Fat Camp
Learn about why fat camps don't work and why the new healthy weight loss camps are so much more effective. more >>
Adirondack Leadership Expeditions
Adirondack Leadership Expeditions is a character development wilderness program for troubled teens that promotes personal growth through a focus on insight-oriented experiences. The forested, mountain setting removes urban distractions and simplifies options to help students gain insight into their core values and accept responsibility for their choices. Our wilderness program's nurturing approach helps participants address personal issues, achieve success in a safe environment, and develop their leadership potential.
Learn more about Adirondack Leadership Expeditions >>
A major study of three popular reducing diets found that none of them work very well over the long term.
Researchers had 322 moderately obese people follow (1) a low-fat diet recommended by the American Heart Association, (2) a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet known as the Atkins Diet, or (3) the Mediterranean Diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats like olive oil.
Within the first five months, the Atkins group lost fourteen pounds, and the other two groups ten each. However, two years later, the low-fat dieters had only kept off six pounds. The other two groups did better by maintaining a ten pound loss.
The good news was that even small weight losses improved the cholesterol and blood sugar readings of participants.
"Any diet approach works short-term," said a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, Lona Sandon, "because most weight is lost in the first six months."
The study was funded by the Atkins Foundation and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Return to the Teen Help Directory >>