loss camps, despite their popularity, have not been properly evaluated. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a residential weight-loss camp program for overweight and obese children.

Methods. A total of 185 overweight children (mean age: 13.9 years) enrolled in 1 of 4 consecutive programs between 1999 and 2002 (intervention group) were compared with 94 children of similar ages who were not camp attendees, ie, 38 overweight children and 56 normal-weight children. The intervention group attended a 6-week (maximum) summer residential weight-loss camp. The program included a daily schedule of six 1-hour, skill-based, fun, physical activity sessions, moderate dietary restriction, and group-based educational sessions. All children were assessed for body weight, height, and other anthropometric measures, blood pressure, aerobic fitness, self-esteem, and selected sports skills.

Results. Campers, who stayed for a mean of 29 days, lost 6.0 kg, reduced their BMI by 2.4 units, and reduced their BMI SD scores by 0.28. Fat mass decreased significantly (from 42.7 to 37.1 kg), whereas fat-free mass did not change. In contrast, both comparison groups gained weight during this period. Camp attendees also showed significant improvements in blood pressure, aerobic fitness, and self-esteem. Longer durations of stay were associated with greater improvements in outcomes.

Conclusions. In the short term at least, this weight-loss program was effective across a range of health outcomes. Ongoing research is examining the maintenance of these improvements. Future research should investigate whether benefits can be generalized across weight-loss camps and how the intervention can be adapted to nonresidential, term-time settings.

Key Words: child obesity • weight-loss camp • physical activity • fat mass • blood pressure • aerobic fitness • self-esteem

Accepted Oct 25, 2004.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J Pediatr PsycholHome page
K. W. Lowry, B. J. Sallinen, and D. M. Janicke
The Effects of Weight Management Programs on Self-Esteem in Pediatric Overweight Populations
J. Pediatr. Psychol., November 1, 2007; 32(10): 1179 - 1195.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Arch. Dis. Child.Home page
J J Reilly
Tackling the obesity epidemic: new approaches.
Arch. Dis. Child., September 1, 2006; 91(9): 724 - 726.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Journal Watch DermatologyHome page
Do Obesity Camps Work?
Journal Watch Dermatology, September 27, 2005; 2005(927): 9 - 9.
[Full Text]

Home page
 JWatch PsychiatryHome page
Do Obesity Camps Work?
Journal Watch Psychiatry, September 21, 2005; 2005(921): 9 - 9.
[Full Text]

Home page
 JWatch GeneralHome page
Do Obesity Camps Work?
Journal Watch (General), August 9, 2005; 2005(809): 5 - 5.
[Full Text]