Using the RE-AIM framework to evaluate a community-based summer camp for children with obesity: a prospective...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Pediatric Health
• Lifestyle Interventions

Background:

• Rising childhood overweight and obesity rates necessitate effective lifestyle interventions.
• The Children's Health and Activity Modification Program (C.H.A.M.P.) is a novel, family-focused intervention designed for children with obesity.
• Evaluation using the RE-AIM framework is crucial for community-based health programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) of the C.H.A.M.P. program.
• To assess the feasibility and impact of a family-focused lifestyle intervention for pediatric obesity.
• To provide data for designing and implementing future community-based pediatric obesity programs.

Main Methods:

• A two-year, single-centre, single cohort interventional feasibility study.
• Involved children with obesity and their families in a 4-week group-based lifestyle intervention.
• Measured outcomes pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.

Main Results:

• High participant representativeness (reach).
• Significant improvements in BMI-z, body fat percentage, lean mass percentage, and quality of life (effectiveness/maintenance).
• Established and maintained community partnerships (adoption/setting maintenance) and demonstrated cost-effectiveness (implementation).

Conclusions:

• C.H.A.M.P. demonstrates potential as an effective childhood obesity intervention based on RE-AIM metrics.
• Findings offer valuable insights for researchers and practitioners developing community-based pediatric obesity programs.
• The program's success in improving health outcomes and quality of life supports its continued development and implementation.