1. The study examined the physical activity levels of obese children attending a residential weight-loss camp. 2. Results showed that obese children can exceed physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes per day when in a supportive physical activity environment. 3. Within the camp environment, there was variability in physical activity achieved between weight categories. Activity categories like sports and swimming achieved higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity than other activities. 4. The findings suggest that total physical activity is achieved through accumulation over multiple activity sessions rather than high intensity in single sessions. The right environment, activity choices, and skill development are keys to promoting physical activity in obese children.

1. Physical Activity Levels of Obese Children Attending a
Residential Weight-loss Camp
Andy Smith
Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity,
Exercise and Health
E-mail: a.j.w.smith@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
FUSE Physical Activity and Weight Management: The role of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of
excess weight , Durham, UK. Wednesday 30th September 2015

2. Research team
Professor Jim McKenna
Physical Activity and Health
Director of Studies
Professor Paul Gately
Exercise and Obesity
MoreLife Founder
Dr Andrew Manley
Principal Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology
PhD Supervisor

3. Physical activity levels
Cooper (2015) Objectively measured PA and Sed time in youth: the international children’s accelerometry database (ICAD)

4. Physical fitness- obese vs normal weight
Perform worse on activities requiring
propulsion or lifting of body weight
Perform better on hand-grip strength
Deforche et al (2003) Physical Fitness and Physical activity in Obese and Nonobese Flemish Youth
Conclusion: Limit weight-bearing activities at Intervention start- promote static strength activities

5. Obese children’s PA levels: a product of their
environment or a limit in their exercise capacity?

6. Building a positive PA environment
Sothern et al (1999) Motivating the Obese Child to Move: The Role of Structured Exercise in Pediatric Weight Management
Bar-Or (2000) Juvenile Obesity, Physical Activity, and Lifestyle changes
Similar Peers :
Fitness and Weight
Challenging
But Achievable
+VE Attention
+VE Role Models
Appropriate Skill Level
Intensity
Modality
Enhancing MasteryTotal EE not intensity
FUNOutdoors
Water Based

7. Light PA Moderate PA Vigorous PASedentary
In a positive PA environment, what can obese
children achieve

8. Study sample
Summer Residential
Weight-loss Camp

9. Measuring physical activity
Ellery, et al., (2013) Physical activity assessment tools for
use in overweight and obese children.
15 Secs 60 mins
Sedentary 0-25 0-100
Light 26-573 101-2292
Moderate 574-1002 2293-4008
Vigorous ≥1003 ≥4009
Cut Points
Evenson, et al.,(2008) Calibration of two objective
measures of physical activity for children.
● GT3X/GT3X+
● 6 Days
● Right Hip
● 15 Second EPOCH
Inclusion Criteria
Valid Day ≥ 600 mins per day
Non Wear Period ≥ 60mins
Number of valid days ≥ 3

10. Physical activity design elements
Gately P (2003) Cooke CB. The use of a residential summer camp programme as an intervention for the treatment of obese and
overweight children. A description of the methods used.

11. A typical camp day

12. Total
>91st
(N=36)
Overweight
91st-98th
(N=9)
Clinically Obese
98th-99.6th
(N=10)
Very-Severe
Obese >99.6th
(N=17)
Age 10-17 years 10-17 years 10-17 years 10-17 years
Height (m) 1.58±0.1 1.52±0.08 1.57±0.10 1.61±0.10
Weight (kg) 74±23.17 53.42±10.59 65.31±12.85 90.01±21.62
BMI 29.26±6.54 22.99±2.25 26.35±2.09 34.30±5.86
BMI_SDS 2.64±0.71 1.73±0.19 2.4±0.14 3.26±0.38
Waist (cm) 90.33±13.15 77±5.09 85±4.6 100.53±11.19
2 mile run (mins) 35.1±7.1 33.6±7.72 32.87±7.38 37.21±6.39

13. Average day MVPA by weight category

14. Daily MVPA by weight category

15. MVPA achieved in each activity category

16. MVPA achieved in each activity category

17. Summary
1. Obese Children can exceed the physical activity
guidelines of 60 minutes per day given the right
environment.
2. Within a supportive PA environment there is a large
degree of variability in the physical activity achieved
3. Activity categories achieve differing levels of MVPA

18. 4. Average MVPA per session= A typical MVPA in PE class
suggesting total MVPA is due to accumulation of many
sessions not high activity in one session
18 mins
12 mins
8 mins
38 mins

19. Great…..in practice what does it mean?
The environment is key
Activity choice matters
We need to understand this further. Do the
outlined characteristics lead to positive PA
Experience- what are priorities.
Skill development may not align with the
most physically activity sessions- Know
your outcome.
One off PA sessions
are unlikely to achieve
the guidelines
Look at PA sessions across a range of
programs, Investigate amount of PA and
PA experience.

20. Childhood- Obesity Prevalence
Health Survery for England (2013) http://www.worldobesity.org/aboutobesity/resources/obesity-data-portal/