Overweight Teens Marching To Summer Camps
Weight loss camps are flourishing because they address a real and urgent problem that parents find really tough to deal with unaided.Weight loss camps offer a variety of different
approaches and programs- from traditional diet and exercise
plans to the newest fads in weight loss.
Take
as an example one New York summer weight loss camp.
The camp combines traditional diet and weight loss programs with
a range of alternative ways to lose weight.
A high priority is ensuring their programs are enjoyable and entertaining. They want the kids that enroll to have fun. The programs
offered include a range of unusual activities
aimed at stimulating, speeding and maintaining the
metabolic processes that burn off calories.
By
the time the camp stay ends, both parents and the kids themselves are
usually very happy with the results of their weight loss program.
A great benefit is that many of these health camp weight loss programs are
designed for continuity. So the kids that
do "get the message" and stick with their programs will
continue to lose weight after they return home.
Unfortunately, not all traditional diet camps produce the results
expected. So choose carefully which camp your kids
will attend. Seek camps with interesting and
stimulating programs and with good references from the academic
and medical community.
Try to choose camps with diet programs based on scientific research and
sound nutritional and psychological basics. Don't send
your kids to become guinea pigs for unproven "fad"
diet or exercise plans. Opt for well established weight loss programs
proven to deliver results that last.
Aside from diet and
exercise, the better camps offer skills training to help kids and teens maintain a healthy body
throughout life. Some offer behavioral therapies
to strengthen their mental and emotional capacity to
deal with issues that cause or result from weight gain.
There are summer camps that offer special needs
programs for problems beyond simple overweight - e.g. Autism, ADHD, Asperger's
and various learning disabilities or behavioral problems.
Some camps will cater concurrently for both special
needs and weight control issues.
For many parents, these
health camps are a Godsend. It is extremely
difficult for parents to motivate children suffering
from psychological disorders to lose weight. In
these situations, expert assistance is often the way
to progress.
One factor that parents should look for in a weight loss camp is the ratio
of students to staff. A high ratio of instructors
or counselors will allow more individual attention for
each child and can also provide a wider range of
expertise.
Sufficient supervision is essential
to ensure that students follow the program correctly and
to guide them in correct techniques to maximize their results. Expert instructors will
assure that kids leave camp satisfied and with
improved self-esteem.
Weight loss summer camps are
available in most areas. There are also some winter camps
on offer. Health camp is one of the best
investments a parent or sponsor could make for a
child's long term health and happiness.