Childhood Obesity
By dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
March 21, 2013 8:05pm CST
So I was watching last week's episode of The Biggest Loser from my DVR and I know that this season has been about challenging American and helping to battle the childhood obesity epidemic. Just before one of the breaks they featured a little girl that had once weighed nearly 200 pounds at just nine years old. I was absolutely shocked by this.
I mean I've struggled with my weight throughout my life and I am still an obese person (I'm not going to deny that) however I'm making changes that will help to improve my life as well as the lives of my children. My daughter is 10 years old now and she weighs about 130 pounds and she swears that she is fat. She is a little bit overweight, but I wouldn't go to the extent of saying that she is completely obese. My daughter is almost 5 foot tall and still on quite a growing spree. She has taken to eating a lot of salads and since the weather is getting nicer she and her brother have been trying to ride their bikes around the block at least 15 times a day so she is definitely getting exercise.
What I think her issue is is that she is getting close to hitting puberty and her body is changing a lot. At Christmas she looked really chunky but now she is starting to look more trim and she is actually dropped a clothing size. So that makes me really happy as a mother.
When it comes to childhood obesity is this something that is solely the parents fault or do you think that there are a lot of different factors that are at play? Overall, do you think that there is really something that parents can do anything to control?
9 responses
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
24 Mar 13
I think mainly its the parents problem and responsibility. Talking here as someone who was born underweight and survived, I still was underweight when I was 4 years old, I have pics as proof, but my mother insisted on stuffing me with food so I put on weight. By the time I started school with 6 years old I already was overweight and that stayed till today. I tried lots of diets and changing my eating habits but nothing really seems to work. All I can do now with a bit over 50 is accept I will never be trim, and see to keeping the weight and not increase it any more.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
I'm definitely not saying that parents are not at fault, but I really don't think that the fault falls exclusively on the parents. The meals that are served in schools are not always the most healthy options, but kids have to eat. The opportunities for exercise in the school are not the greatest, etc.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Apr 13
I wish that it would make economic sense for me to pack a lunch for my children to take to school. However, because of our family income, they qualify for government subsidized lunches. There is no way that I could pack them a lunch from home and spend forty cents or less for their lunch.
@RitterSport (2451)
• Lippstadt, Germany
30 Mar 13
I understand, dear dorannmwin. Times clearly have changed. We didnt get meals served in schools back then. We only had packed lunches, most of the time sandwiches and my mother also added some veggies or fruit sometimes, or a small container of yoghurt.
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
4 Apr 13
I must admit that there are times when I really don't have any time to prepare my kids healthy meals. That's why we resort to getting processed food, or worse -fast food! In this sense, I would say that as a parent, it is my fault.
Thankfully, my kids have been blessed with the same metabolism that I had when I was young. Although not entirely healthy, they both look fit.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
8 Apr 13
My son definitely does have the same kind of quick metabolism that his father has, so he is very lucky in that sense. My daughter, on the other hand, got my slower metabolism and that is part of the reason for her struggles. However, I don't let my children live a sedimentary lifestyle so that is something that does help both of them.
@Fishmomma (11377)
• United States
23 Mar 13
I think many people are at fault that children today are heavier than my generation. Its not just the parents that need to make changes, as a parent we aren't always there to make sure our children are eating and drinking correctly. Our schools have to take some blame with to many unhealthy foods served for lunch. Many students are eating school prepared lunches and I know that there is to much fat and calories being served 5 days a week in many schools. If our children eat all the calories they should eat in a day at lunch time, then we all should make the school change the menu.
I know some schools have made changes recently and I'm hoping more schools realize they need to do it now. PE was a required class when I attended school and I know its not in some of the schools in my area. These schools should bring back exercise and remove something else from the class schedule.
There isn't a quick fix with so many entertaining video games and television has so many channels now. Its important to make sure our children get some exercise at home and eat healthy meals. Avoid sugary foods and drinks and yes I'm aware that isn't going to be easy when some of the sugary processed foods have coupons that make them free in this area.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
For us, I have to admit that it is nearly impossible to completely exclude the sugary drinks and such, but I give them to the children in moderation. I do know that they have required physical education in their school but I also know in our area it is something that is phased out through middle and high school. In middle school the students are required to take one period (nine weeks) of physical education a year and in high school that is reduced to one semester (18 weeks) during the entire four years of high school.
That really is one of the reasons that I do encourage my children to spend as much time playing outside, riding bikes, etc. as they can. That is also one of the reasons that we make family hikes and walks a part of our regular routine.
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
22 Mar 13
Many children get driven by their parents to school, the supermarket and any other places. Those sorts of children eat much junk food and put on lots of weight. Some people are prone to putting on weight. In puberty the body can change a lot.
My older son and my daughter have a normal body mass index. My younger son is has a very low body weight. He is ever such a fussy eater.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Mar 13
My son also has a lower body weight and bmi while my daughter is definitely on the larger side of the curve. In a certain sense, I think my daughter inherited my relatively slow metabolism and my son inherited his father's fast metabolism.
@jazel_juan (15747)
• Philippines
22 Mar 13
I guess there is something we parents can do, i admit growing up i was a skinny kid, no matter how much i eat my mom and dad would even complain as to how skinny i am..but after i gave birth, for some reasons i just grew big.. i mean i went thru depression and such and well i gained weight.
As a parent, i think the responsibility of teaching my children how to eat right is upon me, that is why as much as possible i watch what they eat and try to cut down those preservatives especially here in my country where almost everything is instant..instant noodles,instant viands,instant coffee..it is quite overwhelming!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Mar 13
It definitely is easy to fall into the convenience of instant foods and those are things that won't help us to be our healthiest. However, it really doesn't take all that much more effort to prepare foods for ourselves.
@roshigo58 (4859)
• Pune, India
25 Mar 13
Hi,
There are many other factors responsible for obesity. But it is the responsibility of the parents to control the eating habits of the children. Children are fond of various type of junk food. They like to eat pizza, burger, hot dog, cakes etc. We should not allow our children to eat such food. They should be given to eat vegetables, fruits which are nutritional and not adding weight. It is very nice that your daughter is started losing weight.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Mar 13
It is very important that parents make sure that their children are offered healthy food options. However, I don't think that the childhood obesity epidemic can be conquered only by making dietary changes, there needs to be other lifestyle changes that are made as well.
@redredrose (1105)
• United States
22 Mar 13
When i was a kid i played outside more than kids do today. What with video games cable t.v. internet and such they don't get out side as much and they should. I do believe it is partly the parents fault if the child if obese but not totally the parents fault because kids can know when they are overweight and do something on their own about it. The parents can make sure the kids eat healthy and if they are going to snack make sure your kids don't get too much and keep the sweets out of their reach. It is very good tho that your daughter is trying to eat healthy and is exercising. She is getting outside and that is also good.As the weather warms up here i go for walks to help me lose weight since i am a bit overweight and the doctor says i need to lose weight for my health.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Mar 13
I too am planning on getting outside and exercising more as the weather warms up a little bit more. I can't wait to start training for a 5K as that will also give Kathryn and I something that we will be able to do together.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
22 Mar 13
It is sad that obesity is so high in the United States. I feel that some of the problems with childhood obesity is that children are not getting outside enough nor are they getting any exercise. Today's children have video games, cable television, and computers to keep them busy instead of going outside. I know growing up I always spent hours outdoors riding bikes, skipping rope, and playing hopscotch. I am glad that your daughter is eating healthy and is getting out to play.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Mar 13
That is one thing that a lot of families use all the time in their households and that is video games. Us, we don't actually even have a traditional video game system set up right now mostly because of the fact that our children don't have an interest in them. In addition to that, not having them set up encourages them to spend more time doing active activities.
@ThinkBrownINK (1)
• United States
22 Mar 13
This is not totally parents' fault, however parents can play a huge role in influencing their children's health, such as limiting time in front of television, video games and purchasing healthier, tasty food. Also messages from peers can inspire children. Share this song with your daughter. It's called "Move" by 10-year-old Chi Chi Monet:
https://soundcloud.com/chichimonet/move
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
22 Mar 13
I do think that parents do have some fault in the childhood weight problem, but I definitely don't think that it all falls on the parents because children are able to make some of their own decisions as they get a little bit older.
