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Camp NERF: Feasibility, Acceptability, and Potential Efficacy of a Theory‐Based N utrition E ducation R ecreation and F itness Program Aimed at Preventing Unhealthy Weight Gain in Disadvantaged Children during Summer Months
Author(s) -
Hopkins Laura,
Rose Angela,
Gunther Carolyn
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.911.6
Subject(s) - attendance , disadvantaged , medicine , likert scale , physical therapy , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , physical activity , psychology , nursing , surgery , developmental psychology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Data indicate that school‐age children, particularly disadvantaged children, experience unhealthy gains in BMI at a rate nearly twice as fast during the summer months. Few efforts have been directed at implementing evidence‐based programming to prevent this negative trend. Camp NERF was a 6‐week, multi‐component (nutrition, physical activity, and mental health), theory‐based program for disadvantaged school‐age children grades K‐5 implemented in summer 2014. The design of this pilot was a group randomized control trial including two intervention and two control sites. Program feasibility was evaluated using daily attendance data. Children reported their acceptability of program on a 4‐point Likert scale. Potential efficacy of program was determined by assessing change in weight status (zBMI). 41 participants consented to the study. Approximately 54% (n=22) were female and 76% (n=31) were Black. Attendance rate was 67.5% among Camp NERF participants. 88% of the participants (n=17) reported to have 'liked' or 'liked a lot' the Camp NERF programming. Camp NERF participants demonstrated a greater negative mean change in zBMI compared to control participants, although this difference was not significant. We demonstrated high feasibility and acceptability of an innovative health behavior modification intervention that is coupled with the USDA Summer Food Service Program. A modest improvement in weight status was seen in Camp NERF participants compared to control.