Camp NERF (Nutrition Education Recreation and Fitness): A Summer Intervention Designed to Empower Disadvantaged Children to Make Healthy Dietary and Physical Activity Choices and Prevent Unhealthy Weight Gain
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Abstract
Childhood obesity negatively affects the physical and mental health of the child, and also academic success. Many school-age children experience unhealthy weight gain during the summer. There is a need for evidence-based nutrition and physical activity programs to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and resources to prevent unhealthy weight gain during this time.
Description
IMPACT. 1: Evaluate efficacy of Camp NERF on improvements in primary child outcomes related to 1) nutrition (fruits and vegetables, foods high in solid fats and added sugars), 2) physical activity (structured and unstructured physical activity, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behaviors, screen time), and 3) weight status (BMI percentile; z-score) -- 2. Evaluate efficacy of Camp NERF on improvements in secondary child outcomes related to 1) mental health (self-concept, mood, and behavior) and 2) learning (motivation to learn) -- 3. Evaluate efficacy of Camp NERF on improvements in parent self-efficacy for establishing healthy family nutrition and physical activity practices (nutrition: regular family mealtime; physical activity: structured and unstructured physical activity, sedentary behaviors, screen time).
OSU PARTNERS: College of Education and Human Ecology: Dept of Human Sciences (Ana' Brown, MS student, Angela Rose, PhD Student, Julie Kennel, Director, Jacqueline Goodway, Associate Professor, Keeley Pratt, Assistant Professor, Ana Claudia Zubieta, Director); Dept of Teaching & Learning (Laura Justice, Professor); College of Nursing (Bernadette Melnyk. Dean and Professor); College of Medicine, Dept of Psychiatry (Mary Fristad, Professor); Nationwide Children's Hospital (Ihuoma Eneli, Professor)
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Children's Hunger Alliance
PRIMARY CONTACT: Carolyn Gunther (gunther.22@osu.edu)