Summer camp promotes anthropometric changes in overweight youth in Fresno, California

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a nutrition‐themed camp on cardiovascular risk factors in low‐income overweight and obese youth (body mass index for age, BMI > 85th percentile). During summer 2011, 96 youth, ages 9–17 yrs, participated in the Fresno Parks and Recreation Fitness Camp (FC). The five week camp included 2–3 hours of physical activity daily and nutrition education, taught by the University of California CalFresh Nutrition Education Program. A control group (n=15 youth) from the camp waitlist was followed for the same period without exposure to FC. Trained staff measured weight, height, and waist circumference and collected 24 hour diet recalls from the youth at baseline and end of camp. Using analysis of variance, significant differences were observed in pre‐post weight change between FC (−1.06 kg in 9–11 yr olds and −1.58 kg in 12–17 yr olds) and controls (+0.33 kg), after controlling for baseline BMI z‐score (p=0.04). Waist circumference change was also significantly different among FC and controls after controlling for baseline BMI z‐score (p=0.003). Nutrition‐themed summer camps may play a role in reducing excess body weight and waist circumference in low‐income youth. Funded in part by University of California CalFresh Nutrition Education Program (formerly known as UC FSNEP)