Fat camps are camps that overweight children attend with the main purpose of losing weight. They are like summer camps in that they are typically attended while children are on summer vacation. Fat camps use a combination of exercise and diet in order to achieve the intended result of fast weight loss. Fat camps are also known as fitness camps and weight loss camps. As with summer camps, there are variations on the activities available and the learning opportunities provided at the camps. Regardless of what they are called, there are pros and cons to attending fat camp.
Weight Loss
Fat camps can help overweight children lose weight, which is the main advantage and indeed one of the main goals of fat camps. The amount of lost weight varies from child to child. However, one of the disadvantages is that the weight can be regained if nutritional guidance is not provided and healthy exercise habits are not instilled in the children.
Lifestyle Changes
Fat camps can instill behavioral changes in children that will result in a permanent weight loss. Fat camps that have professional staffs can help children to understand the benefits of these lifestyle changes and provide children with the necessary motivation to make the lifestyle changes permanent.
Cost
The cost of a fat camp can put a crimp on family finances, which is a considerable disadvantage of fat camps. However, because of the potential for a child's healthier lifestyle, the money spent could be repaid in the form of reduced medical costs in the future if the child keeps the weight off.
Social and Psychological Factors
It's possible that some children may be embarrassed by being forced to attend fat camp. The experience could carry a social stigma among the child's peers, and the child could be teased or taunted. However, a child could also find new friends at a fat camp, just as a child could develop new friends from any summer camp. Children may also associate the need to lose weight with embarrassment as opposed to associate the need to lose weight as a means to gain confidence.
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