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Category: Nutrition

It’s Never Too Soon for a Weight Loss Program for Kids in North America

Weight Loss Program for Kids in North America
No time is the wrong time to teach our children the importance of a healthy diet. As North Americans, we celebrate a number of festive holidays throughout the year seemingly centered around eating. How many times are the words, 'I ate too much' heard after a meal; with the individual proceeding to lay on the couch instead of going for a walk. If your kids are showing signs of overeating, lack of physical activity or obesity, it may be time to consider an extremely effective weight loss program for kids in North America. Weight Loss Program for Kids in North America Although weight loss is likely to occur during any program, in an effective program, the child may not even realize it is happening. Not being a typical 'fat camp', the focus should be the changing of unhealthy behaviors, learning about making good food choices and the participation in healthy activities. In essence, these kids will embark on a journey to health, wellness and nutrition. Following an initial medical assessment, students will be given the time to understand they are responsible for their own actions and the consequences of those actions. With this in mind they will be empowered to make the changes necessary for a healthier lifestyle. Meeting other kids of similar age and circumstance from around the world will build friendships and a support group that will last a lifetime. Participating in wilderness treks, students will discover skills and abilities they were never aware they possessed; they will learn new skills as they learn to find and prepare their own holistic foods, their own shelter and overcome many of life's natural obstacles. Through daily counseling with certified therapists, any underlying emotional concerns which may trigger overeating will be identified and attended to; treating the whole individual and not just the symptoms. With the involvement and continuous support of family, these kids will return home with a sense of confidence, self-esteem and a wealth of knowledge on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. For more information regarding our weight loss program for kids in North America, give us a call today at Rites of Passage, NW Wilderness Therapy, (800)794-0980.

Negative Impact of Fad Dieting & How Weight Loss Programs for Teens is a Better Option

Obesity Health an Wellness Camp for Kids in North America

The Dangerous Impact Your Fad Dieting is Having on Your Teen

Fad diets, those that promise a quick fix and rapid weight loss, usually sound too good to be true—because they are. At best, fad diets are a temporary solution. They promise instant gratification without the ability to deliver long-term success. At their worst, fad diets contribute to serious emotional and physical health issues, especially in children and teens. Parents who are constant fad dieters need to be aware of the potentially dangerous effects that these practices are having on their children. When weight loss is involved, being safe and healthy should always be the primary consideration, and effective weight loss programs for teens may be a better option which can produce more long term results and lead to a healthier lifestyle.

What is a fad diet?

Fad diets are those diets that become quickly popular with the promise of speedy weight loss and require very little work. While a handful may provide short-term results, most fail to provide nutritional value and do not fulfill caloric intake needs. They may require or restrict particular foods, and they may involve taking additional pills or supplements. Most importantly, they are not sustainable and they do not deliver long-term success.

How to spot a fad diet.

Fad diets typically:

  • Label particular foods as “good” and “bad”
  • Make dramatic statements that are rejected by reputable scientific groups
  • Have endorsements that are based on a single study or testimony
  • Oversimplify complex research
  • Refer to studies that have not been reviewed by independent experts
  • Eliminate one or more food group
  • Try to sell a product

Fad dieting can have a dangerous impact on a child or teen’s emotional and physical wellbeing.

Fad dieting has the potential to impact the parent-child relationship and the family dynamic negatively, first, because the food choices that a parent makes for himself or herself usually are made for the child as well, and second, because children model the behavior of their parents.

Dieting in general teaches children and teens to feel shame about eating certain foods—leading to a poor self-image and unhealthy eating habits (such as binging), or an eating disorder (like bulimia or anorexia). Classifying certain foods as “good” or “bad” may help to endorse unhealthy thoughts such as, “this cupcake is bad, so I am bad if I eat it.” When a fad diet promises to deliver and then doesn’t work, the person can feel like a failure, further contributing to body image issues.

Switching to a healthy lifestyle has greater long-term physical and emotional benefits.

A meal plan that satisfies nutritional and caloric requirements is a better way to achieve long-term results. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests that a healthy approach to a well balanced diet should focus on moderation, portion size, and physical activity, and should be tailored to the family’s schedule and lifestyle. A small amount of energy spent planning meals and snacks for the week can eliminate the need to resort to fast, unhealthy choices.

Shedding pounds should not be the main focus. It is most important to concentrate on the overall pattern of the family diet and the foods that are eaten. Moderation and a choice of healthy options is key, especially for children and teens.

The focus should be on feeling good and maintaining overall good health, not about losing weight. A healthy lifestyle that incorporates a holistic diet will produce lasting physical results, as well as an improved emotional state.
For this reason, weight loss programs for teens, such as the many programs offered by Rites of Passage, should be considered prior to attempting any fad dieting. Call us today at (800)794-0980 to learn more.

Weight Loss Treatment Program: Obesity and Overall Health

Obesity: Dangerous to More Than Just Your Physical Health

Medical and healthcare professionals now agree that mental illness and obesity are closely related. The mental and emotional side effects that follow from obesity are just as detrimental as the long-term health repercussions. Treatment must focus on the underlying mental issues that cause, and stem from, obesity, rather than solely on only weight loss. An effective weight loss treatment program such as wilderness therapy which encompasses both body and mind is typically the best approach to consider.

Suffering from obesity causes an individual to be more susceptible to developing related mental health problems because many of the underlying factors are the same. Those who suffer from obesity have an increased 30% risk of having a mental illness. Mental illness increases the risk of obesity by two to three times. More dangerously, a person diagnosed with a serious mental illness has an increased risk of almost 40% of dying from an obesity related issue, like diabetes or coronary heart disease.

The mental health outcomes related to obesity can be more dangerous than the long-term medical problems that arise.

Being overweight comes with a range of emotional issues that bring about mental illness. Specifically, obesity can lead to depression, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, anxiety, and many other problems.

The emotional side effects of obesity include:

  • Low self esteem
  • Lack of motivation
  • Lack of desire to be physically active
  • Feelings of isolation
  • Impulses to cause self harm

The connection between mental illness and obesity can be a vicious cycle.

Obesity and mental illness relate to each another in the way that they both contribute to, and result from, the other. Depression is linked to weight gain, which can lower self-esteem, in turn increasing feelings of depression and continuing the cycle. Just as obesity can worsen the symptoms associated with depression, treating obesity is a preventative measure against depression. The same is true in the other direction. The side effects of depression are contributors to obesity, but treating depression is a preventative measure against obesity. Thus, any treatment of obesity that focuses solely on weight loss and does not address this connection will not have long-term success.

A successful treatment program must look at treating the underlying emotional issues associated with obesity.

The mind and body work in tandem, and the healthy management of one must include the other. Wilderness therapy is a multi-dimensional approach to treatment that addresses the underlying obesity issues through a combination of physical activity, holistic nutrition and therapy. The all-at-once approach to treating physical and mental issues at the same time is significantly more successful because the positive changes made to the mind impact the body, and visa versa.

The elements of wilderness therapy work together to produce positive results in a peer supported environment. In wilderness therapy, weight loss and physical health improvements are the outcomes of improved mental health. Improved mental health is also an outcome of the outdoor physical activity that comes with an adventure-based program. The wilderness setting lends itself to a multi-dimensional therapeutic approach because of the kind of environment that it is. It offers comprehensive and effective solutions to treating obesity and mental health by recognizing that the two are closely related, and by educating participants on ways to manage both issues together moving forward.

Wilderness therapy is an effective weight loss treatment program and encompasses treatment for both the body and the mind. Call Rites of Passage Wilderness at (800)794-0980 to learn more.

Improving Nutrition thorough a Wilderness Therapy Program

Weight Loss Camp for Teens in North America - USA

How Improved Nutrition through a Wilderness Therapy Program Leads to Improved Behavior

Diet and nutrition are key components to a wilderness therapy program. It is a fact that our ability to think rationally and make good choices is affected by the foods we eat. Poor diet and nutrition can contribute to a host of behavioral and mental afflictions. It can also be mistaken for them. A person suffering from poor nutrition can manifest the same symptoms as ADHD, autism, depression and oppositional defiant disorder, among others. Integrating a structured meal plan based on holistic nutrition into a wilderness therapy program is crucial to recovery. 

Fast food, soda, candy and ready-to-eat meals are part of society’s daily norm. While eating these types of foods may be convenient and temporarily satisfying, the consumption of them on a regular basis can be downright dangerous. Processed foods, food additives (such as MSG), food dyes, high sugar intake and nutrient deficiencies have all been shown to have a direct negative impact on a person’s behavior and cognitive abilities. 

Poor diet and nutrition can result in:

  • Aggression and violent behavior
  • Hyperactivity
  • Low concentration levels
  • Irritability or mood swings
  • Short attention span
  • Digestion problems
  • Decreased cognitive abilities
  • Fatigue
  • Drowsiness
  • Palpitations

Wilderness therapy includes a nutrition and diet program that promotes healthy holistic eating. Participants need to be well nourished for the physical and emotional challenges that wilderness therapy brings. The brain and the body require specific nutrients to properly function and holistic whole foods can best provide this. Holistic food is unprocessed, without additives, artificial enrichment or fortification and aids in healing and detoxing the body from processed foods and other unnatural chemicals. 

The dietary program associated with a wilderness therapy regulates the participant’s system through routine. Over just a short period of time, a correlation can be seen between proper nutrition and improvements in behavior. 

Simple healthy holistic food can benefit a person in the following way:

  • An increase in energy
  • Balanced mood
  • Ability to make sound decisions
  • Stronger will power
  • A healthier physical appearance (glowing skin and hair, muscle tone, clear eyes)

Wilderness therapy provides the foundation for making better dietary choices moving forward. The overreaching goal is to maintain and build upon the habits learned in wilderness therapy. A crucial part of continued recovery will involve maintaining the healthy eating habits that come with the wilderness therapy experience. A change in the dietary plan at home is the best way to ensure these positive changes are long lasting.

Behavioral and mental issues are exasperated by poor diet. Wilderness therapy works to educate participants on the benefits of making healthy dietary choices and the impact it can have to their own mental and behavioral wellbeing. While participants may initially be reluctant to embrace a holistic diet, the positive changes they notice in their bodies motivate them to continue the practices learned in a wilderness therapy program to make healthier future choices involving diet and nutrition.

For insight on nutrition and to learn about how truly beneficial a wilderness therapy program can be, call Rites of Passage Wilderness at (800)794-0980.

Holistic Lifestyle and Gluten-Free

Camp for Overweight Teenagers in North America - USA

What You Need to Know About Gluten and Mental Health

Many behavioral and mental issues are associated with dietary habits, and gluten has gained the overwhelming spotlight. Recent investigation into the effects of gluten-free diets suggests that many of these issues can be improved by altering dietary practices to choose gluten-free or gluten-restricted food. ADHD, depression, anxiety, and autism are among some of the disorders that can benefit from choosing a more holistic lifestyle,and gluten-free diet.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in foods processed from wheat and other cereal grains such as rye, barley and spelt.  It is a glue-like substance used to give foods their doughiness and texture. Common foods containing gluten include pasta, couscous, bread, cookies, cereal, beer, gravy, crackers, dressings and even candy.

Problems with gluten range from gluten-insensitivity to celiac disease. Approximately one in 100 suffer from celiac disease and even more are sensitive to ingesting gluten. Gluten intolerance or sensitivity leads to a variety of emotional and physical discomforts. Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the small intestine and prevents the absorption of nutrients from food.

The side effects associated with gluten intolerance and celiac disease include:

  • Irritability
  • Fatigue
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Hyperactivity
  • Lack of energy
  • Loss of appetite
  • Poor motor skills
  • Weight problems
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Diarrhea
  • Joint or muscle pain

Evidence suggests that gluten intolerance may be at the root of many behavioral and mental disorders. It has been linked to:

Many of the symptoms that underlie gluten intolerance and celiac disease are common to behavioral and emotional issues

For instance, irritability, hyperactivity and the inability to focus are symptoms that ADHD and gluten intolerance share. Muscle pain, fatigue and sleeping problems are common symptoms of both depression and gluten intolerance. Thus, a diet that eliminates or reduces the amount of gluten ingested can also serve to alleviate the symptoms associated with other disorders.

Switching to a holistic or gluten-free diet has been found to improve behavioral issues and cognitive functioning in troubled teens and young adults.

However, it is important to determine whether or not an individual suffers from gluten intolerance before making the switch to a gluten-free diet. Many gluten containing foods are rich in nutrients, and removing these foods from one’s diet means that these vitamins and minerals need to be replaced by incorporating other sources of nourishment. A nutritionist can help determine which options are right based on individual factors. Going gluten-free may be difficult at first, considering the prevalence of processed foods in today’s current dietary practices, but it can have many benefits that include increased physical and mental health. 

To learn more about living a more Holistic Lifestyle and started a gluten-free diet, contact Rites of Passage Wilderness at (800)794-0980.

Benefits of a Holistic Diet Plan

The Case Against Sugar

Sugar makes up a large part of the standard North-American diet. Only recently have we begun to understand the impacts that the overconsumption of sugar is having on our brains and bodies, causing many to make comparisons between sugar and the chemical effects of addictive drugs, alcohol and tobacco. In some cases, a more healthy holistic diet plan should be considered.

Sugar consumption on the rise

What was once a luxury item, sugar has become an inexpensive and prominent part of today’s average diet. Annual per capita sugar consumption is at the highest it has ever been. Sugar is a blanket term used to describe a class of molecules called carbohydrates, which includes: glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, lactose, dextrose, starch, high fructose corn syrup, honey and raw sugar. Some form of sugar is found in almost all of the packaged and processed foods that we eat. The purpose of refined sugar, like sucrose, is to add sweet flavor to foods; it is devoid of any nutritional content.

The effects of sugar on the brain and body

The overconsumption of sugar impacts the brain and body in many negative ways. Sugar prevents blood sugar levels from remaining stable, leading to hypertension. It causes an overproduction of insulin, which can increase a person’s chance of developing diabetes. It dangerously interferes with the appropriate release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter related to reward and pleasure.

Sugar consumption is also associated with weight gain. It causes an increase in the production of uric acid, which can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure. Sugar also changes the way that your brain thinks about consumption. Leptin, a hormone that regulates metabolism and appetite, is not able to do its job, causing individuals to overeat or binge. Eating large amounts of sugar increases fat production, which in turn places an incredible amount of stress on the liver. This can result in the development of fatty liver disease. High blood sugar levels are also linked to cognitive impairment.

Sugar consumption is also connected to a host of behavioral and mental disorders. High sugar intake can amplify the symptoms associated with:

Sugar addiction

Although a somewhat controversial stance, evidence is building to suggest that sugar has the potential to become addictive. Increased sugar intake raises the production of dopamine, and this activation of the body’s reward system is similar to that of alcohol use, tobacco use, drug use, and sex. Just as nicotine, heroin and cocaine send dopamine into overdrive, so too does sugar, although not to the same violent degree. Over time, the body begins to crave the feelings associated with sugar consumption, fuelling an individual to eat more. The symptoms of withdrawal are also similar to that of drug and alcohol withdrawal.

These symptoms include:

  • Hunger
  • Headaches
  • Mood swings or irritability
  • Insomnia
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Nausea

Removing sugar in favor of a holistic diet

Making the switch to a healthy holistic diet can work to alleviate all of the problems associated with the overconsumption of sugar. While it may seem impossible for some, given the demands of a busy life and the availability of processed foods, a holistic diet greatly improves cognitive functioning and physical health. Brain chemicals become properly regulated and the mind and body are able to operate optimally.

Not all sugar is removed when a holistic diet is adopted. Natural sugar can be consumed as part of a healthy diet. The naturally occurring sugar found in fruits is different than the sugar found in processed foods. Sugar in the form of natural fructose can provide the body with energy, provided it is not over consumed. Fruit sugar contains fibre, which helps the body to regulate appetite. It is only when sugar is processed that the fiber is stripped from it, eliminating this benefit.

Eradicating sugar may seem impossible for some, but an individual can read labels, check the sugar content of packaged foods and remain aware about what goes into their body. The benefits of a sugar-restrictive diet far outweigh the efforts it takes to remain diligent. 

When considering a healthier lifestyle and want to know more about cutting sugar and transitioning to a holistic diet plan and lifestyle, contact Rights of Passage Wilderness at (800)794-0980.

How To Fight Depression With Healthy Eating and Exercise

Almost everyone feels depressed at some time, but when these feelings begin to negatively impact daily life it is time to address the source of the problem. Diet and exercise play a significant role in both contributing to feelings of depression and also in alleviating the symptoms. When trying to best determine how to fight depression, a healthy diet and regular exercise is a key component to successfully managing a depressive disorder.

What is depression?

Depression is a serious illness affecting both the body and mind. When feelings of sadness and hopelessness turn to overwhelming despair, and extend past the point of being able to engage positively in daily life, depression may be the cause. There are many forms of depressive disorders, including: seasonal affective disorder (SAD), bipolar disorder and dysthymic disorder.

The general symptoms of depression are:

  • Continual feelings of sadness, anxiety or emptiness
  • Negative feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
  • Thoughts of helplessness, worthlessness or guilt
  • Irritability and restlessness
  • Loss of interest in hobbies and activities
  • Fatigue and decreased energy
  • Inability to concentrate or remember
  • Insomnia or excessive sleeping
  • Dietary problems
  • Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
  • Aches, pains, headaches, muscle cramps

The underlying causes of depression are a combination of factors that are genetic, environmental and circumstantial, and are influenced by diet, activity level, family history, medical past, social conditions and life events.

The effects of poor nutrition and lack of exercise on depression

Poor diet and lack of physical activity aggravate the symptoms that cause depression. Ingesting high quantities of sugar, gluten, food additives and processed foods hinder the body’s ability to regulate brain chemistry and manage the feelings associated with depression.  Serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that directs messages within the brain and body, are affected by diet and exercise. As are dopamine and cortisol—the brain chemicals associated with pleasure and reward and stress—thus contributing to feelings of fatigue, decreased energy, mental confusion and sadness.

Making the switch to a regular exercise plan and holistic diet is a significant factor in treating and managing depression.

Proper diet and exercise allow the brain to create and regulate the appropriate amount of serotonin, dopamine and cortisol, which affect nearly every symptom associated with depression. In some instances, a positive change in diet and exercise results in the disappearance of symptoms, suggesting that diet and physical activity can be the most significant factors contributing to depression in some individuals.

Wilderness therapy combines physical activity and holistic nutrition with traditional therapeutic methods, and is an extremely effective way of treating depression.

Fresh air and sunlight, which help to alleviate feelings of depression, are also part of the natural setting of wilderness therapy. In combination with cognitive and behavioral therapies, the diet and exercise plan that comes with wilderness therapy is directed towards empowering participants to carry forward changes made in treatment. Hiking, carrying equipment and the physical challenges that come from living in nature are combined with a diet focused around holistic nutrition. It is not long before participants start to see the dramatic effects that diet and exercise can have on their body and mind, and find continuing these habits in aftercare instrumental in allowing them to self-manage their symptoms.

Rites of Passage can help to teach how to fight depression in a safe and healthy way. Call us at (800)794-0980 to learn more about our programs.

 

Can I Manage ADHD Through Diet and Exercise? ADHD Treatment Programs

Obesity Health and Wellness Camp for Kids in the USA

Poor diet and lack of exercise can intensify the symptoms of ADHD. Making the switch to a holistic diet and partaking in regular physical activity drastically reduces, and in some cases eliminates, the underlying indicators of ADHD. Individuals who follow a healthy diet and exercise plan are able to better manage their ADHD. When it comes to effective, ADHD Treatment Programs, Wilderness therapy, is also considered to be a highly effective solution.

ADHD

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting over six million American youths—almost 10% of school children—many of which carry it forward into adulthood. ADHD is categorized into three types, which are:

  • Inattentive ADHD (formerly known as ADD)
  • Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD
  • Combined ADHD

The symptoms used to diagnose ADHD can manifest in a variety of combinations within an individual. Those who suffer from ADHD exhibit their symptoms over an extended period of time, and to a degree that they begin to interfere with the individual’s mental development and ability to interact socially.

ADHD and the effects of poor diet

ADHD is made better or worse with diet. Processed foods, gluten, sugar, artificial coloring and flavoring, lack of vitamins and minerals, all inflate the symptoms of ADHD. Lack of physical activity only adds to the problem. A successful approach to treatment must take this into account.

Sugar: Hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity are all increased with the intake of refined sugars. Sugar deprives the body of vitamins and minerals and prevents blood sugar levels from remaining stable.

Gluten: Many psychological and behavioral symptoms of gluten intolerance overlap with the indicators for ADHD, such as irritability and feeling fidgety. Removing gluten from the diet has resulted in significant improvements in behavior and ability to think.

Artificial Coloring/ Food dyes: Some studies have indicated that ingesting food dyes can trigger or exaggerate the symptoms of ADHD, particularly red dyes.  Eliminating food dye has been shown in some children to lessen the symptoms, especially hyperactivity.

Lack of vitamins and minerals: With the current average diet, most children are deficient in vitamins and minerals. B6 is needed to make and use the brain chemicals serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine—all chemicals that are out of balance in ADHD sufferers. Magnesium deficiency is characterized by irritability, decreased attention span and confusion, which again are underlying symptoms of ADHD. Omega-3 fatty acids are related to cognitive functioning. Zinc regulates brain activity and melatonin, which is linked to behavior. Addressing vitamin and mineral deficiencies in a child can have positive impacts on reducing the symptoms of ADHD.

Physical Activity: Exercising outdoors is extremely beneficial to sufferers of ADHD. Sunshine, air, and exercise relieves stress, boosts mood, calms the mind and reduces feelings of aggression, all of which help to manage ADHD. Regular exercise also works to directly impact the symptoms of ADHD by improving alertness, concentration and general cognitive abilities.

The introduction of proper diet and physical activity is an effective remedy in lessening, and even eliminating, the symptoms of ADHD. Under the appropriate guidance of medical and health professionals, it is possible that proper diet and exercise can sometimes even replace medication. Depending on the individual circumstances, a significant lifestyle change can replace the need for medication if the underlying cause of the ADHD is predominately environmental.

Wilderness therapy is highly effective in treating ADHD by incorporating holistic nutrition and physical activity into the overall program.

ADHD is a complicated disorder in which environmental and nutritional factors play major roles. Wilderness therapy is an effective tool in treating and managing ADHD because it addresses both these factors, as well as the behavioral aspects, in its all-encompassing approach to treatment. The improvements that individuals feel and their increased ability to self-manage when they are following a holistic dietary plan and engage in physical activity is motivation for individuals to continue making healthy food choices when they return home.

When seeking natural ADHD Treatment Programs, Wilderness therapy, can be an excellent solution. Call Rites of Passage today at (800)794-0980 to learn how we can help.