Weight
Loss Camps for Children
Do weight loss camps
for children work and are they worth the expense? Recent estimates
suggest that around 25% of youngsters in the US and UK are either
overweight or obese and that despite government health warnings
and measures to improve the situation, this percentage is on
the increase. With so much media and government attention on
the problem, weight loss camps for children are springing up
all over the place and themselves becoming material for reality
TV shows.
But what goes on at a weight loss camp for children and should
you send your kids to one? Childrens's weight loss camps usually
take place during the summer and children and teenagers can
take part for 2 -8 weeks. They are encouraged to take part in
physical activities, both indoors and out and will get the chance
to try out new and interesting sports and games.
Diet
is obviously a major focus of weight loss camps for kids and
will introduce young people to healthy eating, portion control
and in some cases teach them how to cook nutritious balanced
meals which will help them lose weight. Another important aspect
of weight loss camp, is teaching kids how to change their behaviour,
so that what they learn at camp becomes a way of life, encouraging
them to continue losing weight after the camp has ended.
Other
positive aspects of weight loss camps are the opportunity to
make new friends and to discuss the psychological aspects of
being overweight or obese. This is especially important for
children and teenagers, who may suffer bullying at school with
a subsequent loss of self-esteem which can have devastating
and life-long effects.
If
you are thinking of sending your child to weight loss camp,
what should you look for? Cost is obviously an important issue,
but if your child is suffering and you haven't been able to
help, it could be worth the expense. Don't beat yourself up
because your attempts to help your child lose weight have been
unsuccessful, after all, how many kids, especially if they are
teenagers, listen to their parents?
A good
weight loss camp will take into account the fact that children
are individuals and will not force an overstrict one size fits
all diet on them. However, it should teach sound nutritional
principles and help children understand what makes a diet healthy.
Help
with behavioural change and counseling should also be included
and plenty of activities which appeal to all types of children,
particularly those who don't like traditional sports. Ongoing
support after the child has returned home is also vital if weight
loss is to continue and healthy eating and physical activity
are to become a way of life.
Images
by stock.xchange
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