Weight Loss Programs for Children & Adolescents

Select weight loss programs for children and adolescents that focus on healthy lifestyle choices. Educating and practicing better choices is the best way to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight loss. Burn calories and eat healthy through weight loss camp programs or at-home family weight loss programs.

Weight Loss Camp

Sending your child to weight loss camp is one option to help children and adolescents lose weight. The staff supervises the youth to assure a healthy weight loss. The focus centers on building self esteem, learning about nutrition and health, and changing lifestyle patterns. The weight loss from this type of program generally remains after the children and adolescents return home. Life skills and improvement in mental health assures these youth continue making healthy and positive choices.

With focus on the children and adolescents beyond simple nutrition, weight loss camps are an advantageous weight loss program. Team building, education and an emphasis on mental health enable your child to continue with weight loss when he returns home. He will feel good about himself and be armed with new knowledge. He will have less chance of returning to old patterns that caused the initial weight gain.

Eat Smart and Play Hard Program

Many parents use the Eat Smart and Play Hard Program sponsored by the USDA Food and Nutrition Services. Ask your local pediatrician to give you information about the program. Use activities, coloring sheets and educational suggestions to help your child learn about healthy food choices and about staying active. This program focuses on the combination of exercise and proper nutrition. Children and adolescents have successful weight loss and change of lifestyles from involvement in this weight loss program.

Parents learn about shopping for foods, meal planning, family activities and tracking the progress. You can use their recipes to get your family started. There are many activities and resources available for the entire family to eat healthy and achieve active, fun lifestyles. Tools include a menu planning table, calorie burner chart and pyramid tracker for successful weight loss.

At-Home Family Weight Loss

Consider all of your options prior to placing a child or teen in a specific weight loss program. Active lifestyles and healthy eating are the goals of weight loss. Become a role model for your child. For example, order sliced apples instead of chips or fries when eating out. Focus on lifestyle choices instead of calories and taking away foods.

Provide nutritious food choices in your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. For example, buy fruits, nuts, yogurt and string cheese for snacks. Children don't buy their groceries. Adults are responsible for making available the food choices that are healthy and in the food pyramid to meet nutritional needs.

Take children and adolescents to the park to play Frisbee or go on a nature hike. Hold a scavenger hunt in your yard each weekend and make it a family tradition. Spend weekly time together riding bikes in your neighborhood or have a nightly family walk after dinner. Provide activities and encourage an active lifestyle with new traditions. The additional exercise will reduce weight without youth feeling they're being forced to exercise.