Abstract
BackgroundThe number of obese children in the US remains high, which is problematic due to the mental, physical, and academic effects of obesity on child health. Data indicate that school-age children, particularly underserved children, experience unhealthy gains in BMI at a rate nearly twice as fast during the summer months. Few efforts have been directed at implementing evidence-based programming to prevent excess weight gain during the summer recess.MethodsCamp NERF is an 8-week, multi-component (nutrition, physical activity, and mental health), theory-based program for underserved school-age children in grades Kindergarten - 5th coupled with the USDA Summer Food Service Program. Twelve eligible elementary school sites will be randomized to one of the three programming groups: 1) Active Control (non-nutrition, physical activity, or mental health); 2) Standard Care (nutrition and physical activity); or 3) Enhanced Care (nutrition, physical activity, and mental health) programming. Anthropometric, behavioral, and psychosocial data will be collected from child-caregiver dyads pre- and post-intervention. Site-specific characteristics and process evaluation measures will also be collected.DiscussionThis is the first, evidence-based intervention to address the issue of weight gain during the summer months among underserved, school-aged children. Results from this study will provide researchers, practitioners, and public health professionals with insight on evidence-based programming to aid in childhood obesity prevention during this particular window of risk.Trial Registration NCT02908230/09-19-2016
Highlights
The number of obese children in the US remains high, which is problematic due to the mental, physical, and academic effects of obesity on child health
Few efforts have been directed at designing evidence-based nutrition and physical activity programs to equip underserved children with the necessary knowledge, skills, and other resources to prevent excess weight gain during the summer recess
Emerging research has indicated the summertime as a particular window of risk for unhealthy weight gain among children, especially underserved, minority children [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]
Summary
The number of obese children in the US remains high, which is problematic due to the mental, physical, and academic effects of obesity on child health. There appears to be a developmental trajectory in prevalence of obesity as 8 % of 2- to 5-year olds, 17.7 % of 6- to 11-year olds, and 20.5 % of 12- to 19-year olds were classified as obese in 2011–2012 [1] While it appears that the rise in obesity has tapered off, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among US youth remains concerning due to its devastating consequences, which affect the physical and mental health of children, as well as their academic success [2, 3]
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