As the summer months approach, parents often worry about how to keep their children active and healthy while school is out. Summer day camps (SDC) offer an ideal solution by providing structured activities that promote physical fitness and healthy eating. However, these camps can be too expensive for many families, particularly those with low incomes. Recognizing this challenge, a recent study examined the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of offering free access to SDCs for disadvantaged children, aiming to prevent the common trend of summer weight gain.
Study Framework and Approach
A randomized trial involved 422 children from a low-income school district in South Carolina between 2021 and 2023. The participants were divided into two groups: one experiencing free SDC for 8-10 weeks and the other having a regular summer experience. Researchers focused on the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), calculated by comparing the cost per child for the SDC and the difference in Body Mass Index Z-scores (zBMI) between the two groups. Calculations explored various doses of camp attendance while applying nonparametric bootstrapping for more accurate zBMI results aligned with SDC expenses nationwide.
Key Outcomes and Insights
Results revealed that the SDC program prevented an average zBMI gain of 0.0917 compared to the control, with a cost of $1,307 per child and an ICER of $1,463 per 0.1 zBMI averted. The most beneficial outcome in terms of cost-effectiveness came from children attending camp five days a week. The sensitivity assessments indicated that bootstrapped ICERs averaged $2,187 per 0.1 zBMI prevented, with 80% of instances costing less than $3,500 per 0.1 zBMI averted.
Several insights emerged from the study:
- Structured summer programs are crucial for weight management in children.
- Increasing SDC attendance frequency enhances cost benefits.
- Cost thresholds are vital for influencing policy support for such interventions.
The findings suggest policymakers have an opportunity to cost-effectively support SDCs, potentially lessening childhood obesity during summer. The data underlines the importance of governmental and community investment in affordable, accessible summer programs. Understanding and leveraging the cost-effectiveness of these initiatives could foster broader adaptation, particularly in communities where economic barriers limit access to structured summer options. For families, this translates to more opportunities for their children to remain active and healthy, setting them on a path to adulthood with lower health risks. Consequently, such initiatives can fundamentally alter public health strategies in combating childhood obesity nationwide, offering a sustainable model for other regions to emulate.
This article has been prepared with the assistance of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more details, please refer to our Terms and Conditions. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author.
