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.