How much summer program time helps prevent kids' extra weight gain
Identifying the Ideal Dose of Structured Summer Programming for Mitigating Accelerated Summer BMI Gain
This project compares different amounts of structured summer program time to find what best helps school-age children avoid gaining extra weight over the summer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11295477 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a parent, you would be asked to let your 5–12-year-old attend or continue attending local structured summer day programs like the YMCA or Boys & Girls Club. Researchers will measure children's height and weight before and after summer, and track activity, sleep, and eating behaviors using surveys and possibly activity monitors. Children who attend different amounts of program time will be compared to identify a dose-response relationship between program exposure and summer BMI gain. The study uses existing community camps rather than creating new programs so results can be applied to familiar local settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are school-age children (about 5–12 years old) and their families who are willing to attend or already attend community summer day programs and allow basic measurements and surveys.
Not a fit: Children who are outside the 5–12 age range, who cannot attend community summer programs, or whose families do not agree to measurements and follow-up are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could show the right amount of summer program time to prevent excess weight gain in children and guide community programs and family choices.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show children have healthier behaviors and less BMI gain on days they attend summer camps, but identifying the specific dose-response of program time is a new goal.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weaver, Robert G — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Weaver, Robert G
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.