A Residential Summer Camp Can Reduce Body Fat and Improve Health‐related Quality of Life in Obese Children

Abstract

In an earlier report, we showed that a 2-week, residential summer camp (Kamp K'aana) led to improved body weight, body mass index, body mass index z score, and self-esteem among obese children. To assess whether improvements in body weight and self-esteem translate into improvement in body fat and weight-related quality of life, we measured the changes in body fat by bioimpedance and quality of life by Impact of Weight on Quality of Life instrument on 42 multiethnic obese children who took part in our Kamp K'aana program. Significant reduction in body fat was detected with significant improvements in the weight-related quality of life scores.