Childhood obesity remained the number one health problem among children in the United States, says the University of Michigan in 2009. Children who are overweight as children have an 80 percent chance of becoming overweight adults, leading to an increased risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other health issues. While it is important for overweight children to lose weight, they are also still growing, therefore, it is important that any weight loss program they follow include healthy, well balanced eating.
Childhood obesity remained the number one health problem among children in the United States, says the University of Michigan in 2009. Children who are overweight as children have an 80 percent chance of becoming overweight adults, leading to an increased risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and other health issues. While it is important for overweight children to lose weight, they are also still growing, therefore, it is important that any weight loss program they follow include healthy, well balanced eating.
Trim Kids
Trim Kids is a program designed to last 12 weeks and incorporates not only the health needs of the child, but also the self-esteem issues that can come from being an overweight youngster. Trim Kids provides 10 weeks of meal plans to get the child started in making healthy choices, both in food and in portion control. The final two weeks are designed to maintain accountability while letting the child demonstrate what he has learned about proper eating in the future. Trim Kids believes it is important to make exercise fun. Suggestions include allowing your child to watch television as long as she agrees to get up and exercise during each commercial. She can do anything she wants as long as she is actively moving during those three-to-five minute commercial breaks. The program also suggests challenging the child to walk every time she talks on the phone, without limiting phone time within reason. The child has to hang up, if she stops walking. It becomes a game and then becomes a habit; you may find that your child is walking a mile or more a day just to earn telephone privileges. Trim Kids is about lifestyle changes, that incorporate healthy food and fun movement. It also encourages parents to set an example and take part in the eating of healthy food as well as movement for a healthy body.
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers is conscious of a child's needs for calories and nutrients for growth and brain development; therefore, the company recommends that reduction in caloric intake be done gradually and that teaching the child to make better food choices will be more beneficial in the long run. Weight Watchers also encourages children to take part in a physical activity to burn calories and enhance fat burning metabolism.
Weight Loss Camps
Weight loss camps for children can be found throughout the nation. Weight loss camps allow overweight children to come together with others that have excess pounds and bond. The camps usually focus on healthy food choices and exercise. In addition, there are opportunities for talent shows, hiking, skill building and self-esteem building projects. Camps generally last three to four weeks and are resident camps to give the children the full benefit of camp and the development of developing new habits to take home with them.
