What happened to the children who went to fat camps: They’ve fallen out of favour – but Destiny says her stint changed her life. Now, as childhood obesity soars, is it time to bring them back?

The Impact of Fat Camps on Children: A Shift in Favor and Destiny’s Life-Changing Experience

Destiny Deakin, now 25, exudes a polished fitness persona with her blonde locks and toned physique. Standing at 5ft 8in, she maintains a weight of 9st 5lb, a size eight that reflects a consistent commitment to daily exercise and mindful nutrition. Yet, this routine was not always her reality—years ago, her struggles with weight were far more pronounced.

At 12, Destiny weighed 14.5 stone, a figure that placed her in the adult size 18 category. This led to relentless teasing at school, where she was cruelly nicknamed “beefburger girl.” The emotional toll was significant, and her self-esteem suffered under the weight of constant judgment. However, a pivotal moment arrived when she enrolled in a two-month residential weight-loss program between the ages of 12 and 14. The initiative, known as MoreLife, based in Bradford, focused on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes, helping her shed a total of two stone.

Destiny’s experience with MoreLife was featured in a BBCThree documentary titled *I Know What You Weighed Last Summer*, which aired a decade ago. The program, once a staple in the UK, has since lost popularity. Critics, particularly in the US where “fat camps” are more prevalent, argue that such programs can foster stigma and psychological distress. Despite this, Destiny insists that her time at the camp was a turning point, enabling her to rebuild her health and adopt lasting habits.

Official data reveals that one in ten children in England are obese by the time they begin school, a figure that rises to one in five by secondary education. Research indicates that these children face a fivefold chance of remaining overweight into adulthood, escalating their risk of conditions like Type 2 diabetes and heart disease. While medical professionals increasingly rely on injections and surgery to address the issue, some question whether these interventions have overshadowed lifestyle-based solutions like fat camps.

“Kids would mock me, calling me fat or ‘beefburger girl.’ I’d hide my sadness, but after school, I’d spend my allowance on sweets and energy drinks, then toss the wrappers in the bin to keep my mum from noticing,” Destiny recalls. “She’d send me to class with fruit, but I’d leave it untouched, just to avoid confrontation.”

Destiny often spent time at her grandmother’s house, where she admits indulging in “literally whatever I wanted.” This included fizzy drinks, crisps, and pizzas, which she eagerly consumed during summer breaks. When the idea of attending a fat camp was first proposed, she resisted, fearing the loss of these treats. “I knew if I went, I’d have to give up all that,” she says.

Today, the debate over fat camps continues. While some argue they are outdated, others like Destiny believe they offer a crucial path to long-term change. With childhood obesity rates climbing, the question remains: should these programs be reconsidered as a vital tool in the fight against obesity?