Overweight teen girls face struggles the average teen never experiences. The social challenges caused by excess weight are just as difficult as the potential health problems they face. Girls in Florida have the added stress of living in a climate where swimsuits, shorts and revealing tank tops are part of everyone's wardrobe. This may motivate overweight girls to work on getting in shape, but additional support and education are sometimes needed to acheive success. Adolescent girls living in Florida have a variety of options when it comes to weight-loss programs.
Summer Fun and Weight Loss
The Wellspring Program is a summer camp that is located on the Gulf Coast of St. Petersburg. Campers age 11 to 18 enjoy group sports like football, soccer or basketball, as well as individual activities like swimming, biking and weight training. Four-, six- and eight-week sessions are offered. The program combines behavioral changes with education and fun to help campers achieve their goals.
Physician-Supervised Program
Kinetic Weight Loss offers participants physician-supervised weight-loss management. Participants begin the program with a complete medical exam, including a blood screening and blood pressure test. This helps determine the best weight-loss method for each person. Participants receive supplements and a welcome manual, as well as information about nutrition seminars they can attend. Follow-up visits include additional supplements and vital signs assessments. Kinetic Weight Loss has two Jacksonville area locations.
A Family Approach
The Pritikin Longevity Center and Spa began The Family Program in 2002. This enabled girls age 8 to 17 to enroll in a Pritikin weight-loss program designed for their specific needs. This is a long-term solution for weight loss and helps teens and their families learn healthy lifestyle habits. Parents often attend adult Pritikin sessions while their daughters participate in the adolescent program. In addition to learning healthy habits, girls can play tennis or golf, and participate in healthy cooking classes.
A Holistic Approach
For many girls, the best solution for lasting weight loss is learning to care for their bodies. The Total Wellness Center offers a program that focuses on whole body health. Participants receive medical assessments which help determine their specific nutritional needs. Methods like detoxification, cleansing and acupuncture are all used to achieve physical balance. Participants in the Total Wellness Program learn the connection between their behavior and their bodies.
A Last Resort
If a teen girl has been unsuccessful with previous weight-loss efforts, she may opt for weight-loss surgery. The Jacksonville Weight Loss Center performed their first adolescent LAP-BAND surgery in 2005 and leads the nation in the procedure for adolescents. Their youngest patient was 12 years old. In addition to surgery, the center features The Junior Weigh Program, a conservative weight-loss program with medical supervision. This 24-week program helps participant change their lifestyles and lose weight gradually.
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