In 2008, 20 percent of 6- to 11-year-olds and 18 percent of 12- to 19-year-olds were obese or overweight. The factors that contribute to excess weight in the United States --- from lack of physical educational funding in public schools to the decline in physical activity during free time --- have allowed kids to pack on pounds at least four-fold since the 1960s. A program might be an overweight child's only chance to learn about healthy eating and fitness habits.
Schools
A variety of different weight-loss schools have cropped up across the nation, offering residential boarding or day programs. Wellspring Academies is the most well-known residential weight loss school. The program offers research-based diet and activity curriculums that help kids change their behavior toward dieting and exercise so that their achievements will have a lasting, permanent impact. Wellspring Academies has campuses in Reedley, California and Brevard, North Carolina.
Camps
In 2006, MTV aired a documentary about an overnight camp that catered to overweight kids. Today, there are dozens of "fat camps" across the country offering kids and teens a one- to two-month respite from teasing peers and overly indulging, and sometimes enabling, parents. Fat camps promise kids that they will be physically active, learn how to eat healthy foods and lose weight. The kids and teens are taught healthy nutritional and fitness habits and are required to participate in team sports, water sports, adventures, cultural activities, indoor activities and more. Testimonials from past campers boast of loosing an enormous amount of weight at camp while making friends, gaining confidence and building self-esteem.
Specially Designed Programs
A child with one obese parent is three times more likely to be obese as an adult. A child with two obese parents is 10 times more likely to be obese later in life. Dietician-designed weight loss programs are an educational tool for parents as well as their children. According to Laura Kraemer, creator of Slimkids, nearly 100 percent of kids and teens that follow her program will lose some weight. Slimkids is a 1,500- to 1,800-calorie a day program that meets the unique nutritional requirements of growing kids. It is designed to produce a weekly 1 to 1 ½ lb. weight loss in kids under age 11 and a weekly 1 ½ to 2 lb. weight loss in kids 11 and older.
Clubs
Some community organizations including schools, hospitals and YMCAs offer after-school or summertime clubs for overweight kids. Wellspring Fit Clubs, part of Wellspring Academies, offers a comprehensive and intensive fitness and weight loss program for children that promotes lifestyle changes. One Houston-area club is a three-month program that meets after school. It teaches kids healthy eating habits rather than dieting. Each student is required to take 10,000 steps a day, which is tracked by wearing a pedometer. Twice weekly meetings help keep the participants on track by making particpants accountable for their achievements and errors. The program includes educational activities like trips to the grocery store to teach kids how to shop for healthy foods.
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