We’ve all heard of the rising obesity rate in children…it’s not an opinion, it’s a fact. It’s actually rising in adults and teens but let’s just talk about children, too young to drive. If a child is too young to drive, where do they get the source of their food? It has to be from the parent bringing the food into the home, right?
It’s The School System’s Fault! No, it’s not! Yes, it is! No, it’s not!
I’ve read numerous articles on this and find that some parents blame the schools for serving unhealthy lunches. But then there’s the parents who DON’T want anyone dictating what is served in the schools. My thought is that they can’t possibly be eating that much at lunch because they don’t have that long of a lunch period, especially after standing in line so we can’t put all the blame on schools.
I myself was heavy from third grade to the year I graduated from high school and I remember what it was like to be teased about my weight. And when I got older, I did question my mom as to why she didn’t encourage me to eat healthier or lose weight and her response was, she didn’t think of me as fat or even questioned that I might be unhappy (I was good at putting on a smile and having a “great” personality.)
Food as Reward/Pacifier
I personally know of a lot of children who get treats or snacks (not healthy ones) when they behave, “need” to be bribed, spend time with divorced parents (who “treat” them to a “special” occasion), or just when the parent wants them to be quiet. I don’t think it’s wrong to occasionally go to McDonald’s or some other fast food place…an occasional Happy Meal isn’t what makes children heavy…eating it two to four times a week will though. Eating M&M’s every once in a while isn’t going to make them heavy either.
Lack of exercise, eating too much fast food, not eating fruits and vegetables (and learning to LIKE them), and not learning other ways of coping (eating under stress, when you’re sad, when you’re angry, etc.)….and aren’t the parents the ones who teach their children nutrition and healthy lifestyles?
Healthy Food Costs Too Much
I’ve also read a lot of comments where parents who have heavy or obese children say that it’s because healthy food costs too much….I’m sorry but a baked potato cost less than a candy bar. You can get any type of “greens” for the same price as a soft drink. A serving of mac and cheese with a vegetable isn’t going to cost more than a burger and is still healthier and I know of a website (ha) that shows how you can make a homemade meal for a family of four for under $10!
Parental Examples/Excuses
Are we, as parents, lazier than our own parents were? Overworked? Do we spend more time inside than outside, thus teaching by example to be more sedentary? Sure, some people do have genetic issues but the friends I have had in the past who have been more than 50 pounds overweight and said they had a thyroid problem had never actually had their thyroid tested.
My husband says I get “riled up” about this topic and I do, because once again, I remember being the “fat” kid in class and it wasn’t fun! No matter how big my smile or loud my laugh was.
I’m not saying I’m a perfect parent but I introduced vegetables way before my son ever had a taste of sugar. We ordered salads at McDonald’s along with a small burger. Sodas weren’t in the fridge and if I made something for dinner, at least one bite had to be taken and I didn’t make something different for everyone. When my son was 2 and 3 and wouldn’t eat, our pediatrician said he’d eat when he got hungry enough to and wouldn’t starve. And he didn’t have to clean his plate! We didn’t have a dessert every evening and he was made to go out and play…there was a limit on TV and video time. And if he didn’t like it and threw a fit, he went to his room and I went to mine (because by then we both needed a “time out”. Was it easy….heck no! Did I give in occasionally? YES! But not on a regular basis. We set our children up from an early age as to what is acceptable and what’s not.
I certainly don’t think parents are “responsible” for how all children turn out. We all read of how parents who do everything “right’, still have children who stray and end up in trouble or worse. But if we teach them at an early age, won’t they have better skills in managing their weight as they get older? And once you become an adult with a life-time of unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise, it’s harder to lose it.
So, if our children are getting heavier and the obesity rate is rising….who/what is responsible? What do you think?
To a large degree parents are responsible by giving kids lots of junk. However, I think the government has caused obesity with their food pyramid (now sectioned plate). They recommend way too many carbs and the idea that there could be a “one size fits all” approach to eating. While some people remain slender eating that way, many people actually gain weight from restricting protein and fat like that. I was a nice size even after having my kids. Then the food pyramid came out. I followed it using “healthy” whole grains and lots of fruits and veggies. We had very little sugar; it was mostly whole food. And I went from being average to obese. I recently went back to my old style of eating. I have lost 25 pounds so far and, in spite of all the meat I am eating, my lipids are all down to normal. When I hear that the government has, through the School Lunch Program, restricted meat intake to two ounces for a growing child, it makes me livid.
Florence…First of all, congrats on the 25 lb weight loss AND getting your lipids down. I agree that a “one size fits all” approach doesn’t work…our bodies are all different. I cut out all fats one time and my hair became dull, my skin was super dry and I just looked unhealthy. Thanks for your input! I also found that when I cut too many calories, I actually gained weight.
The food we feed our families are filled with genetically altered ingredients that make them (the ingredients, not our kids) disease tolerant, pest tolerant, drought tolerant …etc etc. Hormones are added to make chickens larger, and cows mature quicker, not to mention the pesticides on our produce, all in the name of profit. Unfortunately our children are the ones paying the price. “Convenience foods” are killing us! Then throw on top of that the sedative lifestyle our kids live with 300+ channels on TV and all the hand held video game systems, and keeping our kids close in the name of safety, They never had a chance. Both parents are working, if there are even 2 parents still in the family, so quick convenient foods are picked up (fast food) or prepared (hamburger helper, etc) The rise in disease, ADD, ADHD, Autism, Diabetes is taking their toll on our young people!
I have a doctor friend tell me that they are seeing diseases in children that at one point they saw primarily in adults…he said it was due to lack of exercise and increase in convenience foods in a large part…which makes me feel bad for our kids!
Prepacked and fast food are terrible for your health, no wonder our society is getting fatter and lazier, one reason because they are plugged into the tv. don’t go out side and play or make healthy food choices. I know parent(s) make excuses that they don’t have time to prepare nutritious meals for their families, I’m know I’m guilty of doing that too sometimes, but I know a few parent(s) who cook a few meals on the weekends or at night after the kids go to bed and freeze them for dinner(s) later on in the week and then have left overs for the other few days. We also have what we call “free day” at our house about once a week, which means the kids cook/make what ever they want, with in reason and I don’t have to cook. I know that I’m tired after a long day and the last thing I want to do is cook, but I force myself to do it because I know it’s good for my family and I hate touching meat, but I force my self to do it. I’m not saying to bake everything from scratch, but buy or look online for healthy recipes that only contain a handful of ingredients in it to make. Get the kids involved in cooking as well, go to the library or book store and have the kids help you pick out a cookbook or two. Even a small child(ren) can pour an ingredient into a bowl (and usually make a mess) but that’s not the point, it’s teaching them good habits. The closer from the earth a food item comes from, generally the healthier and less processed it is.
Marta…Love, love, love your “free night” idea with the kids cooking! When my son was younger, he helped me cook. When he was in his young teens, we would look through easier recipes, he would pick something out (within reason), we’d shop for that particular meal together and then he would do the majority of the cooking….it’s good times together, teaches math skills (measuring), he learned how to shop for ingredients (freshness, price, reading labels) and now he’s a chef and probably eats healthier than me! I am a firm believer that we teach our children by our actions more than our words!…thanks for your great input!