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Research Brief| Volume 46, ISSUE 2, P134-141, March 2014

Healthy Eating in Summer Day Camps: The Healthy Lunchbox Challenge

  • Falon Tilley
    Correspondence
    Address for correspondence: Falon Tilley, MS, Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208; Phone: (336) 504-9415; Fax: (803) 777-9007
    Affiliations
    Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
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  • Author Footnotes
    † At the time this research was conducted, Dr Weaver was a doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina.
    Robert G. Weaver
    Footnotes
    † At the time this research was conducted, Dr Weaver was a doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina.
    Affiliations
    Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
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  • Michael W. Beets
    Affiliations
    Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

    Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
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  • Gabrielle Turner-McGrievy
    Affiliations
    Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

    Department of Health Education Promotion and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
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  • Author Footnotes
    † At the time this research was conducted, Dr Weaver was a doctoral candidate at the University of South Carolina.
Published:January 21, 2014DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2013.11.008
Healthy Eating in Summer Day Camps: The Healthy Lunchbox Challenge
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      Abstract

      Objective

      To describe the development and evaluation of Healthy Lunchbox Challenge, a nutrition program targeting staff, parents, and children in summer day camps (SDCs).

      Methods

      A single-group, pre/post-assessment design was used during summer, 2011(baseline) and 2012 (intervention). Four community-based SDCs in South Carolina participated. Intervention components were applied over the 11-week SDC program (2012) and consisted of (1) parent/staff education on Building a Better Lunchbox, and (2) a child/staff incentive program. Child and staff foods and beverages were assessed via direct observation (1,977 children and 241 staff). Percentages of foods and beverages brought by children and staff during the intervention were compared with baseline measures using mixed-effects regression models.

      Results

      The percentage of children bringing fruits, vegetables, and water increased from 31% to 42% (P = .01), 5% to 16% (P = .01), and 47% to 60% (P = .01) from baseline to post-assessment. Staff fruits and vegetables increased from 30% to 47% (P = .03) and 9% to 22% (P = .03). A slight decrease was observed for staff water (64% to 58%); however, this was not statistically significant. Decreases in low-nutrient-dense foods and beverages were also observed.

      Conclusions and Implications

      The Healthy Lunchbox Challenge represents a low-cost, innovative way to influence the nutritional content of child and staff foods and beverages in SDCs.

      Key Words

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      Article info

      Publication history

      Published online: January 21, 2014

      Identification

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2013.11.008

      Copyright

      © 2014 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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