It’s a great idea, really.  You can send your child off to camp for the summer and they will return a brand new person; physically fit, full of energy and brimming with self confidence.  But like all great ideas, this method of treatment for childhood obesity has flaws and simply won’t work for every child. 

‘Fat Camp’ could be a wonderful experience for your child.  With professional counsellors, organized sports and doctor-approved diets, your child may very well lose weight and gain confidence at camp.  Relating with other children who face the same trials and tribulations as your child can be a big self esteem booster.  But what happens when your child returns home from their summer in a temptation-free seclusion?

 Sadly, if the proper measures are not put in place at home, your child may gain back the weight they lost (maybe more!).  It is critical to reinforce your child’s new behaviors when they return.  They experienced success at ‘Fat Camp’ because the temptation of overeating was taken away.  They grew accustomed to higher fiber, lower fat meals.  They participated in organized sports and physical activities on a daily basis.  Unless the environment in which your child became obese has changed, they are being set up for failure.

Does this mean you need to stock your refrigerator full of health foods, sign your child up for every team sport in town and monitor their diet constantly?  Of course not.  But you can take small measures to protect your child from the painful consequences, both physical and mental, of yo-yo weight gain (lose a bit, gain some… lose a bit, gain a lot more).

First of all, congratulate your child and recognize that losing weight was an accomplishment that they work very hard to achieve (whether they lost 5 lbs, or 25).  Just don’t celebrate with food!

Participate in activities with your child.  Sports and activities don’t have to be expensive; go for walks, set up a basketball net, take up cycling.  By exercising with your child, you are showing them that you care about their health as well as your own.  Spending time with them shows that you appreciate their efforts.

Remove temptations: rid the cupboards of candy and junk foods.  Take the time to prepare nutritious, balanced meals for the family.  Try to avoid ‘convenience’ foods; if you prepare a meal yourself, you know exactly what has gone into it and have much more control over the nutritional value.

If your child has experienced bullying, teasing or harassment, consider placing them in counselling when they return.  One great part of ‘Fat Camp’ is the well trained, specialized counsellors.  Your child may feel lost or alone when they return home and no longer have that support person to turn to. 

 Will these measures guarantee that your child will keep the weight off or continue their new behaviors at home?  Possibly not, but you can greatly increase your child’s chance at success and reduce the risk factors that led to their childhood obesity.