Are our kids going to be ok?

[Doesney]

Whist at the beach this a.m. I noticed so many overweight children. But what was really sad was the snacks they were eating. Chips, candy, cookies, pop.

What ever happened to fresh fruit? Maybe a yogurt? It really saddens me when I see overweight children, it really is not the fault of the child but that of the parent.

And what about some water instead of a coke?

Its a sad state of affairs, when a mom can't pack a healthy lunch for a day at the beach.

Diabetes, heart disease, the list goes on and on. Healthy habits need to start in the early years.

Anyone else feel this way or am I alone on this?

 

[Pongo69]

Originally posted by Doesney
Whist at the beach this a.m. I noticed so many overweight children. But what was really sad was the snacks they were eating. Chips, candy, cookies, pop.

What ever happened to fresh fruit? Maybe a yogurt? It really saddens me when I see overweight children, it really is not the fault of the child but that of the parent.

And what about some water instead of a coke?

Its a sad state of affairs, when a mom can't pack a healthy lunch for a day at the beach.

Diabetes, heart disease, the list goes on and on. Healthy habits need to start in the early years.

Anyone else feel this way or am I alone on this?

Yep just like it's not the child's fault for being stuck with a psychotic parent with multiple personalities but it happens.

 

[RitaZ.]

Originally posted by Pongo69
Yep just like it's not the child's fault for being stuck with a psychotic parent with multiple personalities but it happens.

 

[LScot]

Are you sure yours were the skinny ones?

 

[snoopy]

I've always encouraged my kids to eat SOME good food mixed in with the junk. Like they can have a cookie but they also have to have a piece of fruit.

I really wanted to say though that not all kids who are overweight are a result of overeating or eating all junk food. Genetics plays a big part. People come in all shapes and sizes, so do kids.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always was 'large boned'.

 

[Beauty]

Large Boned too Dan although DH is small and can eat and eat and not gain a pound. JC is in the middle!!! He eats both junk and good food.

Of course we can't all be itty bitty size 12s now can we

 

[hentob]

I would be more worried about if I could tell my children were boys or girls or if they were 3 or 5 years old. I dunno. That's just me, though.

 

[ladycollector]

Not trying to start an argument here but,

There are kids who eat bad junk food and gain weight. True. But what really ticks me off about the "junk food" argument, is that just as many skinny kids eat that badly too! And they don't have anyone on their tail telling them to stop eating those chips and grab an apple!! They are just lucky to have fast metabolisms. Some kids exercise more, but there are plenty of overweight children who get the same about of exercise as other children.

 

[orvilleair]

I think exercise has a lot to do with it. Compare what kids do these days for entertainment vs. when you were young.

I ate like a horse, but I was always outside playing with my friends (Pickle, smear ...., red rover, swing sets, etc...). I haven't seen a good kickball game in years, and don't get me started on four square and tether ball.

 

[Pam]

I would be more worried about if I could tell my children were boys or girls or if they were 3 or 5 years old. I dunno. That's just me, though.

 

[HauntedMansionGeek]

Originally posted by orvilleair
I think exercise has a lot to do with it. Compare what kids do these days for entertainment vs. when you were young.

I ate like a horse, but I was always outside playing with my friends (Pickle, smear ...., red rover, swing sets, etc...). I haven't seen a good kickball game in years, and don't get me started on four square and tether ball.

I TOTALLY agree! Parents are so paranoid they won't allow their kids to play outside for hours like they used to. I remember being outside from morning until the street lights came on, going home only to go potty or to have a quick peanut butter sandwich. LOL

 

[tjmw2727]

My family eats a very healthy diet but at the beach you will see us eating chips, ice cream and miscellaneous other things we don't have often. Its a day at the beach and I let my kids indulge!

I don't think its fair to judge a person by an hour or a day at the beach. They may have gone home to have a very healthy meal.

TJ

 

[Doesney]

Originally posted by orvilleair
I think exercise has a lot to do with it. Compare what kids do these days for entertainment vs. when you were young.

I ate like a horse, but I was always outside playing with my friends (Pickle, smear ...., red rover, swing sets, etc...). I haven't seen a good kickball game in years, and don't get me started on four square and tether ball.

I could not agree more, but that is where we as parents need to step up to the plate. I encourage my children to play outdoors whenever possible. I very rarely allow pop or juice they are just loaded with empty calories. My children are in no way deprived of snacks, but I have learned to be creative. I will admit that they are sometimes envious that they cannot just have a candy bar whenever they want, but they do appreciate it when they get it.

 

[Saffron]

Maybe the kids haven't eaten junk food all year long, but now that they're on vacation they are doing what a lot of adults do ... eating what they want, when they want, it's vacation time? Maybe they have a healthy lunch too? It's hard to know what other people are doing or why, all one can do is guess. I'm just happy when children are able to spend a carefree day at the beach.

 

[Christine]

I hate to generalize when I look at one small snippet of a stranger's life--but it is hard not too.

Tonight I was at BJs and a girl of about 8 years of age and her mom were walking out in front of us. The mom was what I would call a normal size. I immediately noticed that the girl was overweight as she had on a ballerina costume and had obviously just finished her ballet class (Yay!!!) but in her hand was a can of frosting and she was eating frosting out of the can!! C'mon!!! I just shook my head.

My kids eat their share of junk. They have ice cream every night, eat crap for lunch at the babysitters house, etc. BAD, BAD, BAD, but they have great genes and both are slim. They are not slim because of anything I did. BUT, if they were not blessed with their wonderful metabolisms, I would do something about it. They would not be eating out of a can of frosting at the store.

 

[Doesney]

Originally posted by Christine
in her hand was a can of frosting and she was eating frosting out of the can!! C'mon!!! I just shook my head.

That is so wrong.

 

[Pam]

It's hard to know what other people are doing or why, all one can do is guess. I'm just happy when children are able to spend a carefree day at the beach.

 

[peachgirl]

I wouldn't worry too much about other people's children. It really is a case of myob.

 

[Pin Wizard]

DS is diabetic and must have a certain number of carbs for his snacks. I can tell you that he is reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally tired of granola bars!! Then I start moving into what I think are the less offensive snacks...graham crackers, reduced fat cheeze-its, etc. But sometimes it comes down to a couple cookies and a cup of milk. His fruit is limited to two fruits a day, and they're figured in at lunch and dinner. That's it. Same with veggies. I just don't buy the chips and other junk. And THANKFULLY, he does NOT like soda!!