Participation in structured programming may prevent unhealthy weight gain during the summer in school-aged children from low-income neighbourhoods: feasibility, fidelity and preliminary efficacy findings from the Camp NERF study.

Objective: Evaluate the feasibility, fidelity and preliminary efficacy of Camp NERF to prevent unhealthy weight gain and promote healthy behaviours in children during the summer.Design: Camp NERF was an 8-week, multicomponent, theory-based programme coupled with the US Department of Agriculture's Su...

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Published in:Public Health Nutrition Vol. 22; no. 6; pp. 1100 - 1113
Main Authors: Hopkins, Laura C, Holloman, Christopher, Melnyk, Bernadette, Fristad, Mary, Goodway, Jacqueline D, Kennel, Julie A, Eneli, Ihuoma, Gunther, Carolyn
Format: research Journal Article
Published: Cambridge University Press Apr2019
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Apr2019
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      pub: Cambridge University Press
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        atl: Participation in structured programming may prevent unhealthy weight gain during the summer in school-aged children from low-income neighbourhoods: feasibility, fidelity and preliminary efficacy findings from the Camp NERF study.
      aug:
        au:
          Hopkins, Laura C
          Holloman, Christopher
          Melnyk, Bernadette
          Fristad, Mary
          Goodway, Jacqueline D
          Kennel, Julie A
          Eneli, Ihuoma
          Gunther, Carolyn
        affil: Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, 313 Campbell Hall, 1787 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
      sug:
        subj:
          Pediatric Obesity Prevention and Control
          Poverty
          Program Evaluation Methods
          Urban Population
          Health Promotion Methods
          Weight Gain
          Child, Preschool
          Female
          Pilot Studies
          Child
          Seasons
          Ohio
          Human
          Health Behavior
          Male
          Exercise
          Validation Studies
          Comparative Studies
          Evaluation Research
          Multicenter Studies
          Caregiver Strain Index
          Clinical Assessment Tools
          Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale
          Child, Preschool: 2-5 years
          Child: 6-12 years
          Female
          Male
      ab: Objective: Evaluate the feasibility, fidelity and preliminary efficacy of Camp NERF to prevent unhealthy weight gain and promote healthy behaviours in children during the summer.Design: Camp NERF was an 8-week, multicomponent, theory-based programme coupled with the US Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program. Twelve eligible elementary-school sites were randomized to one of three treatment groups: (i) Active Control (non-nutrition, -physical activity (PA), -mental health); (ii) Standard Care (nutrition and PA); or (iii) Enhanced Care (nutrition and PA, plus cognitive behavioural techniques) programming. Efficacy was determined by assessing mean change by group in child outcomes using hierarchical linear regression models.Setting: Low-income, urban neighbourhoods in Columbus, OH, USA.ParticipantsEconomically disadvantaged, racial minority children of elementary school age (kindergarten-5th grade).Results: Eighty-seven child-caregiver dyads consented; eighty-one completed pre- and post-intervention assessments resulting in a 93·10 % retention rate. Delivery of the intended lesson occurred 79-90 % of the time. Of the children, 56·98 % (n 49) were female; 89·53 % (n 77) were Black. Overall mean change in BMI Z-score from baseline to post-intervention was -0·03 (se 0·05); change in BMI Z-score did not differ significantly between treatment group. Change in nutrition, PA, mental health or psychosocial outcomes did not differ between groups.Conclusions: Results from the current study demonstrate feasibility and fidelity, yet no intervention effect of Camp NERF. Instead, findings suggest that participation in structured programming of any type (health behaviour-related or not) may prevent unhealthy summer weight gain. Additional studies are needed to confirm findings. Results have implications for child nutrition policy addressing the issue of summer health.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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