This time of year many people make resolutions to do something better or differently than the year previously. One of the more common resolutions is to lose weight and with today's rising childhood obesity rates, it is likely that more kids and teens resolved to lose some weight this year than ever before. While a good summer weight loss camp for teens is a great way to get that process started, there are some things you can start doing now before summer arrives.

One of easy things you can do at home is make sure children are getting enough sleep. Studies have shown that a lack of sleep can be a contributing factor in weight gain. The cycle that is created when kids stop getting ample sleep is often unending and is quite unhealthy. The cycle is predictable:

-Kid stays up late watching TV, playing video games, doing homework, etc.
-Kid does not get enough sleep, wakes up the next day tired and lacking energy
-Throughout the day, the child is reluctant to participate in activities that burn calories because they are too tired from the night before
-Child eats an unhealthy diet, often full of lots of snacks and caffeinated beverages to provide jolts of energy throughout the day
-The cycle repeats itself daily, and weight is gained

Parents need to be aware of these trends and do what they can to prevent their children from adopting this unhealthy lifestyle.

One thing that parents can do is reduce the amount of time their children spend doing "inactivities" like watching TV, playing on the computer, talking on the phone, etc. by simply placing a time limit on the amount of time the children have per day for each. The time previously spent on inactivites can now be spent on more active things which will allow them to burn more calories.

Another big key is to have your kids do their homework after school instead of after dinner. Getting homework out of the way after school will help to prevent nights where kids do not get enough sleep because they had to stay up late doing homework.

Kids are also often full of excuses when it's time to go to bed. Many times it seems like they're doing anything they can to stay out of bed. A full day of activity can help to ensure that they'll be worn out enough to be ready for bed when the time comes. After finishing homework, attempt to get your child to do something active instead of inactive. Even a game of catch with the next door neighbor on a daily basis can be beneficial when compared to an extra hour a day on the couch watching cartoons.

Finally, a well balanced dinner is key. A good, square meal will help prevent late-night snacks that are often unhealthy. A child that eats a well balanced, nutritional meal a few hours before bed will be much less likely to be raiding the pantry before bedtime or in the middle of the night.

The keys to losing weight in a healthy manner are the same for kids as they are for adults - a good diet combined with exercise. Simply, children that do not get enough sleep at night are more likely to eat poorly and less likely to get proper exercise. As a parent, you can address this issue by limiting "inactivity" time and providing well balanced dinners for your child.

If you have an overweight or obese child, you may think that you've exhausted your resources and options for helping your child lose weight. Here are three fresh new ideas that may be the right solution for your child!

1. Weight Loss Camps

"Fat" camps are a thing of the past. Today's weight loss and fitness camps for kids offer far more than those stereotypical camps of yester-year. There's a huge emphasis on self-esteem, self-empowerment, knowledge and living healthy for life as opposed to the fat camps that would have isolated your child and put massive restrictions on their diets. Many kids find these camps to be more about fun than anything else which makes the weight loss part of it much easier.

2. Martial Arts

There are more and more youth karate programs springing up that offer not only the physical fitness benefits of martial arts, but also the great benefits of improving self esteem, self discipline and focus. These are areas that your overweight or obese child may struggle with quite a bit as they face the problems associated with the social stigma of being heavy.

3. Cooking Classes

Most overweight or obese children have an unhealthy obsession with food. We all do to some level as our society has put so much emphasis on food being about comfort and celebration. So, it may seem strange to emphasize anything about food or the enjoyment. Not true. We all have to eat and cooking is something that can be regarded as an art. Finding a children's cooking course that teaches a child to prepare healthful meals will empower them to make better choices. Why not let your child prepare a few healthful meals per week after they've finished the class? There's no reason you shouldn't all eat healthfully!

A lot of today's weight troubles among our youth can be attributed large in part to the growing number of sedentary activities available.  Years ago, we never had so many choices of "screens" to entertain us:  computers, satellite TV, TIVO, video games galore and handheld personal video games.

You know as well as I do that we cannot turn back the clock.  We can't expect our children to not want or desire these games.  The reality is that we simply need to set up limitations and a system to ensure that they get plenty of exercise along with their screen time.  Here are some ideas of how you can do that:

1.  Set up screen-time reward tickets

For every 15 minutes of exercise they perform, they get 30 minutes of screen time.  This is something that they will perceive as a great deal because they get more for less.  Most kids will see that if they do 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise (running, jumping rope, riding their bike etc.) that they'll end up with an entire hour of their favorite screen activity.  And, you'll be sneaking in that ever important 30 minutes of necessary activity in order to promote weight loss.

2.  Buy a Wii and Wii Fit

Screen time doesn't have to be inactive anymore.  Wii Fit has provided a fun outlet for kids that incorporates the best of both worlds.  They get to set up their "Mii" which is a virtual image used on the screen to represent your child.  An initial weight is taken as well as other fitness assessments such as BMI and balance.  As your child sets up their own personal fitness program, they get to track their progress.

3.  Provide Other Activities

Hey, the screens are tough competition, but your child still enjoys other activities.  Fitness camps are absolutely fantastic for kids.  They are a lot of fun and they'll help your child develop a fitness plan that they'll continue long after the camp is over.  As well, make a point to get the whole family out and about on a daily basis.  This could be a game at the park, walking the dog together or even having a silly yet fun, active obstacle course in the backyard!

Most of us probably learned about the food guide pyramid in grade school…or perhaps you're one of our younger readers still learning about it now.  For those like me with bad memories, you can check out the American Food Guide Pyramid here.  It's a fabulous tool and one that can really help you make healthier choices when it comes to your diet.  A healthy diet is really important for weight loss and teaching healthy eating habits is one of our primary goals at our weight loss camps for kids.

However, it's always a good thing to get a second opinion, so to speak.  I thought it might be kind of fun to tell you about the Healthy Eating Pyramid and see what kids are learning on the other side of the planet.

Our pyramid is divided into six parts:  Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk, Oils, Meats & Beans.  You can click on each section of the pyramid at the USDA website linked above and get advice on how much of each you should take in throughout the day.

The Healthy Eating Pyramid developed by the Australian Nutrition Foundation Inc. is simpler.  It is divided up into three categories:  Eat Most, Eat moderately and Eat in small amounts.  Rather than giving specific advice, the advice is that one should eat mostly fruits, veggies, beans, nuts and grains and also eat some, but not as much, lean meats, eggs, and low-fat dairy.  The types of foods to be eaten in small amounts are oil, margarine, reduced-fat spreads, butter and sugar.

Hmmm… I wonder if kangaroo and crocodile are considered lean meats?

There are good things and bad things about both pyramids.  The American pyramid might seem complicated to some and it may cause confusion in the sense that there are a lot of things to consider.  However, the Australian pyramid may be too simplistic because it doesn't offer a lot of information on portion sizes.

So, it's really a matter of what you need more.  Do you need more advice on portion sizes and specifics?  Or, do you just want to know what in general you should or shouldn't be eating?

Both pyramids are fantastic guides to healthy eating.  Whichever one you choose, you'll be making better choices in the foods you eat!  Making better eating choices is paramount in losing weight and living at a healthy weight.  If you feel like you need help jump-starting the process or maybe just need a positive and supportive environment to get started in, check out one of our weight loss camps.

Obesity has such a negative tag attached to it.  If your child is overweight or obese, you probably have a lot of concerns about how the world will perceive him or her.  It's a shame, really, that all we see when we look at somebody who is obese or overweight is their imagery.

The fact is that obesity is a disease like any other disease and we need to start perceiving it that way.  When we make it a superficial problem, we end up breaking down a child's self image and self esteem.  The key is to understand the health issues that surround obesity and why it's so important that you find adequate help and support in fostering your child's weight loss efforts.  Our fitness camps are great ways to get started, but ultimately the problem must be addressed in daily life.

Cardiovascular health is by far the primary concern when it comes to obesity.  The heart and its ability to function is affected largely by our diets and activity levels.  Study after study proves a link between obesity and many contributing factors to poor heart health.

Arteriosclerosis (clogged arteries) results from a diet high in saturated fat.  The prevalance of high blood pressure in people who are obese is high.  Cholesterol levels can usually be decreased when adequate weight is lost.  Excessive weight in the abdominal region is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, as is a high body mass index or BMI.

The risk of developing type II diabetes is also very high in children and adolescents who are obese or overweight.  As a matter of fact, it's been estimated that nearly 25% of kids born today will eventually develop type II diabetes as adolescents or adults.  Type II diabetes poses a huge threat to developing cardiovascular disease because of the sticky consistency of the blood in diabetic patients.

All of this is scary stuff, I know.  But the good news is that it can all be reversed!  This isn't something that is a life sentence written in stone for your child.  Weight loss, even moderate weight loss, can reduce all of these risk factors.

Through your own efforts and your child's as well as the advice and guidance of counselors at a summer weight loss camp, dieticians and physicians, you can help your child lose weight and reduce this risk.

Not only that, but consider this a learning opportunity for you and your child.  Take comfort in the idea that you'll not only be helping your child lose weight, but with the knowledge he or she will gain through the weight loss program, chances are that your child will learn to eat and live healthier than most of his peers.

It all goes along with that image problem.  We tend to think that people who are thin or even at a normal weight are healthy just based on their appearance.  The fact is that if they are not eating right or exercising, then they may be very unhealthy.  Your child will have the benefit of learning about a healthy lifestyle while they are still young leading to a lifetime of good health!

In the 1960s, the percentage of obese children ages 6-11 was around 4%.  Today, it's a staggering 17% and rising.  There are a lot of desperate parents and scared kids who aren't sure what to do as weight loss efforts fail and the risk of developing a plethora of diseases goes up.

Some parents are even turning to surgical intervention for adolescents as this option is beginning to open up for obese teenagers.  The problem is that the long term results of gastric bypass surgery and lap band procedures is simply not known at this time for this group of new patients.

With the amount of diseases that can be attributed to obesity, it's imperative that we find a solution to this epidemic or we may be facing one of the unhealthiest generations of people in many years.  Cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorder, diabetes, debilitating joint problems and even some types of cancer are among the problems this 17% may be facing if adequate weight loss programs are not incorporated.

Parents and children alike need to be educated on proper nutrition and exercise.  There's a lot of misinformation out there due to skewed product information in the food manufacturing arena.  So many companies boast "wholesome goodness" and "healthy meals for kids" when in fact, the vast majority of food that children eat these days is far from healthy no matter what the label says.

Individual counseling can be highly beneficial as it will address the needs of the child, parent and family involved in the weight loss efforts.

A summer weight loss camp may be the most practical solution to the problem.  Trained counselors can educate the family and tailor a weight loss program to suit the needs of the child; a program that the child can continue once they are back home.  

Many parents simply need guidance and many children need the self-confidence boosters and self empowerment that a weight loss camp can offer.

We all know that the secret to weight loss is really not much of a secret but more of a formula.  The simple fact is that in order for your child to lose weight, they need to eat less and burn more calories.  The problem is that this formula is reliant upon your child's ability to make better choices.

This is where empowerment comes into play.  It's difficult to accomplish something when we feel like we're only doing it to please someone else or follow somebody's rules.  When kids gain the knowledge they need to make those rules and plans themselves, they are empowered to conquer their weight issues on their own terms.

Fitness camps, summer weight loss camps, and weight loss camps for kids can help empower your child to lose the weight they need to be healthier and happier.  Trained counselors give your kids the knowledge they need to make informed choices.  They will learn to view foods that are good for them as being something they choose.  It's not that they can't have treats like doughnuts or potato chips, but that they are choosing to feed their body with healthier foods.

Exercise techniques are taught in a fun way so that your child wants to exercise and views it as a good thing, not something he or she dreads.  We all know how difficult it is to stick with an exercise program that we don't enjoy.  When kids find out that exercise can be a lot of fun, they naturally want to do it and stick with it!

Empowerment is the real secret to any weight loss program!  Not only that, but this gift to your child will help them in many aspects of life.  Once they realize that through knowledge comes empowerment and through empowerment comes success, the sky is the limit to what they can achieve, and a fitness camp is a great place to get started.

If you have a child who is overweight or obese, you know how frustrating the problem can be.  The fact is that no matter what our efforts are at home, we are faced with a growing number of outside contributing factors to this problem.  While there are a number of ways to combat this problem, such as a summer weight loss camp, it is up to us to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Once our children begin school, the vast majority of their time is spent within that system.  Over the years, the amount of time spent in school on physical activities has been drastically cut.  Recess times have shrunk as the academic requirements have increased.  Physical education is no longer offered on a daily basis as budgets have shrunk and this has now become a once or twice a week class that lasts around 20 minutes.

The food offered at the school through lunch programs is lacking in nutrition and high in fat and refined carbohydrates:  chicken nuggets, battered fish, pizza, tacos and gravy laden instant mashed potatoes are on most menus.  The alternatives are salads that many children do not choose and yogurt or peanut butter & jelly packs that are high in sugar content.  If they eat the fruit or veggies accompanying the meals, you're lucky!

The schools have to do what they can under budgeting circumstances and other important needs such as academics.  The fact is that it is up to US to solve the problem.  We may not be able to fix the problems at school, but there are solutions outside the school walls.

Weight loss camps for kids that are offered throughout the nation can be one such solution.  Whether you are looking for after-school programs, summer break programs or even weekend or holiday camps, many communities offer these weight loss camps for kids that teach children about proper nutrition and help them start down a healthy path through exercise.

As well, it's important that you do what you can at home.  Educate yourself or ask a weight loss camp counselor for assistance in providing healthier choices at home.  Pack your child's lunch with healthy choices rather than letting them eat the school lunch.  Provide physical activity before or after school and at the weekend.

We may not be able to control everything that goes on at school, but we can make changes in our lives that your children will carry throughout their lives.  When your children are grown and working a full-time job, their employers probably won't provide P.E. either.  Teach them now how to incorporate exercise and healthy eating into their lives no matter what the circumstance!  If you don't know where to start, a fitness camp is a great place to establish a solid working foundation.

Pixar's "Wall-E" was a favorite of my kids this summer, and I have to say it was my favorite film of the summer as well.  I loved the message about connecting with others and the importance of having each other.  Wall-E and Eve may have been robots, but they were a lot warmer than any of the techno savvy humans in the bunch.

Did you think about that at all as you watched?  I mean, it's kind of crazy to think that we could all end up on a spaceship someday doing nothing but drinking our meals and relying completely on technology for communication and transportation… or is that crazy?

If you look at the direction our society is taking, the movie doesn't seem so far fetched.  People's lifestyles are much more sedentary today than they were 25 years ago, and our increased use of technology certainly plays a role in that.  Unhealthy living is commonplace today and fitness camps are springing up all over the country to help fight the heath concerns we face today.

Think about it:  How did you get to work or school this morning?  If you walked or rode your bike, you're one of the people in the nation that does that anymore.  Good for you!  Do you talk face to face with your friends more than you text or IM?  If you do, that's fantastic also!  After school, do you play outside with your friends or interact with fellow forum members on the internet?

Board game or Wii?  Okay, Wii's pretty cool, especially Wii Fit!  I'll give you that one.  The point is that we all, parents included, spend far too much time with the world of technology than we do with the world of humans.  Remember how things were for the people on the spaceship?  They  were all so unhealthy that they'd actually begun to evolve into humans that didn't require bone structure!

Remember the two humans that Wall-E inadvertently forced into direct communication?  Remember how happy they were when they were in the pool together?  And the captain of the ship?  Remember how excited he was when he began to learn all about Earth?  It was simply fascinating to him that so much life once existed… so much connection, emotion and individuality beyond the computer monitor!

Stay connected with your friends and family!  One great way to connect with new friends and learn healthy living habits is to attend a weight loss camp.  Ask your parents about it.  As well, you might consider blowing the dust off the Monopoly box and have a no tech family game night!  And don't worry, even if your dad wins and becomes obnoxious, you can bring him back down to size the next time you challenge him to a Super Smash Brothers Brawl!

A few weeks ago, my Kindergartner had the "Snack Box" for the first time.  Now, the snack box is a big tub with a lid that you fill with snacks for the following day for all of the kids in class.  Naturally, I wanted to gain an idea of what had been sent previously by other parents to make sure that my child's first snack day cuisine was a hit with the class.  Little did I know, I was up against some pretty stiff competition.

It turns out, my son had previously had cookies, chips, candy and chocolate for snacks at school.  Of course, wanting to make sure that he wasn't pulling one over on me trying to get me to send something like that, I called my friend whose son is in the same class.  She concurred saying that her son had reported similar snacks.

I was simply shocked!  I realize that not every parent on the planet is trying to undo pervious mistakes because they have an overweight kindergartener, but even I had never allowed my child to dine on such snacks throughout the day.  It doesn't matter whether your child is overweight or not.  Those refined sugar products are simply terrible for our children's health.  Okay now and again, sure.  But five days a week, twice a day?  No.

So, what does one do?  How do you convince other parents to send healthier snacks?  How do we send healthier snacks?  Understand that "home-made" is out anymore because of the potential for food borne illness.  So, the snacks need to be store bought.  And, they need to be something that 5-year-old's enjoy (which of course is the biggest challenge).

So, I brainstormed with a few other moms that shared my concerns.  Through my experiences with children's summer fitness camp, I've learned a ton of great snack ideas.  Implementing them for an entire class was a bit difficult, but once we figured out how to do that, we printed up a take home sheet that the teacher was more than willing to send home with the kids.  She too had been battling the sugar snacks (what teacher wants 20+ five year olds hopped up on sugar all day?).

Here are some of the ideas: (obviously, some of these won't work for classrooms with peanut allergies, check with the teacher)

Kinder Mix — Yogurt covered raisins, cashews, soy nuts

Strawberries and Creme — Plain vanilla yogurt, sliced strawberries or unsweetened frozen strawberries for simplicity.  Call a local restaurant and ask if they'd be willing to donate disposable "take-home" ramekins with lids that you can easily put the yoghurt and strawberries in separately and allow the child to mix.  Your local deli might donate a bunch of those little tester spoons as well.

Toffee/sugar coated nuts (true, there's sugar involved, but more protein, vitamins and even omega 3 fatty acid in some nuts as opposed to sugar through and through) & grapes (rinse the whole bunch and snip little clusters of five grapes or so)

Turkey cheese rollups — Take one piece of mild cheese, one piece of lean turkey from the deli and roll it up!

And remember:  These are snacks, not meals.  They may seem like a small amount, but 5-year-olds have small stomachs too!  Let's keep it that way!

For more ideas and ways of dealing with all of the challenges of parenting an overweight or obese child, check out some of the fabulous weight loss camps for children!