This pilot randomized controlled trial was designed to assess the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of randomizing children, ages 6-12 years from two low-income communities in Rhode Island, to attend a summer day camp (CAMP) or to experience summer as usual (SAU). Children randomized to CAMP attended a Boys and Girls Club summer day camp for 8-weeks in summer 2017 or 2018. As part of the consent process, children randomized to SAU agreed to experience an unstructured summer (i.e. not enroll in more than one week of summer camp, summer school or other structured summer programming). Primary feasibility outcomes included retention, engagement and completion of midsummer measures. Secondary outcomes, change in BMIz (a proxy for excess summer weight gain), physical activity engagement, sedentary behavior, and diet (energy intake and diet quality), were collected by blinded research staff at the end of the school year, midsummer and the end of the summer.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
94
Daily camp activities included sports, games, obstacle courses, swimming and boating, summer learning and arts and crafts. Lunch was served daily via the USDA's Summer Food Service Program.
The Miriam Hospital
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Retention
Number of participants who completed both baseline and end of summer assessments
Time frame: Baseline to end of summer; 8 weeks
Camp Attendance
Number of days children attended the Boys and Girls Club Camp
Time frame: 8 weeks
Participation in Summer Activities
Number of days children attended camp, summer school, or day care over the summer
Time frame: 8 weeks
Completion of study measures
Number of participants who completed three 24-hour diet recalls and/or 7-days of actigraphy at baseline and mid-summer assessment visits
Time frame: Baseline (May / June); Midsummer (mid-July)
Excess summer weight gain
Change in BMIz
Time frame: Baseline to end of summer; 8 weeks
Physical Activity
Change in minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) as measured by ActiGraph accelerometer
Time frame: 4-6 weeks (from baseline (end of May / beginning of June) to mid-summer (mid-July))
Sedentary Behavior
Change in percent time spent sedentary as measured by ActiGraph accelerometer
Time frame: 4-6 weeks (from baseline (end of May / beginning of June) to mid-summer (mid-July))
Energy Intake
Change in total energy intake as measured from 3 non-consecutive 24-hour diet recalls
Time frame: 4-6 weeks (from baseline (end of May / beginning of June) to mid-summer (mid-July))
Diet Quality
Change in Diet Quality as measured by the HEI-2015 from three non-consecutive 24-hour diet recalls
Time frame: 4-6 weeks (from baseline (end of May / beginning of June) to mid-summer (mid-July))
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