Despite the lack of evidence, childhood obesity interventions are very frequent in clinical practice. And although weight-loss camps are widespread intervention, very few studies have assessed their efficacy. The findings of the two separate studies demonstrated some weight loss in campers, and another showed no change in weight. Gately and colleagues conducted research on short-term weight-loss outcomes of a weight-loss camp organized in the United Kingdom.
In this four-year research, 263 overweight and obese kids with an average age of 13.9 years were registered with weight-loss camps. They were contrasted with thirty eight overweight and fifty six healthy-weight children. Assessment comprised anthropometric measures, fitness, blood pressure, self-esteem, and performance in particular sport activities. The camps offered frequent, high-quality sports activities and moderate dietary limitations with three complete meals and one snack daily.
In the very beginning of the research, the participants of the camp had a greater body mass index (BMI) and higher body fat percentage than the comparison group. Though, campers finally managed to decrease their BMI, while comparison groups raised their BMI. The difference between the two groups was statistically considerable. Improvement in the physical condition of the campers reduced blood pressure, and there were noteworthy differences in all measured sports skills. The investigators discovered that increased duration of the camper’s stay had more significant improvement on BMI and fitness measures. Self-esteem also was influenced. Even though campers began the research with lower self-esteem level than the normal weight group, their self-esteem finally improved. Self-esteem in the comparison groups did not demonstrate any improvement.
The authors drew the conclusion that this weight-loss program was successful across a variety of health outcomes for at least a short time. Adolescent participants registered with in a six-week summer weight-loss and fitness camp lost on average 6 kg (13 lb 3 oz). It is unclear which factors contributed most to the success of the program. Even such factors as a positive social environment might have had a positive impact on weight loss. The research also did not reveal whether weight loss was sustained after leaving the camp. The authors of the study confirm that the controlled environment of a weight-loss camp may be most readily achieved in the summertime, and that such camps are resource intensive.
