Identifying the Ideal Dose of Structured Summer Programming for Mitigating Accelerated Summer BMI Gain
University of South Carolina
Summary
Studies show that virtually all increases in children's (5-12yrs) BMI occur during the summer, no matter children's' weight status (i.e., normal weight, overweight, or obese) at summer entry. Recent preliminary studies show that children engage in healthier behaviors on days that they attend summer day camps, and that BMI gain does not accelerate for these children. The proposed randomized dose-response study will identify the dose-response relationship between amount of summer programming and summer BMI gain.
Description
Summer is a period of accelerated BMI gain for children (5-12yrs). Studies show that virtually all increases in BMI occur during the summer, no matter children's' weight status (i.e., normal weight, overweight, or obese) at summer entry. Our research team recently developed the Structured Days Hypothesis (SDH), which may explain accelerated summer BMI gain. The SDH posits that structure, defined as pre-planned, segmented, and adult-supervised compulsory environments, protect children against obesogenic behaviors and prevent excessive BMI gain. The SDH draws upon the 'filled-time perspective',…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 5–12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * k-4th grader in a partner school * eligible for free and reduced price lunch (a widely recognized indicator of * socioeconomic level and poverty status) * parent that indicates "yes' on an informed consent document for participation in the study Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of an intellectual disability, such as Down Syndrome, Fragile X, Fetal Alcohol * a physical disability, such as wheelchair use, that prevents the ability to ambulate without assistance. * Families who plan to enroll their children in a summer camp or relocate (i.e., move) during the 14-month peri…
Interventions
- BehavioralSummer day camp
The summer day camp programs are existing camps which take place at schools from which children will be recruited. The camps are not singularly focused, such as sport camps or academic only camps. Rather, the camps provide indoor and outdoor opportunities for children to be physically active each day, provide enrichment and academic programming, as well as provide breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
Location
- University of South CarolinaColumbia, South Carolina