| Fitness and nutrition expert, Tracey | | | | off by the words, "fat camp" which |
| Redford of Curves International says, | | | | simply means a place where children of |
| "The inactivity among young people can | | | | all ages can get fit, learn about |
| not be blamed solely on the evolution of | | | | nutritional balance and have fun doing |
| Internet technology and television in | | | | so. Getting to participate in sports, |
| itself. Child obesity has lead to a | | | | crafts, and making make new friends |
| number of other health related issues | | | | while achieving weight loss in a |
| such as diabetes, high blood pressure, | | | | nurturing environment provides a |
| and heart disease from the combination | | | | positive alternative for kids, and can |
| of improper nutrition and lack of | | | | pave the way to combat obesity. |
| exercise." | | | | The ultimate goal is sustainable healthy |
| Redford went on to say, "We live in a | | | | weight loss |
| complex society where children of all | | | | When children feel they have no options, |
| ages have to contend with social issues | | | | they continue on the same path of poor |
| such as depression, violence and divorce | | | | eating habits leading to a state of |
| all having a downward spiraling affect | | | | helplessness. Sending a child to a gym |
| both physically and emotionally. The | | | | where they feel isolated and eventually |
| psychological impact this has on our | | | | lose motivation is not the solution |
| youth's triggers an imbalance in eating | | | | either. Redford explains, "We need far |
| habits and leads to a lack of motivation | | | | better choices if we want our youth's to |
| creating a domino effect." | | | | get on track and stay on track. Weight |
| A summer camp experience with weight | | | | loss camps for pre-teens and teenagers |
| loss benefits | | | | are a viable solution." |
| Last year in Canada alone the government | | | | What exactly is a weight loss camp? It's |
| spent over $2 billion on medical | | | | about building a better self-image and |
| procedures surrounding obesity. No | | | | self esteem while promoting health and |
| matter how many times we read about or | | | | wellness with individualized programs |
| see it on the news, children still do | | | | geared to weight loss that yields long |
| not understand the connection between | | | | term results. This is the foundation of |
| eating, exercise and a healthy body. | | | | the whole weight loss summer camp |
| Rather than pointing fingers and placing | | | | experience. A nutritionist designs an |
| blame, we need more resources and | | | | appropriate menu enabling campers to |
| programs that can be offered such as | | | | lose the weight and provide the |
| summer camp programs specializing in | | | | necessary tools to keep the weight off |
| weight loss. These camps are sometimes | | | | upon returning home from camp. |
| referred to as "fat camps" for young | | | | Understanding that the parent's role is |
| children and teens to guide them and | | | | crucial in encouraging proper weight |
| educate them on making good healthy | | | | control for their children, the camps |
| choices. | | | | provide access to a network of |
| Children and parents shouldn't be turned | | | | nutritionist across the country. |