Are Fat Camps the Answer?
Fat camps are places where overweight kids go to shed pounds fast - usually over the course of a month or two. The camps work, to a degree. Most campers lose weight, but at what cost? Kids learn to associate weight loss and exercise with suffering and embarrassment rather than success and confidence. And they usually regain the weight once they return to the "real world" because fat camps' restrictive diet and excessive exercise regime isn't sustainable at home.
Teen Diets Don't Work
There are a myriad of studies out there that have found that most diets don't work. On average, 95% of people (kids and adults) who use a special diet to try and lose weight end up regaining not only the weight they lost but also several additional pounds. Fit camps and weight loss camps know this, which is why they teach kids about good nutrition and the benefit of physical activity, as opposed to just trying to get them to lose weight. A healthy lifestyle leads to weight loss, but the shed pounds are less likely to return because key habits have been changed.
Weight Loss Camps that Work
Unlike fat camp or traditional teen diet camp, weight loss camps employ a nutritionist and culinary instructor that work with the kids to help them understand the importance of eating healthy and how they can enjoy good food as much as they've enjoyed junk food. Personal trainers are on staff as well, helping the kids develop exercise plans based on their fitness levels and interests. In addition, the most effective of these weight loss programs have trained counselors that meet with the kids to help them identify any emotional or psychological issues that are at the root of their weight problems. It's a holistic approach that seeks to improve the health of mind, body, and spirit.
If you're concerned about your weight or the health of a loved one, a fat camp may offer a quick fix but is not likely to provide a long-term solution. Instead, consider a weight loss camp where children learn how to make healthier choices about food and exercise. A weight loss camp will help your child change the habits that led to his weight issues, and will also - through fun physical activities and time spent with new friends - help him improve his self-esteem and overall body image.
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More information for parents of overweight children
- What Is Obesity?
As concerns about childhood weight rates continue to mount, many parents are beginning to worry about their children's health. How can a parent know if his or her child is obese? Where's the line between a child who is labeled overweight and one who is classified as obese?
- Does Your Child Have Diabetes?
Does your child have diabetes? Most parents, even those who are doctors or nurses, do not recognize symptoms of diabetes in their children. Many also mistakenly believe that diabetes is a disease of middle age -- but this is no longer true.
- The Benefits of All-Girls Weight Loss Camps
Because girls face unique struggles with weight and body image, a specially designed summer weight loss camp for girls may be the best way to make lasting emotional and lifestyle changes.
- How to Help Your Child Lose Weight
Over the past few decades, many pediatricians and nutritionists have advised parents to allow their children to eat what they want, when they want it, and in whatever amounts they want.
- Community-Based Fit Clubs Help Kids Lose Weight, Improve Fitness
Wellspring Fit Clubs pair Wellspring experts with public or corporate partners to bring an effective fitness and weight loss program to young people in the communities where they live and attend school.
- To the Heart of the Matter: The Experts Weigh in on the Causes of Childhood Obesity
What's behind the childhood obesity epidemic? The explosion of fast food chains, laziness, genetics, food addiction? There is no simple answer. The only fact the experts can agree on is that obesity is a complex public health issue that is caused by a confluence of physiological, emotional, cultural, and behavioral factors.
- FDA Warning: Weight Loss Pills Pose 'Great Risk to Public Health'
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to avoid 28 weight loss products because they may contain "undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers' health at risk." more...
- Keeping Kids Active During the Winter
With a little creativity and planning, the winter months can be just as active as any other time of the year. more...
- Getting Physical
Besides fitting into junior-size clothes, Chloe can do something else she never imagined before she started at Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas last August. She can play sports - and keep up with teammates. Football, basketball, she's got game. more...
- Why So Much Water?
The human body is more than 50 percent water - and in some instances, this percentage rises as high as 75 percent. So it stands to reason that water is an essential part of the human diet. But how much water do we really need to consume each day? more...
- Rising Obesity Rates Damaging Nation's Health
Certain influences appear to have greater impact than others when it comes to determining the overall quality of a state's health. Two of the most detrimental indicators are smoking and obesity. more...
- Yoga: Uniting Mind, Body, and Spirit for Weight Loss
Yoga may not be the exercise that burns the most calories, but studies have repeatedly linked yoga to weight loss. Why? Because it awakens the connection between mind, body, and spirit. more...
- About BMI for Children and Teens
Most health care professionals use body mass index (BMI) to screen for overweight and obesity in children and teenagers. Though BMI is not a diagnostic tool and doesn't measure actual body fat, the index has been determined to have a strong correlation to overweight and obesity. more...
- How to Help Your Children Eat Healthy at Home, in School
Schools play an important role in determining whether our children are actually going to stick to a healthy eating plan. But as a parent, you are ultimately responsible for the nutrition decisions your child makes - and there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that your child eats healthy at home and in school. more...
- What Is Obesity?
As concerns about childhood weight rates continue to mount, many parents are beginning to worry about their children's health. How can a parent know if her child is obese? Where's the line between a child who is labeled overweight and one who is classified as obese? more...
- Does Your Child Have Diabetes?
Does your child have diabetes? Most parents, even ones who are doctors or nurses, do not recognize symptoms of diabetes in their children. Many also mistakenly believe that diabetes is a disease of middle age -- but this is no longer true. more...
- The Benefits of All-Girls Weight Loss Camps
Because girls face unique struggles with weight and body image, a specially designed summer weight loss camp for girls may be the best way to make lasting emotional and lifestyle changes. more...
- How to Help Your Child Lose Weight
Over the past few decades, many pediatricians and nutritionists have advised parents to allow their children to eat what they want, when they want it, and in whatever amounts they want. more...
- Community-Based Fit Clubs Help Kids Lose Weight, Improve Fitness
Wellspring Fit Clubs pair Wellspring experts with public or corporate partners to bring an effective fitness and weight loss program to young people in the communities where they live and attend school. more...
- To the Heart of the Matter: The Experts Weigh in on the Causes of Childhood Obesity
What's behind the childhood obesity epidemic? The explosion of fast food chains, laziness, genetics, food addiction? There is no simple answer. The only fact the experts can agree on is that obesity is a complex public health issue that is caused by a confluence of physiological, emotional, cultural, and behavioral factors. more...
- FDA Warning: Weight Loss Pills Pose 'Great Risk to Public Health'
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is advising consumers to avoid 28 weight loss products because they may contain "undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients that may put consumers' health at risk." more...
- Keeping Kids Active During the Winter
With a little creativity and planning, the winter months can be just as active as any other time of the year. more...
- Getting Physical
Besides fitting into junior-size clothes, Chloe can do something else she never imagined before she started at Wellspring Academy of the Carolinas last August. She can play sports - and keep up with teammates. Football, basketball, she's got game. more...
- Why So Much Water?
The human body is more than 50 percent water - and in some instances, this percentage rises as high as 75 percent. So it stands to reason that water is an essential part of the human diet. But how much water do we really need to consume each day? more...
- Rising Obesity Rates Damaging Nation's Health
Certain influences appear to have greater impact than others when it comes to determining the overall quality of a state's health. Two of the most detrimental indicators are smoking and obesity. more...
- Yoga: Uniting Mind, Body, and Spirit for Weight Loss
Yoga may not be the exercise that burns the most calories, but studies have repeatedly linked yoga to weight loss. Why? Because it awakens the connection between mind, body, and spirit. more...
- About BMI for Children and Teens
Most health care professionals use body mass index (BMI) to screen for overweight and obesity in children and teenagers. Though BMI is not a diagnostic tool and doesn't measure actual body fat, the index has been determined to have a strong correlation to overweight and obesity. more...
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