A couple of months ago there was a study released on the average weight lost in a day camp for inner city kids that are morbidly obese over a 6 week period. There were 27 children who participated in this experiment and they were in the range of 14 years old with 55% of them being female and 59% being African American. These children had an average weight of 223 pounds +/- 53 pounds prior to the 6-week program. This study was set up because there are limited resources available in inner-city schools that other schools might have. To help with the cost effectiveness of this program, the parents of the children who were involved in the study were informed to prepare healthy lunches and then once at camp, the children were involved in classes that helped reinforce the benefits of a nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Along with these classes, the children were involved in 3 hours of exercise each day for the entire 6 weeks.
In the end, the children attended about 4 weeks of the camp and lost about 5-10 pounds. Even those these results don't seem to be that good, this program could potentially help reduce the likelihood of morbidly obese children in inner-city schools.
I think this type of program would be a wonderful idea because just because a school district doesn't have the resources to provide for the children doesn't mean nothing can be done. Something can always be done, and by doing this weight loss program that is a step in the right direction in preventing childhood obesity.
I agree with you that this seems to be an effective program for helping those who are obese. Not only are the participants exercising, but they are also being taught why they should eat right and lead a healthy lifestyle. Not only will it help them, it will also help those who are not obese by lowering the cost of healthcare. However, I do think that instead of holding camps, schools should reinstate mandatory physical education classes which in recent years seem to have fallen out of favor.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see that some schools have programs like these. I agree that being taught to eat correctly and exercise is important, but I also agree with techwriter314: schools should require physical activity as part of every school year, if only for a thirty minute recess.
ReplyDeleteI am curious as to whether inner city children or rural children have more issues with obesity. Also, are there any programs for parents? Are most parents of obese children obese, too?
I have to agree with both the comments of techwriter314 and R, that the physical education component of education should be mandatory.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I find interesting is the link between socio-economoic class and the rates of obesity, particularly in the more serious, morbid cases. I think it is a great initiative to educate these kids and help get them moving, but in many cases they can only do so much to create change. The parents need to be educated just as much if not more than the students. The parents are the ones who are buying food to serve at home. In addition, the lunches provided at schools are often horrible for the students. If we are going to be providing free lunches to students who are in a touch socio-economic class status, isn't it only fair that they are provided with delicious and nutritous lunch, not greasy nutrition-devoid pizza and nachos?