|
Camp Endeavor Announces Positive Long Term Results for Youth
Attending Four Week Camp Program
Press Release
Baraboo, WI
September 13, 2005
Weight Management Camp has another successful summer season.
(Baraboo, WI; September 13, 2005) Camp Endeavor, the Midwest’s first weight management camp has had another successful season empowering youth throughout the United States to maintain weight loss after camp in 2005.
Dan Dingmann, Co-director of Camp Endeavor says the follow-up of our 2004 campers, one year post camp, shows just how the camp model for weight loss can have a significant long term positive effect on weight for youth. The average weight loss for each camper in 2004 who stayed for four weeks was 15 pounds. But more importantly, as reported by parents through telephone contact, the outcomes, including sustained weight loss are substantial. Of the 31 campers, telephone contact was made with parents of eighteen 12 months post-camp. Eleven of the eighteen, reported that their child continued to maintain end-of-camp weight or lose more weight, and determination of their BMIs verify this, typically decreased by one unit. Three of the eighteen decreased their BMIs by 6,5 and 3 units 12 months post camp. Three reportedly gained all or most of their weight back, 12 months post camp. The remaining four described in narrative the impact Endeavor made on their children: N wears the same size (waist) jeans today (13 months post camp) and he’s grown 3 inches; E wrote a letter to her school principal requesting a longer lunch period; M’s mom stated that camp was “the best thing” in his life and a fourth mom reports that her daughter is off antidepressants.
Dingmann suggests that in measuring success, “it’s important to look beyond the numbers on the scale.” Parents affirm this and point to palpable improvements in self confidence and esteem due to changes both physical and emotional. Most notable, are gains in activity levels and an enthusiasm for remaining active, eating to a satisfied state (rather than an over-full state) and the validation that comes from being with peers, being accepted and having fun. Eleven of the eighteen report incorporating more physical activity into their daily lives by joining volleyball, soccer, softball, cheerleading and swimming groups. Dingmann hypothesizes that it is the immersion factor of a camp-based intervention that accounts for 30% of the Endeavor campers from 2004 sustaining these lifestyle habits of activity and eating to satiety 12 months after the end of camp.
To stem the rise in childhood obesity in the U.S.A. will not be easy; the summer camp model of intervention is but one approach, yet the success demonstrated by Camp Endeavor shows that it is a viable alternative for youth and families who struggle with weight.
|
