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Kids Navigate Obesity and Bad Ads

June 15, 2012 by

According to a 2006 study, children who are overweight in their preschool years are five times more likely than other children to be overweight at age 12.

Earlier last week Bloomberg.com released an article focusing on childhood obesity and the minefield that kids must navigate between calories and bad ads.

With parents now focused on school lunches and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg banning the sale of sugary drinks over the size of 16 ounces at delis,vending carts, movie theaters and restaurants. The heat is on and it is all aimed at this national crisis.

Food intake is the number one factor in childhood obesity and this is something that can be fixed, at New Image Summer Weight Loss Camp for Kids at Pocono Trails that is one of the primary focuses.

As founder Tony Sparber puts it, “If you’re serious about helping your child attain and maintain a trim and fit body, you must be the first one in your family to make the changes that will put all of you on track in this race for fitness.”

Find out more about the summer program as sessions are currently underway at http://www.newimagecamp.com/

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Losing Weight and Gaining Self Confidence? Not Necessarily…

May 31, 2012 by

In a recent study conducted by Purdue sociology researcher Sarah Mustillo via the National Growth and Health Study it has been revealed that losing weight does not necessarily boost confidence and whether or not it does may depend on your race.

Mustillo analyzed ten years of data on upwards of 2,000 black and white girls.

Mustillo can’t say exactly why the effects of obesity-related stigma lingered for the white girls, but not the black. That’s a subject for future study.

New Image Camps makes self-esteem a top priority and focuses on making self-esteem an essential step in their four step summer teen weight loss camp.

New Image Camps philosophy:

From the moment campers arrive, they are treated with respect and caring
by our highly trained staff who are all devoted to the New Image philosophy:

1. Provide an environment where weight loss is an integral part of the summer camp experience

2. Promote health, wellness, integrity and learning

3. Build self-esteem and lasting friendships

4. Ensure individualized attention that yields results

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Camp Pocono Teams with MTV’s Chelsea Settles

May 23, 2012 by

In exciting news MTV’s reality star Chelsea Settles is teaming up with New Image Camps at Pocono Trails weight loss camp for kids this summer. Settles announced the news on her blog last month, stating,

“This summer I’ll be instructing a course on charm, poise, and building self confidence and a healthy body image at Camp Pocono Trails. I’ll be living at the camp full time starting June 13 through August 15.”

Settles is best known from her self-titled show on MTV which chronicled her journey from cutting down from 326 pounds. With New Image Camps, Chelsea will focus on teaching classes in grooming, poise and charm.

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Fatty Foods Act as Drugs

April 23, 2012 by

In news that may or may not be new to you, The Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE) is reporting that fatty foods act like drugs, causing a vicious cycle of overeating and depression.

The study (produced by Dr. Stephanie Fulton of the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre) fed mice different foods and monitored changes in behavior. Dopamine is released in the brain while eating higher-fat foods. Dopamine is the same chemical a human brain releases in high volume when a taking illicit drugs.

The mice in the study who were fed the higher-fat foods tended to be more anxious and depressed. They avoided open areas and did not attempt to escape from being trapped.

In addition to these findings the stress-related hormone corticosterone was elevated in the mice. Further studies are hoping to determine if foods that are high fat and high in sugar play a similar role in humans.

Camp Pocono Trails is a summer weight loss camp for kids.

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Study says genes cause childhood obesity

April 13, 2012 by

In the largest genome study of common childhood obesity, researchers have identified a genetic predisposition to childhood obesity. This study differs from other studies because normally these studies are focused on more extreme cases of obesity, connected with rare diseases.

Further study is required to compile international data, but this study is promising in that it could provide some preventive interventions and treatments for children.

While genetics most likely play a role in childhood obesity, changing habits are the only way to get weight-loss results. Children and families who need strategies to jump-start their weight loss and to learn how to live in a healthy way should consider attending a weight loss camp for kids and teens.

The benefits of spending one summer at weight loss camp can last a lifetime! Not only do kids and teens lose weight, but they also gain self-esteem and make lasting friendships.

No matter the cause of childhood obesity, healthy habits are the cure.

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The Most Important Factor for Child Weight Loss

March 16, 2012 by

More and more studies are coming out saying that there is one factor that contributes most to the success or failure of a child trying to lose weight: their parent or caregiver.

Parents or caregivers have several ways of influencing the weight-loss success of their child or teen. Two important actions parents can take are:

  1. Identifying and changing unhealthy behaviors–both by the parent and the child or teen. Keeping a daily log of behaviors helps you to be more accountable for what you do, and the need for change becomes clear. When parents work alongside teens and kids to change their diet and exercise habits, children are more likely to do the same.
  2. Relying on positive reinforcement. Like all behavior changes, giving praise goes a long way in getting results. Positive reinforcement for behaviors should include non-monetary and non-food rewards like spending time together or a fun outing.

Parents’ behavior at home has a big influence on how kids tackle weight problems. Something else parents can do is consider sending their children to a summer weight loss camp to help kids begin to learn about good habits and jump-start their weight loss.

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Summer Weight-Loss Camp Is…

March 14, 2012 by

If you are still deciding whether summer camp is the right place for your child or teen, here is a list of what summer weight loss camp is about:

  • Healthy life learning. Camp shouldn’t be about fad diets or deprivation, it’s about having fun learning about correct portion sizes and enjoying physical activities.
  • Sports should focus on participation, not competition. Staff should instruct and positively reinforce the efforts of kids who are having a great time while being physically active. Physical activity should never be stressful!
  • Team building. Team activities teach kids how to work successfully as a team and how to be a good sport. Team activities also help raise self-esteem and build friendships!
  • Water activities. Hot summer days can be spent on a private lake kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing or more! Kids at Camp Pocono Trails get the amazing experience of having an onsite private lakefront at their disposal.
  • Building friendships and making memories. The camp experience would be nothing without the lasting bonds of friendship that are developed and cultivated year after year at weight loss camp.

Camp Pocono Trails is the absolute best place your child or teen can spend a summer!

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Overweight Kids May Miss More School than Other Kids

March 2, 2012 by

A new study published in the International Journal of Obesity showed that overweight and obese kids were more likely to miss two or more days of school in a month than normal weight kids.

While the study didn’t conclusively show evidence of why overweight kids might miss more school, the authors proposed a few theories.

The theories were:

  • Fear of being bullied.
  • Fear of being teased.
  • Feeling embarrassed to participate in physical activities.
  • Physical problems linked to obesity such as asthma or sleep apnea.

Whatever the reasons, missing school often can cause children to fall behind their peers academically. Children should never have to miss school because of something as preventable as childhood obesity. You can help your child make great steps toward improved self-confidence and healthy weight loss at a summer weight loss camp for kids.

Weight loss camp is a great opportunity for kids and teens to meet lifelong friends and learn how to live a healthy lifestyle that will keep them in shape for life!

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Is Bariatric Surgery a Good Option for Teens?

February 17, 2012 by

Childhood and teenage obesity is not just a problem in the United States—it’s also a growing problem in Canada.

Looking for a solution to this epidemic, some teens are turning to drastic measures normally reserved for adults. Teens are pursuing bariatric surgery—a variety of procedures that includes gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic gastric banding, commonly known as lap band.

These extreme measures have drastic results, but also require some very intense lifestyle changes. The surgery forces people to permanently give up caffeine sources such as pop and coffee, to eat much smaller portions and often take a variety of vitamin supplements. In addition, not a lot is known about the long-term effects of the surgery, so if adverse effects occur, teens could be especially vulnerable later in life.

Before considering such major life changes, teens should try exercise and healthy diet to combat their obesity problem. Changing daily habits takes time, and may not have the quick results that bariatric surgery has. However, healthy eating and exercise is actually less restrictive and much less dangerous than surgery. Caffeine and other treats can continue to be enjoyed, in moderation, and vitamin deficiencies (as long as a variety of healthful foods are eaten) are not a concern.

One way to jump start weight loss for teens is to send them to a weight loss camp, such as Camp Pocono Trails. At camp, teens learn healthy habits, discover new ways to be active and make lifelong friends. One summer can make a dramatic difference in teen weight loss success!

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Children Who Are Socially Excluded Tend to Exercise Less

February 11, 2012 by

New research from Kent State University demonstrates that social exclusion results in decreased physical activity among children. The study is called, “The Effect of Stimulated Ostracism on Physical Activity Behavior in Children,” and it appears in the March 2012 issue of Pediatrics.

In the study, children first played an online game. In half the instances of the game, the children were excluded from play. After playing online, they were allowed to choose a sedentary or physical activity while researchers analyzed data. In instances where children were deliberately left out of the online game, research showed they were more likely to choose a sedentary activity than the children who were not excluded from the online game.

The findings are a bit concerning and point to what could turn into a negative cycle for kids who are already overweight: if they are already excluded for being overweight, they may exercise less, causing them to remain overweight.

One way to break this cycle is a summer weight loss camp. Kids and teens who are overweight will find fun ways to exercise, and, perhaps more importantly, accepting friends who are working toward a common goal.

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