Boarding Schools for Weight Loss
The number of overweight teenagers has tripled in the past twenty years, which means there are millions of teens who want to lose weight and are unhappy with their body size. The vast majority of them should not go to a boarding school for weight loss.
These specialized schools with their careful nutrition programs, exercise routines, and therapeutic interventions are set up for teenagers who are obese. In those cases, a weight problem can threaten health, put a teen at risk for diabetes, heart disease, joint problems, and even breathing and sleep disorders. Many obese teens develop psychological problems as they isolate themselves from their peers, endure feelings of low self-esteem, and cannot physically keep up with others. They have trouble finding appropriate clothes and participating in normal teen activities such as dancing and sports. They face teasing, bullying and ostracism. Some even develop suicidal ideations and severe depression.
Many of these teens have tried and failed at diets and other regimes. They may have enrolled in summer camps for weight loss, only to regain it back. Because of these past failures, obese teens need to be a weight-loss program that is sensible and flexible enough to last a lifetime. They need to develop skills to maintain their weight loss after they leave boarding school. A good program should involve educating families to help teens keep eating in a healthy way and keep exercising as a daily habit once they return home.
PROS
Many weight loss programs are for adults. Teens reduce better with other teens.
At a school specialized for weight loss, a teen can start exercising at his own level of physical ability without anyone ridiculing his efforts.
A good school will teach teens to develop life-long habits of good nutrition and exercise. The staff will include therapists to help the students who have underlying depression or other psychological problems.
Students get the boarding school advantage of superior academics.
CONS
Unless there is a follow-up program, a teen is in danger of gaining the weight back.
Because there are so few boarding schools for weight loss, most teens will have to live far away from home.
These schools are expensive, although many offer financial aid and loan programs.
Research Weight Loss Boarding Schools
