Camp-based immersion treatment for obese, low socioeconomic status, multi-ethnic adolescents

Immersion treatment (IT) provided in a camp setting has been shown to promote short-term improvements in weight and health status in obese adolescents. However, evidence of IT's long-term efficacy and efficacy for multi-ethnic and lower socioeconomic status (SES) adolescents is limited.

This was a cohort study with a pre/post design and longitudinal follow-up. The intervention was a 19-day camp-based IT program comprising (1) a nutrition curriculum and ad-lib access to a nutritious diet, (2) several hours of physical activity daily, (3) group therapy, and (4) cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). This analysis included 52 low-SES adolescents that participated in 2009 and 2010. A subgroup of 33 campers and their families was offered follow-up monthly for 10 months. Primary outcome measures were change in weight-related parameters immediately postcamp and after 10 months of follow-up.

Campers had significant short-term improvements in mean waist circumference (mean [M], 2.6; standard deviation [SD], 3.2 cm), weight (M, 2.6; SD, 1.9 kg), BMI (M, 1.1; SD, 0.9 kg/m2), BMI z-score (M, 0.06; SD, 0.07), and percent overweight (M, 6.1; SD, 4.7). Campers offered follow-up had a modest increase in mean percent overweight (M, 2.0; SD, 8.4) during 10 months of follow-up. However, 33% experienced continuing decline in percent overweight during follow-up, and long-term follow-up was associated with significant overall (precamp vs. end of follow-up) improvements in percent overweight (M, 4.9; SD, 7.2).

Camp-based IT with CBT is a promising intervention for improving short- and long-term weight status of low-SES adolescents. Additional research is needed to increase long-term efficacy.