After reading the post about the "Biggest Loser" show, I could not stop thinking about the lack of support for the contestants. Thinking about this led me to news article called "Weight-Loss Camps Invite Mom and Dad Along."
In this news article, it briefly mentions the weight-loss camps across the nation in which children are able to attend in order to learn about and start living a healthier lifestyle. This article focus specifically on a girl named Kelsey and her family. Kelsey attended a summer camp, and over the course of the 3 months, she was losing about 9 pounds per month. At the end of the 3 months, Kelsey's dad and sister joined Kelsey to participate in a family workshop. The idea of the family workshop is to teach the families of these children attending the weight-loss camps about the reasons why children overeat, and also are provided tips and resources to help motivate their children once they leave camp and return home. Kelsey's family is reported to be doing amazing after attending the family workshop, and even her father and sister have reaped benefits by losing weight, and becoming more active as well. This news article continues on to report that family support is important and beneficial and help kids to maintain the healthy lifestyle and continue to lose weight if necessary.
In my opinion these camps seem to be doing a better job then the "Biggest Loser" television show has done in the area of support. Some of the camps even have the resources available for previous campers(children) to contact counselors when they need some extra motivation or support. Also it is possible for these campers to keep in contact with the camp, and to log their results even while they are at home.
Does anyone else agree that these programs are beneficial for the children? Is there anything that some of you might change about the program?
In this news article, it briefly mentions the weight-loss camps across the nation in which children are able to attend in order to learn about and start living a healthier lifestyle. This article focus specifically on a girl named Kelsey and her family. Kelsey attended a summer camp, and over the course of the 3 months, she was losing about 9 pounds per month. At the end of the 3 months, Kelsey's dad and sister joined Kelsey to participate in a family workshop. The idea of the family workshop is to teach the families of these children attending the weight-loss camps about the reasons why children overeat, and also are provided tips and resources to help motivate their children once they leave camp and return home. Kelsey's family is reported to be doing amazing after attending the family workshop, and even her father and sister have reaped benefits by losing weight, and becoming more active as well. This news article continues on to report that family support is important and beneficial and help kids to maintain the healthy lifestyle and continue to lose weight if necessary.
In my opinion these camps seem to be doing a better job then the "Biggest Loser" television show has done in the area of support. Some of the camps even have the resources available for previous campers(children) to contact counselors when they need some extra motivation or support. Also it is possible for these campers to keep in contact with the camp, and to log their results even while they are at home.
Does anyone else agree that these programs are beneficial for the children? Is there anything that some of you might change about the program?
I think this weight loss camp is a great idea. It is awesome that the family workshops can involve both the kids and their families. I agree that this camp seems to be doing a better job than the "Biggest Loser" at giving the campers more resources and support during their weight-loss program. Although the "Biggest Loser" is technically a gameshow and the producers want to get higher rankings. I feel the contestants on the show should still be required to provide each contestant with a counselor.
I like how this camp combined teaching campers and their families helpful tips and giving them multiple resources in order to help them continue losing weight. I also thought it was neat that Kelsey's family is also joining her in losing weight and eating healthier. I do not think this program would work as well without a supportive family and the family also being committed to reaching their own weightloss goal.
I also think that this would be a great idea! Especially inviting the whole family along. It is important, especially for younger kids, to have a positive network of social and family influences along with them to give them support and simply to let them know there are people out there who care about them.
If someone goes about weight loss alone, it is far less likely for them to succeed. However, if they know that there are people supporting them and depending on them, then they can gain the self-confidence to try harder.