With thousands of video games to chose from and thousands of channels on television, it's no wonder child obesity is on the rise. Summer weight loss camps provide an opportunity for teens to get in shape. Once stigmatized as "fat camps" these programs are gaining popularity with parents and teens alike as more people are exploring them with an open mind.
About
Traditional weight loss camps offer sports and activities, exercise classes, and classes on nutrition and healthy food choices, according to Cynthia Vega, director of National Camp Association. Many camps provide teens with psychological counseling sessions to help kids understand why they overeat. More so than just keeping the teens active, these weight loss camps help to development your child's self-esteem.
Benefits/Limitations
Attending a weight loss camp can help your child lose weight, gain muscle definition, have higher self-esteem and self-awareness, gain knowledge about their diet, and improve their attitude and motivation. Also, they will meet new friends with similar goals and have a sense of belonging. The activities offered at these camps can help your child develop a new hobby or interest. Summer weight loss camps are not the end all solution to your child's weight problems. It took more than just a summer to put the weight on so chances are the pounds are not going to melt off in a few short weeks. Family support is also key to a child's success. Be sure to reinforce the good diet and exercise habits your son or daughter learned at the camp when he returns home.
Options
Several types of weight loss camps are available. There are day camps in which kids go to during the day to receive instruction ad then go home at night. At short stay camps, kids attend for a few days or a week. This is best for a child who just needs a push in the right direction toward a healthy lifestyle. Longer stays are best for children who have much weight to lose, or who have emotional issues they need to work on. Along with the different length of stays, there are camps that specialize in children with diabetes and learning disabilities. Some camps offer kosher or vegetarian diets as well.
Results
According to a study by Ohio University, summer weight loss camps should focus on self-efficacy. The study collected its data from a group of camp goers at Camp Shane in New York and found that short periods at the summer weight loss camp were better for creating long-term success and longer periods were better for creating short-term success. This surprising evidence suggests that a long stay at a camp is prescriptive and may produce results, but does not necessarily give your child the tools to stay in shape after camp. Shorter camps may focus on giving the child the basics and having them become responsible for their own success.
References
- National Camp Association: Fat Camp? Not Anymore! Weight Loss Camps Have Come A Long Way; Cynthia Vega
- Fat Camp
- Ohio University: The Effectiveness of Summer Weight Loss Camp in Decreasing Body Mass Index and Increasing Self-Efficacy for Eating and Exercise; Melanee L. Wood
- Food Insight: Fat Camps for Teens: A "Huge" Help or Not?; Marsha Hudnall, MS, RD; August 2010
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