Overweight Kids
Lately I've been reading a lot of stories about the obesity epidemic affecting children. I have to say that one thing that really gets to is that people are very quick to point fingers and blame the parents and even the kids but no one seems to be doing anything to help.
It's so difficult to be a kid nowadays and being bullied because of your weight must be tough.
So I say, why isn't anyone pointing their fingers at the big supermarkets or food manufacturers. For me a simple trip to the supermarket ends with a toddler and preschooler in tears because they want the chocolate and junk precisely placed at their level in the checkout lane.
What about all the junk food at school? Or the fact that most foods on supermarket shelves have tons of artificial ingredients?
My kids aren't overweight so I can't speak from experience, but I do feel for kids that are being shamed or teased because of their weight... It must be really difficult for them.
It's so difficult to be a kid nowadays and being bullied because of your weight must be tough.
So I say, why isn't anyone pointing their fingers at the big supermarkets or food manufacturers. For me a simple trip to the supermarket ends with a toddler and preschooler in tears because they want the chocolate and junk precisely placed at their level in the checkout lane.
What about all the junk food at school? Or the fact that most foods on supermarket shelves have tons of artificial ingredients?
My kids aren't overweight so I can't speak from experience, but I do feel for kids that are being shamed or teased because of their weight... It must be really difficult for them.
posted by Mila at 3:52 AM
NEW! 
8 Comments:
I applaud the supermarkets that have a "kid" line with no junk.
My kids always ask but I always say no so they don't beg... but they do get a free cookie at the bakery every shopping trip. ;)
Bottom line though, it is the parent's job to instill and model healthy habits. If Mom and Dad are modeling a junk food diet, buying junk and eating no veggies, and watching the boob tube for hours instead of participating in active hobbies as a family and as individuals, then the kids are going to be heavy also.
I do have a big problem with the junk food and soda pop that are readily available in schools. Let's face it, parental influence is strong but when the 'rents aren't around, kids are going to default to junk food!
I'm big on healthy eating and exercise, but I do believe some parents may not know or be as aware about a healthy lifestyle as we are Carrie.
It may be because lack of knowledge or other reasons... who knows,but I just wish society on the whole would make things easier for us parents rather than pushing junk food everywhere you look.
I may try that actually, letting the kids have one treat at the supermarket so they don't ask for other stuff on the way out... good idea :)
I believe it the parents fault 100%. They start by giving their kids junk food at a very young age. I'm so glad there is a commercial now that has the child on there saying "Mom will you buy me some diabetes?" "Will you buy me some fat?" Because that is really what parents are doing. And I hope some of these parents will start to realize the damage that they are creating. Junk food sells. Period. Parents just need to educate themselves so they don't fall into the junk food frenzy trap.
I think we are all to blame. As parents we hold more of the blame, but I don't believe it's all the parents fault. That "honey we're killing the kids" show is pretty eye opening.
Kari, that's a great commercial. I certainly sat up and listened!
I haven't seen the commercial sounds interesting. We have a few here about smoking and drinking and driving that are meant to shock...some of them are pretty scary!
I haven't seen those either. My experience as a child raised by a "health nut" Mom was this:
I had never drank a Coke until I was nearly 12, and went to a friend's house. Every time I went there and walked in the door I was handed a Coke and candy bar (everyone in the family except one son was overweight, no surpise). I would get so high it was unbelievable. But then when I went home, I felt exhausted and depressed.
I made the connection though... too much junk = pain.
Kids don't get to make that connection if they're eating like that every day though, do they?
The problem is, our kids aren't with us 24/7. We can help them make better choices and point them to the connection between how they feel and what they eat, but when they're at school, Grandma's, a friend's house, etc... they have to choose.
I can't understand childhood obesity either. My son is always underweight no matter how much I feed him. He gets made fun of because he is so skinny. He is healthy, but he must have a good metabolism. He is in the 90% for height and under 25th for weight. I guess every parent has their own trial.
I agree that there is just too much junk food out there! I hate going grocery shopping with my kids!
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home