Zarrett Nicole, Sorensen Carl, Skiles Brittany
Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2013 May 20;10:63. doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-10-63.
Youth risk of obesity is high during the summer months. Summer day camps can be ideal settings for preventing obesity through reducing youth summer sedentary behaviors. However, with limited research on camp settings, the mechanisms by which these programs promote children's physical activity (PA) remains largely unknown. The current study was designed to take a first step in addressing this gap in research through systematic observations of 4 summer day camps.
Systematic observations of 4 summer day camps was conducted using the System for Observing Play and Leisure Activity in Youth (SOPLAY) and a social-motivational climate supplemental observation tool founded on Self-Determination Theory and previous research developed by the authors. Teams of two coders observed daily activities for four days across two-week periods at each camp. On 15 minute intervals throughout each day, camps were assessed on level of youth PA (e.g., sedentary, moderate, vigorous), five physical features (e.g., equipment), eight staff interactions (e.g., encourage PA), and six social climate components (e.g., inclusive game).
Across the sample, highly engaging games [F(1,329) = 17.68, p < .001], positive peer interactions [F(1,329) = 8.43, p < .01], and bullying [F(1,329) = 9.39, p < .01] were significantly related to higher PA participation rates, and clarity of rules [F(1,329) = 11.12, p < .001] was related to fewer youth participating in PA. Separate analyses for males and females indicated some sex differences with highly engaging games [F(1,329) = 23.10, p < .001] and bullying [F(1,329) = 10.00, p < .01] related to males' but not females' PA, and positive peer interactions related to only females' PA [F(1,329) = 9.58, p < .01]. Small, yet significant physical-environmental effects of temperature [F(1,328) = 1.54, p < .05] and equipment [F(1,328) = 4.34, p = .05] for girls also suggests that activities offered indoors (which was most common during high temperatures), and provision of equipment may also be important considerations for promoting girls' PA. Staff behaviors were minimally predictive of youth PA.
This is the first study to conduct systematic observations of the physical and social resources of summer day camps and contributes to our understanding of the strengths and needs of camps to effectively promote PA in both boys and girls during the summer months when risks for obesity are high.
青少年在夏季肥胖风险较高。夏季日间营地可能是通过减少青少年夏季久坐行为来预防肥胖的理想场所。然而，由于对营地环境的研究有限，这些项目促进儿童身体活动（PA）的机制在很大程度上仍不为人知。当前的研究旨在通过对4个夏季日间营地进行系统观察，在填补这一研究空白方面迈出第一步。
使用青少年游戏和休闲活动观察系统（SOPLAY）以及基于自我决定理论和作者先前研究开发的社会动机氛围补充观察工具，对4个夏季日间营地进行系统观察。每组两名编码员在每个营地的两周时间内，对每日活动进行为期四天的观察。在每天的15分钟间隔内，对营地青少年的身体活动水平（如久坐、中度、剧烈）、五个物理特征（如设备）、八种工作人员互动（如鼓励身体活动）和六个社会氛围组成部分（如包容性游戏）进行评估。
在整个样本中，高度吸引人的游戏[F(1,329) = 17.68，p <.001]、积极的同伴互动[F(1,329) = 8.43，p <.01]和欺凌行为[F(1,329) = 9.39，p <.01]与更高的身体活动参与率显著相关，而规则清晰度[F(1,329) = 11.12，p <.001]与参与身体活动的青少年较少相关。对男性和女性的单独分析表明存在一些性别差异，高度吸引人的游戏[F(1,329) = 23.10，p <.001]和欺凌行为[F(1,329) = 10.00，p <.01]与男性而非女性的身体活动相关，积极的同伴互动仅与女性的身体活动相关[F(1,329) = 9.58，p <.01]。温度[F(1,328) = 1.54，p <.05]和设备[F(1,328) = 4.34，p =.05]对女孩产生的虽小但显著的物理环境影响也表明，室内提供的活动（高温期间最常见）以及设备的提供可能也是促进女孩身体活动的重要考虑因素。工作人员的行为对青少年身体活动的预测作用极小。
这是第一项对夏季日间营地的物理和社会资源进行系统观察的研究，有助于我们了解营地在肥胖风险较高的夏季有效促进男孩和女孩身体活动的优势和需求。
