Fat camps, often referred to as boot camps are camps where kids can go to shed a few pounds. Once they arrive, they are put on extremely strict diets, high intensity exercise programs and are diligently monitored for progress. The kids normally have weigh-ins, spend the day hiking, and eating only small portions during the day. Do they work? Yes, BUT they only work while the child is confined and under the often strict influence of the counselors and instructors. The children that attend these fat camps or fitness camps are not being given any life skills that will help them experience long-term weight loss. Worse, some of the tactics are belittling and bullying in an attempt to shame children for being overweight.

Weight loss camps on the other hand are carefully planned programs. Participants can attend the camps for long or short periods of time. The instruction is blended with plenty of education about the life skills your child will need to not just lose weight, but to remain healthy. The kids learn about issues such as self-control, self-discipline and learn the truths about nutrition and their body’s needs. Infused with these lessons are real life tactics they can use to be in control of their weight loss and their bodies. When the weight loss camp is over, the child is sent home with plenty of support, education, and tools to help them should they become misdirected. Essentially, the biggest difference between fat camps and weight loss camps is that weight loss camps act as a steady foundation of health while fat camps are like a ‘quick, fast diet campaign.’ Which would you rather your child to attend?

At some point in your child’s life, they will have to take responsibility for their body and their choices in life. Weight loss camps allow them to do so, and allow them to make positive and long lasting changes. It comes down to the old adage “when you know better, you do better!” For many teens, they just don’t know any better and live in homes with unhealthy parents or have emotional problems that are going undetected. The weight loss camps that are successful offer a full array of services so that your child is treated like an individual and given valuable life resources.

You would think in this day and age that the traditional ‘fat camps'; would no longer exist. Sadly, they do. Parents need to make good choices when it comes to helping their child lose weight. If you think your child would benefit from a weight loss camp, then conduct thorough research to ensure that the one you choose is more than just boot camp for overweight kids. The differences between the two are often made clear by the long term outcome based data that a camp has to offer. Before you enroll your child, make sure you take a look at these results so you know you are making the right choice.

There are some things to keep in mind.  When you do your research, make sure the camp offers the following:

1.  A healthy approach to weight loss.  This seems like a no-brainer, but just to make sure you’re not sending your child to an “old school” mentality camp, make sure that they offer plenty of healthful food choices that won’t leave your child too hungry.  Find out what a daily menu will be like.  Make sure it includes plenty of vegetables and fruit, lean protein, non-fat dairy and whole grains.

2.  Make sure the healthy approach goes beyond the food and exercise and includes emotional support for your child.  Being overweight or obese can be very tough on your child’s emotional well-being.  You want the counselors to be encouraging as well as understanding.  You want your child to lose weight, not self-esteem!

3.  Make sure that realistic goals are set.  Children lose weight differently than adults.  A lot of their “weight loss” will come in the form of “growing into” their weight.  Sure, pounds can and should be lost while at a weight loss camp, but you don’t want counselors to promise that they’ll send back a thin child!  Weight lost too quickly always comes back and is NEVER supportive of a healthy system.

4.  Make sure that they incorporate FUN activities in terms of exercise.  As adults, we tend to push ourselves in the gym, stay on the treadmill long after we’re bored or force another set of crunches.  Kids should have fun while they exercise so they stick with it.  Who knows?  Maybe they’ll come back home with some ideas for YOU to make YOUR exercise more fun!