Can small changes in a summer camp program for the rural impoverished make a difference in healthy eating?

Abstract

The current epidemic of obesity now affects children, both rural and urban. Rural nutrition education efforts are challenging due to inability to work with children/families closely. The Delta Obesity Research Prevention Unit (DOPRU) has worked Phillips County, AR via a summer camp program. In 2007, DOPRU reviewed camp menus and identified changes needed. Subsequent years introduced more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dairy. Camp included access to food and sessions on nutrition and physical activity conducted by DOPRU trained interns. To assess diet, campers consented to 24‐hour dietary recalls at beginning and end of camp in 2007 (n=120), with a third collection one month post camp in 2008 (n=73) and 2009 (n=36). Total HEI scores averaged 45.2% in 2007, 43.6% in 2008, and 45.0% in 2009, compared to a reported HEI score for children 6–11 years of 54.7% reported nationally. These children, compared to US, consumed fewer fruits, vegetables and milk; and high in fat, saturated fat, other discretionary calories and sodium. Emphasis on whole grains in 2009 doubled the HEI score from 0.4, to 0.5, to 1.0 in years 2007, 2008 and 2009 respectively. Despite small changes with positive results, Delta children still have lower HEI scores compared to US. Increasing awareness of healthy diets is desperately needed and plans are in place to bring families on board with nutrition education efforts.USDA/ARS 6251 5100 008 00D