Keywords

4 H camp, nutrition-education curriculum, overweight youth

 

Authors

  1. Dunn, Carolyn PhD
  2. Kolasa, Kathryn M. PhD, RD, LDN
  3. Harris, Nancy MS, RD, LDN
  4. Crawford, Yancey MPH
  5. Henes, Sarah MA, RD, LDN
  6. Kinner, Stephanie BA
  7. Sutton, Virginia MPH
  8. Colby, Sarah PhD, RD, LDN
  9. Collier, David N. PhD, MD

Abstract

Evidence exists about the effectiveness of residential summer weight-loss camps for initiating or supporting small changes in childhood obesity. This report describes the development and evaluation of a nutrition-education program for overweight adolescents attending a 3-week healthy lifestyle camp. Campers were given a diet prescription based on MyPyramid and then self-selected their meals and snacks in a family-style service format. The curriculum included eating strategies known to contribute to healthy weights in youth. Campers demonstrated an improved ability to estimate portion sizes. Thirty-four campers completed the 3-week experience with a weight loss considered to be safe.