Short- and medium-term impact of a residential weight-loss camp for overweight adolescents

Abstract

Management of adolescent obesity in clinical practice has been usually centered on the promotion of healthy eating and an active lifestyle, with a weak evidence base. In search of creative and more effective interventions, our objective was to evaluate the immediate and follow-up effectiveness of a residential camp program for obese adolescents. A total of 28 obese adolescents (15 girls), mean age 13.3±1.7 years and body mass index (BMI) 30.3±5.4 kg/m2, who were attending a tertiary health unit, enrolled in a 2-week camp. The activities were prepared and supervised by different specialists. All adolescents were assessed for anthropometric and psychosocial variables including body image, self-esteem, quality of life and depressive symptoms. Evaluations were conducted on the first and last day of the camp and at 6 months' follow-up. The effect of treatment was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) mixed models. At the end of the camp, weight was reduced by -2.7±1.2%, BMI by -0.8±0.4 units and waist circumference by -2.8±9.8 cm. A reduction in depressive symptoms was identified, with greater reductions in BMI associated with a more significant improvement in depressive symptoms. At the 6 months' follow-up only girls maintained BMI reduction, with boys having increased their BMI. In the short-term the camp was effective in reducing BMI and improving depressive symptoms. Only girls were able to proceed with BMI reduction at 6 months. These gender differences should be further explored. Ongoing research is examining the maintenance of these improvements.