The teenage fat camp
Former Army instructors will deliver short, sharp shock to obese youths
SCOTLAND’S first ‘fat camp’ for overweight children is being launched this summer in a drastic attempt to tackle the nation’s obesity crisis.
Dozens of youngsters are expected to attend the six-day scheme, which is similar to fat camps in the US.
The strict military-style regime will include daily outdoor exercises and children, some as young as 12, will be banned from taking in sweets.
Any treats smuggled from home will be confiscated, while children will spend up to six hours a day walking, running and swimming under the supervision of former army and navy personnel.
Similar camps are popular in the United States, one of the few countries with a worse obesity problem than Scotland.
The £645-a-week scheme is aimed at busy, middle-class parents. Initially families will meet the cost themselves but future camps could see children’s places funded by the NHS.
Last night experts said the move could prove helpful, but warned the ‘short, sharp shock’ approach would be a waste of time if families did not continue to impose strict controls.
One third of Scottish children are
‘It is about raising their self confidence’
overweight, meaning huge problems are being stored up for the future.
The project, for 12-17-year-olds, is being launched by Scottish Boot Camp, a firm which runs military-style fitness courses at a private estate near Dornoch, Sutherland.
Yesterday director Sara Dwyer said: ‘There is a massive obesity crisis in Scotland and it is getting worse. We have been running boot camps for adults for some time and they are really popular.
‘The teenage camp is following the well-established US model where overweight children go to boot camp during the summer; it is mainstream there and it works. I know there is a massive need for it in Scotland.
‘The emphasis will be on fun. We are not going to drag them up a Munro, and we are not going to criticise them. It’s about raising their self-confidence, increasing their fitness and helping them lose weight.’
After being woken at 7am each day, children will participate in a range of physical activities, including dancing, ball sports, assault courses, walking, swimming, abseiling and hiking. They will also get cookery lessons and be served meals such as wholemeal pizza, ‘healthy’ chips baked in oil, casseroles, stews and soups.
Modest puddings such as low-sugar jelly and fruit cakes will be served, but ‘contraband’ such as biscuits or crisps from home will be confiscated.
Families will be given lessons on how to continue the diet and exercise regime at home.
Mrs Dwyer has already had a number of enquiries about the course, which runs from August 5-10.
Similar schemes in England have seen health boards ‘refer’ children for boot camp courses paid for by the NHS, and Scottish Boot Camp is also planning to ask local boards to consider this.
But Tam Fry, spokesman for the National Obesity Forum, voiced his concerns.
He said: ‘Boot camps are a useful tool in getting children off the couch, better than just putting a child on a diet, but they only work if there is a long-term resolution to keep going.
‘The problem with a short, sharp shock is that people can go home and say “phew, that was tough” and sit back down on the couch.
‘It will be a waste of time if the resolution is inadequate, so getting the whole family involved is fundamental to continue the benefit, but this is easier said than done.’
However Professor Andrew Hill, a child obesity expert and independent researcher at the University of Leeds, who has evaluated similar schemes in England, said that most children would benefit.
He added: ‘It is a predominantly positive experience for most kids, in terms of self-esteem and activity.
‘They try new things and get better at them when previously they have thought of themselves as useless lumps.’