Are Dollar Stores Contributing to Obesity in Children?
By aero89
@aero89 (422)
United States
April 7, 2008 6:26pm CST
Dollar stores are great for selling consumers name brand products at low prices. But I wonder...
Are the cheap cookies and over-abundance of snacks and junk making it easier for kids to have access to them? In other words, is mom/dad buying 2 packs of cookies at the dollar store for $2.00 because they are $1.69 each somewhere else? Is it too easy to buy more junk because we think we are getting "a deal"?
I can't help but think so. A high percentage of obese people are poor, according to reports. Assuming this is true, could it be partially due to the cheap junk foods available to people when they are discount shopping?
2 responses
@ihearttinytim (614)
• United States
3 May 08
No, Dollar stores aren't at fault; lazy parenting is to blame. They need to *MAKE* their child go outdoors instead of sitting on the couch watching TV or playing video games! Encourage movement, rather than a sedentary lifestyle... Put them in an after school activity such as dance or other sports, or little league - SOMETHING - for crying out loud!!! Get them a bike so they can go bike riding with friends. These parents today are too "busy" with - dare I say it - CRAP that doesn't really matter. Ok, getting off my soapbox now. lol
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
8 Apr 08
no, i dont think you can pin the cause of childhood obesity on any one cause quite frankly. it is the lack of exercise (due to budget cuts) in the schools, the invention of the computer and video games PLUS the availability of snack items that are out there, as well as the ease of lifestyle...think about 50 years ago, there was not that much snack food available, people did more work because they didnt have dishwashers and the like, plus, they had regular exercise in school.
1 person likes this
@aero89 (422)
• United States
8 Apr 08
I think you raise a great point about the school systems. Seems like schools want to focus on having the Divisional titles more than anything when it comes to athletics in children. It's like if they can't make a buck or at least the front page, it's not really worth it. Recess is like 20 minutes in some schools - an utter shame.
I don't think there is one cause either. I just thought maybe we are getting out of control with all of this cheap food. Would like to see what others think, and I thank you for sharing :)
