That traditional approach is in many ways more overtly encouraging, because it does not make the entire camp experience simply about losing weight and keeping it off. However, if you have ever seen the dread on a teenager's face when the idea of going to fat camp is suggested, you will know that this is not exactly how the idea is taken by them. Often, modern teens object less to the idea of a boot camp for weight loss, because they know they are overweight and want to be more attractive, but simply don't want to feel weak and feeble about it.
Given the tremendous pressure that is placed on teens to look and act sexy and strong, this is understandable. Plus, adolescence is just a difficult time to be alive. If it has not been very long for you then perhaps you can remember. Even if you were not overweight you probably sometimes felt that you were, or else felt that you were underweight or improperly developed. Parts of one's body grow in and out of proportion to one another, and one has not yet learned to smoothly perform social and mechanical operations. It is an awkward time that is charged with difficult social and psychological adjustments.
Often, the teenage years have traditionally been the time for a youth to be instilled with "discipline" and to start to develop their "character," and so the teen weight loss boot camp actually hearkens back to the ideals of those simpler times. It also offers something to the teenager who senses they are living during wartimes, in a tough economy, and coping with unusual social realities spurred by the acceleration of technology and global economic structures. So yes, a teen weight loss boot camp can help a teenager to grow into someone who will have a better sense for what is healthy and appropriate in their lives. There are also weight loss boot camps for adults.
Typically the major elements of a weight loss boot camp are fitness and diet. The diet will typically be created by a nutritionist or dietician, and the exercise will usually involve some personal training and hopefully more weight training than cardio, although cardiovascular exercises still play a major role in many weight loss camp programs simply because of the ongoing myth that they cause weight loss, which the medical research in this area has failed to substantiate.
Two of the most popular weight loss boot camps for teens in the United States are Camp La Jolla in San Diego, California, and Camp Kingsmont in Amherst, Massechusetts.
Camp La Jolla has weight loss camp programs for teen girls and teen boys, as well as a number of other age groups including adult weight loss camp programs. This weight loss camp positions itself less as a weight loss boot camp and more of a summer camp that incorporates weight loss, so it is more traditional. they do however use the term weight loss boot camp to describe their programs in some instances.
We appreciate the emphasis on emotional support and personality development at Camp La Jolla, as we feel this is very important for teens. Simply losing weight will not do for someone who is becoming an adult; it is necessary to develop a healthy lifestyle and that includes building up a good amount of self-esteem. The Camp La Jolla literature elaborates:
At Camp La Jolla, teen girls discover how to live a fun, happy, and healthy life. Insecurities vanish and self confidence is gained through participation in new and exciting activities like hip hop aerobics, firm and tone, yoga, racquetball, surfing, step aerobics, boogie boarding, kickboxing, volleyball, basketball, swimming and so much more! Teen girls can select the activities that interest them, have a more enjoyable workout, and see maximum results in weight and inch loss!
Camp Kingsmont also places an emphasis on lifestyle development, but they take a more behaviorist psychological approach. Their child and adolescent weight loss boot camp programs include behavioral modification modules designed to inhibit the behaviors that cause and maintain obesity. So the approach is less fun summer camp and more like what you expect from a weight loss boot camp, although with a somewhat less military bent than other camps.
The Camp Kingsmont literature states:
At Kingsmont, we know a physical change is not enough to conquer childhood obesity. To ensure an emotional change, campers attend a series of behavioral modification classes known as Connections. In this program, group discussions among campers focus on targeting hunger cues and recognizing the behaviors that give rise to obesity. The classes provide a safe environment where individuals can focus on building self-esteem, self-image and self-worth. Kingsmont also recognizes the fight against childhood obesity extends to children who cannot afford camp. In fact, studies have shown obesity is higher in disadvantaged neighborhoods. While the camp tries to accommodate as many disadvantaged campers as possible, the numbers are still small. Thus, Kingsmont's next goal is to significantly increase our outreach to bring disadvantaged children to camp.
No matter what type of weight loss boot camp you choose, it is very important that you pay attention to the teen's self esteem and the way that they are developing their lifestyle and personality, and offer support for them in doing this. In this way they will not merely grow thinner, but healthier and happier.
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