First College Weight Loss Program Offers College Credits

According to a Nov. 12 press release, Academy of the Sierras (AOS) was the first boarding school for overweight adolescents. Located in Reedley, California, AOS now has opened the AOS College Program, which will give young college students a chance to pursue their post high school education while participating in a recognized and proven weight loss program.

Dr. Daniel Kirschenbaum, a professor at Northwestern University Medical School, says that "a recent national survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control showed that college students increased their rates of obesity more dramatically than any other age group - a 68% increase during the 1990s. Apparently, many college students develop especially poor nutritional and activity patterns, according to the most recent National College Health Risk Behavior Survey."

In a 2004 online article, "Obesity on College Campuses Continues to Rise Rapidly," writer Charlae Washington says that obesity rates in college students have doubled over the past 10 years. Contributing to this alarming statistic is the fact that more and more colleges and universities are contracting with fast food chains and marketers of junk food. Further, says Washington, availability of fresh and healthy food is lacking on campus, as is nutritional education about the connection between unhealthy food choices and health problems later in life, including obesity.

In their treatment of overweight adolescents, AOS has demonstrated exceptional weight loss outcomes. It is not unusual for a typical adolescent to lose 80 lbs. over the 7-month enrollment period. Further, maintaining their weight loss has also shown good results.

For students in the new AOS College Program, they will enroll for a minimum of one semester at nearby Reedley College. During this time, they will live on the AOS campus and participate in the "Sierras Solution" program. The essence of the program involves an immersion environment that changes the way students think about diet and activity. Specifically, it involves a proper diet program, activity management, training on core self-regulatory behaviors necessary for life-long weight control and cognitive-behavioral therapy. AOS is also quick to point out on their website that they are not a fat farm or camp, and they do not promote obesity surgery.

Phil Obbard is the executive director of AOS. He says that the "college environment and the freedom it brings are often problematic for students, as some establish lifestyles that can negatively impact their physical, psychological and even vocational futures." The AOS College Program "provides students with a path to a healthy weight and lifestyle while they start or continue college and transition into adulthood. We focus both on practical skills, like culinary and fitness classes, as well as critical behavioral components shared by all successful long-term weight controllers," he said.

Sources:

Press release, First College Weight Loss Program Opens in California; http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/11/prweb568474.htm

AOS; http://www.academyofthesierras.com/

Article, "Obesity on College Campuses Continues to Rise Rapidly;" http://media.www.thehilltoponline.com/media/storage/paper590/news/2004/11/09/LifeStyle/Obesity.On.College.Campuses.Continues.To.Rise.Rapidly-798030.shtml