Camp America is a well known phenomenon which is now also growing in popularity in Britain.
While British camps tend to focus on sporting activities, American camps offer a wider variety of things to do, all of which may also have a particular focus. For instance, there are now weight loss camps for children. But can a camp that helps a child lose weight actually work?
It seems it might.
The American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recently published findings that showed childhood obesity in the USA is huge, affecting as many as 12.5 million children and teens. As such, the organisation is now promoting the idea of a weight loss camp.
Issues with weight aren’t just about being overweight. They are also about associated medical and health problems including increased obesity risk and heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol. There is also the issue surrounding social and emotional development in children. Adults can usually cope better with social pressures, but bullying in childhood can leave a lasting impression.
With that in mind, a weight loss camp could help, particularly since everyone at the camp will be in the same boat. Further, camps are not places that inflict pain. Rather, its aims are focused on enjoyment. A weight loss camp’s focus is on losing weight in a safe and enjoyable environment.
As a parent of an overweight child, when would be the right time to encourage them to attend a camp?
At the outset, experts say no child should be forced to go to a weight loss camp. They should be encouraged to do so, if it is deemed beneficial. They should also go to one which fits in with the individual. Some camps apparently focus on losing weight more than having fun, while others are the opposite weight round. Choosing the right one really depends on the child.
Max Truen for instance, told reporters: “I have so much more self-confidence. Girls definitely look at me differently!” Max lost 121 pounds over a year period attending weight loss camps.
Another attendee, Bethany said: “Camp truly changed my life, and my mother says that I am totally different now. I’m stronger, I have more friends, and I just love life.”