Teenagers who are overweight or obese face more challenges than their normal weight peers. The U.S. Office of the Surgeon General has identified several risk factors associated with weight gain, including a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits. To combat the problem, the Surgeon General recommends physical activity in a "safe environment." Camps for overweight teens provide safe environments where teens have fun, learn about healthy eating habits and participate in supervised weight-loss activities.
Size
According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Center, 39 percent of males and 35 percent of females aged 10 to 17 living in Florida are overweight or obese. The national average for the age group is 34 percent for males and 32 percent for females.
Significance
Overweight teenagers are at increased risk for a number of medical, psychological and social consequences. According to the U.S. Office of the Surgeon General, "overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults." They are more likely to develop high blood pressure, high cholesterol and to suffer from heart disease. They are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation notes that children and adolescents who are overweight are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and depression and more likely to be bullied and teased by their peers.
Purpose
Weight loss camps are designed to teach teens healthier eating and living habits as well as help them to lose weight. For example, the Pritikin Program states its campers lose between 5 to 10 pounds and lower their cholesterol and triglyceride levels during the two-week program. Other goals include helping teens develop a healthier body image and providing them a place to relax and have fun in a nonjudgmental atmosphere.
Florida Camps
MySummerCamps.com lists five camps for adolescent weight loss located in Florida. The Pritikin Family Program is located near Miami, Florida and serves individuals aged 7 to 17. At the camp, participants benefit from "hands-on" cooking classes, nutrition programs, field trips and fitness games. Camp Vanguard, located in Lake Wales, Florida, has numerous exercise and recreational facilities to encourage physical activity for campers ranging in age from 8 to 18. These facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, all-weather tennis courts, sports fields, weight and exercise room, and "state-of-the-art" gymnasium.
The other teen weight loss camps located in Florida are the Wellspring Florida program in St. Petersburg; The Antas Kung Fu Fitness Day Camp for youths aged 5 to 14 in Miami; and PysEmo Fitness, located in Ft. Lauderdale for campers aged 12 to 16.
Pricing
The cost of the weight loss camp is dependent on the specific camp, the length of the stay and the camp type. Camp Vanguard's two-week program is $2,850, while the six-week program is $7,590. Camp Vanguard also runs three-, four- and five-week camps. The Pritikin camp costs between $1,001 and $2, 000 per week. The Antas Kung Fu Fitness Day Camp has prices ranging from $76 to $200 per week. The PysEmo Fitness day camp is $651 to $1,000 a week. All prices are as of August 2010.
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