Feasibility of the Camp Power Up Program on Children's Body Weight and Quality of Life (CampPowerUp)

Examination of the Acceptance and Feasibility of Implementing the American Diabetes Association's Camp Power Up Program on Changes in Body Weight and Quality of Life Measures in Children

This study will evaluate the effects of a one week weight management summer camp on children's weight, quality of life, mood and feelings, self-esteem, weight management efficacy, enjoyment of physical activity, and body image.

Obesity affects 17% of children and adolescents in the U.S. Children are entrenched in an obesogenic environment, often with little support in the home, school, or medical environment to make healthy choices. Obesity is increasingly common in underserved communities that lack access and resources for physical activity and healthy eating. Louisiana is a prime example of the need for effective obesity treatment, ranking 1st nationally for adult obesity and 4th for adolescent obesity with the highest obesity prevalence among African American adolescents. We urgently need evidence-based programs to help children and families change lifestyle behaviors, achieve clinically significant weight loss, and thereby reduce the prevalence of pediatric obesity. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force identifies behavioral treatment including dietary, physical activity, and behavioral counseling components as a viable option for pediatric obesity treatment, yet a key challenge is how to implement these programs to maximize access and participation. Summer (between school years) represents an opportunity for intensive intervention to change health behaviors and help children to lose weight. During the summer months, children gain weight at a more rapid pace and spend more time engaged in sedentary behavior compared to the school year. The American Diabetes Association launched Camp Power Up as a summer week-long day camp for youth who are obese and/or at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The camp will focus on wellness education, nutrition, physical activity, and obesity prevention. The purpose of the proposed study is to examine effects of Camp Power Up on children's weight status and their psycho-social health.

Participants will engage in a one-week weight-management summer camp consisting of different activities related to moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and healthy eating. MVPA will consist of modifiable games and activities using a variety of equipment familiar to children of this age, such as balls, hula-hoops, Frisbees, etc., in both competitive and cooperative formats that keep participants moving at all times, and emphasize a feeling of play as opposed to a feeling of exercise. Healthy eating activities are composed of varying classroom-style learning and practical application of knowledge to topics such as recommendations from the MyPlate.gov website, the different types of food groups, and caloric intake and portion sizes, among other various topics.

Participants will engage in a one-week weight-management summer camp consisting of different activities related to moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and healthy eating. MVPA will consist of modifiable games and activities using a variety of equipment familiar to children of this age, such as balls, hula-hoops, Frisbees, etc., in both competitive and cooperative formats that keep participants moving at all times, and emphasize a feeling of play as opposed to a feeling of exercise. Healthy eating activities are composed of varying classroom-style learning and practical application of knowledge to topics such as recommendations from the MyPlate.gov website, the different types of food groups, and caloric intake and portion sizes, among other various topics.

Weight measurement (kg) using a standard scale following the Pennington Biomedical Standard Operating Procedure for weight measurements.

The PedsQL is a general health related quality of life self-report measure with :complementary scales for children (ages 6-14). The measure assesses availability, negative emotions, physical discomfort, positive activities, and physical, emotional, social, and school functioning, and provides a social psychosocial summary score as well as a total score.

The WEL assesses self-reported eating habits and perceived self-efficacy in regards to eating and weight loss. The WEL consists of 20 items designed to measure five hypothetical dimensions of efficacy for weight management: availability, negative emotions, physical discomfort, positive activities, and social pressure.

Inclusion Criteria: Aged 6 to 14 years Enrolled in the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Camp Power Up Exclusion Criteria: -