An innovative summer camp program improves weight and self-esteem in obese children.

To determine the potential benefits of a residential summer camp to treat childhood obesity, 21 obese, multiethnic children (aged 11.4 ± ) 1.4 years; body mass index [BMI] percentile 98.5 ± 1.4; BMI z score 2.30 ± 0.33) from a diverse socioeconomic background were enrolled in a 2-week summer camp program. Significant improvements (P < 0.04) were observed in self-esteem (+0.27 ± 0.33 point), body weight (-3.7 ± 1.2 kg), BMI (-1.60 ± 0.48 kg/m 2 ), BMI z score (-0.12 ± 0.06), number of curl ups (+10.9 ± 21.5), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (-10.8 ± 13.4 and -9.4 ± 5.5 mmHg, respectively), and heart rate (-8.2 ± 12.7 bpm).