For the launch of its camp program, Healthy Living Academies assembled an advisory board consisting of experts in pediatric obesity.
These board members included Kelly D. Brownell, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of Psychology at Yale University and Director of the Yale Center for Eating and Weight Disorders; Georgia Kostas, MPH, RD, Director of Nutrition at the Cooper Clinic, Dallas and author of The Cooper Clinic Solution to the Diet Revolution; Melinda Sothern, PhD, of Louisiana State University Health Sciences and Pennington Centers, and author of Trim Kids, The Proven 12-Week Plan That Has Helped Thousands of Children Achieve a Healthier Weight; and Dennis Styne, MD, Rumsey Chair of Pediatric Endocrinology at the University of California, Davis, a pediatric endocrinologist who specializes in pediatric obesity and its complications.
[3] The Wellspring Plan was based on the belief that simple, clear, and easily measured goals helped clients stay focused.
[7] Wellspring employed Masters- and Doctoral-level therapists (called behavioral coaches) to provide both one-on-one and group therapy sessions for campers.
[8] Behavioral Coaches also stayed in regular contact with families and campers for the year following camp as part of Wellspring's Continuing Care Program.
Many physicians and dietitians, including the director of the obesity program at Boston Children's Hospital, Dr. Robert Ludwig, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist, criticized their low to zero fat approach and questioned how successful Wellspring was in creating long term weight loss results.
[5] Additionally, Ludwig said that he was particularly worried about the effect on vulnerable teenagers who regain weight after their families have sacrificed so much financially to send them to Wellspring.