Obesity in Canadian children can no longer be ignored, which is why
camps need to take a closer look at the food and drinks they serve in
order to be part of the solution, not the problem.
Carly Steiger used to work at a camp where greasy pizza dipped in ranch
sauce was a lunch staple. Now that she works for one committed to
healthy living and eating, the camp coordinator can attest to the
importance diet plays in the lives of campers.
"I've noticed a big difference between the campers," says Steiger, who works at Long Lake Junior Forest Warden Camp in Athabasca, Alta. "They don't get as dehydrated, they don't get as tired and they don't get as homesick because when they have energy, they have fun."
Steiger's anecdotal observations provide insight into the pivotal role nutrition at camp can play in combating the scourge of childhood obesity.
Indeed, couch potato kids with bulging bellies are becoming an all too familiar sight.
Research from the Dietitians of Canada indicates obesity levels among children aged seven to 13 has tripled over the last two decades and over one-third of children between the ages of two and 11 are overweight.
"Overweight and obesity put children at risk for hypertension, diabetes, asthma...and these children have significantly lower health-related quality of life compared to healthy weight children," states the Dietitians of Canada's research report.
There is evidence that suggests many camps have not been doing their part to buck the fatty trend. In 2004, a survey conducted by a registered dietitian found that only three of the menus from 15 camps across Canada adhered to Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.
"Camp menus tend to offer quite a lot of sugar, quite a lot of fat and they can sometimes be deficient in providing nutrients that kids need," says Lorraine Anderson, a Mississauga, Ont.-based registered dietitian who consults camps on developing healthy menus. "Camps need to be sure their menus are meeting general recommendations and guidelines from Canada's Food Guide and it's a really good idea for camps to have their menus reviewed by a registered dietitian."
Anderson notes Canada's Food Guide advocates a daily intake of five to 12 servings of grain products with an emphasis on whole grains; five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables; two to four servings of milk products; and two to three servings of meat and alternatives.
At Long Lake, a typical breakfast offers campers a choice between yogurt, muffins, fresh fruit platters, cereals, eggs and meats. Snacks regularly include such tasty, yet healthy, treats as vegetable and fruit platters, oatmeal raisin cookies and homemade rice crispy squares. And a proper diet would be incomplete without water and plenty of it, which is why the staff at Long Lake ensures campers refill their water bottles soon after they are empty.
For the occasional sweet treat, rather than pouring glasses of sugar-filled powder drinks, like Kool-Aid, home made lemonade is a healthier option; and instead of the ubiquitous macaroni and cheese on cookouts, Long Lake campers enjoy pita pizzas and zesty fruits.
"The key is variety for kids and for our staff," says Steiger. "We offer a lot of choice and our cooks make everything from scratch."
From speaking to food experts, there are definitely many ways to cascade the health message across camp. Displaying the food pyramid in the dining hall, presenting an award to the cabin with the most active campers and not using a candy bar as a reward for good behaviour are just some of the suggestions offered by Karla Henderson, a professor of recreation, parks and tourism at North Carolina State University.
"One of the big things is that counsellors and camp staff can be role models," says Henderson, who recently presented a seminar, entitled A Camp's Role in Addressing Childhood Obesity, at the American Camping Association's national conference in Orlando, Fla. "If a staff member is driving a golf cart instead of walking, there's a message that's being sent to campers."
At Long Lake, counsellors not only model good behaviours, they take a hands-on approach to ensuring kids put the positive message into practice.
"We try and teach kids that as they go through the line-up for food, to make sure they eat something from each of the four food groups," says Steiger. "We're there as counsellors to tell them they should take certain foods and we're consistent with that."
Long Lake has also incorporated healthy living into their programming as every camper is put through a healthy living session, which focuses on the importance of water and getting enough energy through eating the proper foods to participate in the activities they desire. "The kids come away with an understanding of why it's so important to have balanced meals," adds Steiger.
While food is imperative in the battle against obesity, exercise is equally essential, which is why Henderson strongly believes camps are ideal environments for physical activity.
"If we en-courage kids to find more ways to be active at camp, they'll have fun doing that and if they have fun at camp, they might carry that over at home," she says.
During her ACA seminar, Henderson emphasized the importance of physical activity in the camper mindset. "The focus should always be on fun and gaining a healthier lifestyle, rather than on weight loss or conforming to a socially imposed ideal," advises her seminar handout.
Henderson suggests camps encourage such fun activities as giving campers pedometers so they can track how far they travel, playing active games like tossing a Frisbee while kids are waiting in line to eat, and for young campers in particular, self-monitoring physical activities so they can see how active they are and set personal goals.
While camp may only last two months of the year for some, the lessons learned about healthy eating and exercise have the potential to stay with them for life.
"Part of the mandate of camps is to teach kids to make good choices in life," says Anderson. "When you put them in a camp environment where their peers are enjoying healthy foods, they're more than likely to make healthy choices too."
Adam Segal is a freelance writer based in Thornhill, Ont.
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