TAMIU Offers Summer Weight Control Camp for Adolescents

Are you considering healthful, activity-packed camps for your adolescent this summer?

If yes, Texas A&M International University’s College of Education will offer a Summer Weight Control Camp for 10 to 15 year olds in June and July to teach students about the importance of a healthier diet and lifestyle.

Dr. Kyung-Shin Park, TAMIU assistant professor of education and camp conductor, said students will participate in a variety of exercises including Tae Kwon Do and good nutrition lectures while eating healthy snacks.

Camp Session I will be June 7 – July 2 and Session II will be July 5- 30. The camp will be held 1:30 – 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Registration will be May 17-24, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. at the Student Center Rotunda.

“This camp is designed to manage campers’ body weight and to help make lifestyle changes to stay healthy,” Dr. Park said, “Another goal is to change campers’ exercise and diet patterns and further enhance their self-esteem.”

With parental approval, and at a reduced price, campers also have the option to contribute to Dr. Park’s research titled, “Effects of Lifestyle Interventions on Body Composition, Inflammatory Cytokines and Academic Performance.”

“The purpose of the study is to see the effects of lifestyle intervention on body shape and markers of chronic disease and to see how changes in body shape and self-esteem affect academic achievement,” Dr. Park said.

Those who choose to participate in the research will have 5 ml. of blood sample drawn three times, before and after the camp and one year following the summer camp to see changes in cholesterol, glucose, inflammatory cytokines and ceramide, which are known to be contributors of chronic diseases. Also, TAKS results as well as school grades in physical education, mathematics, reading, science for years 2010 and 2011 will be obtained from school districts with parental consent, Park said.

Cost per camp session is $400 for regular campers and $350 for research participants. Cost for attending both sessions is $700 for regular campers and $600 for research participants. A gift certificate of $80 will be provided to research participants, Park said.

Park said participation in the research is optional.

“The ultimate goal of the camp is for campers to enjoy a variety of physical activities while learning about the importance of a healthier diet and lifestyle,” Park said.

For more information about the camp, research participation option and registration, visit tamiu.edu/coedu/fitnesscamp or contact Dr. Kyung-Shin Park, assistant professor of education, at 326.2685 or 326.2695.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu