Diabetes Prevention and Control: Self-Management Education in Recreational Camps

Task Force Finding*

DSME in summer camps exposes children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes to intensive self-management education in a short-term recreational camp setting (usually 1 to 2 weeks). Summer camps, where education can be readily integrated into daily routines, have several advantages: medical treatment and compliance with educational programs can be optimized, food intake is controlled, physical activity can be pursued, and medical expertise is usually readily available.

On the basis of Community Guide rules of evidence, the Task Force concluded that evidence was insufficient to assess the effectiveness of this intervention, as there was only one qualifying study with design limitations.

*From the following publication:

Task Force on Community Preventive Services. Recommendations for healthcare system and self-management education interventions to reduce morbidity and mortality from diabetes. [PDF - 67KB] Am J Prev Med 2002;22(4S):10-4.

Review completed: March 2001