Efficiency of improving health of children and adolescents while staying in summer recreation center

Abstract

Objective. To assess the effectiveness of health improvement during the vacation period of summer recreation campaign based on the assessment of the health status of children in a summer recreation center.
 Materials and methods. A total of 377 children and adolescents aged 7 to 15 years (203 girls and 174 boys) were examined in conditions of a twenty-four-hour stay at the children's recreation center during the period of 21 days. The effectiveness of recreation was evaluated on the basis of an analysis of anthropometric, physiometric indicators, medical documentation of children’s health, and a survey of parents about the results of recreation.
 Results. High efficiency of improvement of the health was revealed in 95 % of vacationers, low efficiency was noted in 4 %, no efficiency – in 1 % of children. The maximum dynamics of body weight indicators was observed in 1.8 % of children. A positive trend of transition to the group of average physical development was observed in 3 children with body weight deficiency and in 4 – with excess body weight. All the parents interviewed, positively assessed the form of activity of the health institution.
 Conclusions. An active involvement of children of different age in children's recreation organizations will improve the level of health of schoolchildren. The participation of parents or legal representatives in the study of the effectiveness of summer recreation campaign will allow adjusting the principles of organization and long-term effects.