What are "we" doing to our children in America?

[mom2boys77]

I'm sure I am in the minority but here is my take. I don't care WHO is in an ECV or WHY they are using one. I take care of my family's needs and don't feel the need to sit back and judge other people at WDW.....yes, I am serious.

I make sure my kids are healthy and don't worry about anyone else's kids. When at WDW, I am all about making my vacation as enjoyable as possible and hope others are having a great time too. I am more concerned with the irritating family that broke in line at the POTC after all of us other people had waited for over an hour than the "fat" people.

If you think obesity is such a problem, all you can do is make sure YOUR kids are living a healthy life style, don't worry about others.

Ita!! Who cares what other people do or why as long as you're not affected? I keep my family healthy and happy and that is really all that matters to me. We are paying lots of money to go to WDW and I'm not going to waste the precious time with my family thinking about how "fat and lazy" people are!

 

[Crankyshank]

while I am at it, there seems to be some outcry and claims that those offended by the OP are missing the point. I think the OP could have had a calmer and much more open discussion if just childhood obesity was mentioned. Really the whole ecv/laziness train of thought was poop stirring at its best.

To get back to the childhood obesity problems, I absolutely agree that it is becoming an epidemic. I think there's too many causes to point our finger at just one. Too much video games, too little PE, too little time outdoors, overprotectiveness, coddling, fast food, preservatives, school cafeterias, etc... I think soda and fruit juices are a big contributor to this. A local beverage company makes soda how it used to be made with natural juices and real sugar. Not only does it taste better, but it's a lot lower in calories without the fructose and syrups in it.

Don't think forcing your children to exercise and get involved is the answer either. I am a perfect example of forcing your child to exercise, obsessive portion control, and overscheduling activities to prevent obesity backfires. I'm a little afraid that there will be even more instances of this as a backlash from the current obesity epidemic. I think that's going to cause more eating disorders and self image issues.
Americans are very all or nothing and seem to have problems with balance.

 

[cardaway]

I also have seen the people in parks on ECV's and noticed many of them are very overweight. While some have serious health issues, some of those problems are directly the result of being very overweight. I don't see any problem with speaking out about the gerneral American obesity problem and warning young ones about the issue.

My biggest issue with the ECV's in general continues to be the fact that very few know how to drive them. So many of these people in the parks have never driven one, and certianly never driven one in an area that crowded with people. I've been slammed into, or almost slammed into many times, and I was standing still at the time.

 

[VSL]

I also have seen the people in parks on ECV's and noticed many of them are very overweight. While some have serious health issues, some of those problems are directly the result of being very overweight. I don't see any problem with speaking out about the gerneral American obesity problem and warning young ones about the issue.

I do agree with this.

Also, being immobile does not automatically mean that you'll gain huge amounts of weight, if you're willing to decrease your energy intake so that it balances out with your energy output (although this could mean that you are eating a lot less than those around you).

Either way, I barely noticed people in ECV's and wheelchairs when I've been to WDW. And the only thing that really bothers me about the 'obesity epidemic' (which is, unfortunately, spreading to Europe) is the higher health costs for everyone else. Really, I couldn't care less what people eat (apart from those I love, of course!). Your body, your choice.

 

[Cool-Beans]

My biggest issue with the ECV's in general continues to be the fact that very few know how to drive them. So many of these people in the parks have never driven one, and certianly never driven one in an area that crowded with people. I've been slammed into, or almost slammed into many times, and I was standing still at the time.

Those things are hard to drive! They are either not going or whoosh! - they are going faster than you want. I thought maybe it was my friend who couldn't do it right and tried it myself. Plus, when you are going along slowly, everyone cuts in front of you and you have to keep stopping. It took us forever to get anywhere.

On the way to Philharmagic, absolutely nobody noticed an ECV stopped dead, unable to move forward and I had to get ahead of her to make room.

My friend isn't fat, but may end up that way. Eventually, she won't be able to walk at all. Some folks have a metabolism that allows them to eat a little and not gain weight, even if they never move. But some don't...if they never move, they'll gain weight.

I think it is great to encourage those who CAN exercise to do so. I just think that singling out people in wheelchairs or ECVs is a REALLY bad place to start the campaign.

 

[hydster]

I won't address the ECV/WDW part of this thread because as a general rule I don't care but that said..........

The obesity problem especially here in the US is alarmingly high for adults but even more alarming in children. Approximately 25 to 30 percent of adult obesity cases begin with childhood (pediatric) obesity.

A history of being overweight in childhood that persists into adulthood is associated with more severe complications of obesity later in life.

According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, today about 15 percent of children and adolescents can be labeled as having childhood obesity in the U.S. The steadily increasing incidence of childhood obesity raises concern about the health of these youth as they approach adulthood.

Over the past 20 years, the proportion of overweight children ages six through 11 has more than doubled and the rate for adolescents ages 12 through 19 has tripled.

Obesity is an annual $122.9 Billion dollar problem for all of us! For me the issue comes down to the fact that the #'s are growing every year and where does it stop? It would seem the best place to stop it is at the childhood level but sadly it's not happening!

And with adult obesity the trend is alarming as well.

In 1991, only four of 45 states participating in the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System had obesity prevalence rates of 15 to 19 percent and none had obesity prevalence rates greater than 20 percent. By the year 2000, all of the 50 states had obesity prevalence rates of 15 percent or greater, with 35 of the 50 states having obesity prevalence rates as high as 20 percent or greater.

In 2001:

20 states had obesity prevalence rates of 15–19 percent
29 states had obesity prevalence rates of 20–24 percent
One state had an obesity prevalence rate of more than 25 percent
The prevalence of obese individuals in the U.S. increased to 20.9 percent in 2001, a 5.6 percent increase in one year and a 74 percent increase since 1991.

All of this can be found here
http://www.obesityinamerica.org/

 

[goofy's friends]

One state had an obesity prevalence rate of more than 25 percent


Wonder what the one state is..................

 

[HappyLawyer]

Nope, I think that you're the one not getting the point. But that's OK. And I think it would be "horribly offensive" only if one chose to take it that way.

OK -- once more....slowly. Can we agree that obesity is more of an epidemic than ever before? Can we look at the reasons why there are more obese children than ever before? If you choose not to do that, that's your perogative.

To the poster who asked if I went up to any of those parents and questioned them....what do you think? Unfortunately those kids will have enough people in their future that will be saying things to them--and not in a kind, concerned manner either.

It was me and i am sure the last thing on your mind was the many people in their future who would say things, it is easier to type and pass judgement here on the boards, cuz if you would have went up and said something to the parents you probably would have been

 

[HappyLawyer]

There is a new ruling in PA schools this year. In order for the school cafeterias to continue to receive the maximum state funding, all sugar must be cut from the menu. No soda, ice cream, cookies, candy, etc. can be sold.

In fact, our school went a bit further. All parties - holiday or birthday - can contain no sugar. That means that if a parent wants to celebrate their child's birthday, they no longer will be sending cupcakes to school. Instead, they will be sending "birthday carrots" or "birthday broccoli".

I agree and disagree with this. Yes, many of our children are leaning toward obesity. But - a birthday just isn't a birthday without cake.

my dtr daycam did something like this, no junk food with lunch, healthy snacks only, it's not a bad idea.

 

[MosMom]

I agree with cutting daily sugar out of the diet but cutting it for holiday parties too? Those are the times when kids should be allowed a treat. We should teach moderation and healthy eating. Not completely ban it or kids will start selling Twinkies behind the curly slide at recess.

 

[hydster]

It didn't mention the state but it did have breakdowns by regions

It also had this "factoid"

In the 10 year span between 1991 and 2001 the obesity levels increased by 74%.

Is it increasing because of a medical condition or because our fast paced lifestyle set it up to increase?

 

[HappyLawyer]

Any "social aspects" of it, are from attitudes like yours, and many other people's who then perpetuate this last tolerated form of bigotry, IMO, on to future generations by teaching your kids this intolerance.

THAT is what is sad.

Talking about a child's - a CHILD's- weight? Nice.

you know i almost majored in psychology so here is what i think, perhaps that person, is passive at home so they come to the boards to feel better about themselves. At home they are not allowed to speak without permission, you know they may have a dominating spouse so here they can try to be dominating, what do all you think, the heck with being a lawyer, Dr. Phil Look out

 

[cardaway]

That school cutting all treats is really going too far. Likely just to make things worse.

 

[HappyLawyer]

I once saw a show about these fat kids, i mean they were under 5 and weighed almost 200 pounds. I don't tell people how to raise their children but on this show the mom said she will not deprive her child of food. She cooked and fed this kids these gigantic meals. It was really terrible. I think when a parent is contributing in this manner, they may need some parenting courses to help them understand the long term effects, but people are going to do what they want to do.

 

[HappyLawyer]

That school cutting all treats is really going too far. Likely just to make things worse.

May i ask why you feel this way?

 

[MosMom]

Growing up, we were always allowed treats. Our next door neighbors were allowed NOTHING. They would come to our house and PIG OUT like they had never seen a Little Debbie cake and hadn't eaten in days. That is how it could harm IMO.

I think teaching moderation and when it is appopriate to have sweet treats is far more effective.

 

[cardaway]

May i ask why you feel this way?

Because even though the other posters joked about it, there is a lot of truth in the idea that making things off limits (rather than just teaching moderation) does more harm than good.

 

[DVC Sadie]

I agree that the ECV issue is most likely seperate. I don't see many kids in ECVs but I have little doubt that over the next couple of decades, Disney will probably need to vastly increase the number of ECVs they have available to rent.

I agree that a large % of the population at Disney who uses ECVs use them for medical issues that may or may not have contributed to their weight. But there is also a significant and growing % of the population who is becoming increasingly more immobile because of being morbidly obese. There are numerous studies that show this.

ITA! Our nation as a whole is becoming morbidly obese and within the next 20 years I fear we will also see increase of heart attacks, strokes and other life threatening diseases. Our childrens generation will probably be the 1st generation that will not outlive our generation.

 

[FergieTCat]

ITA! Our nation as a whole is becoming morbidly obese and within the next 20 years I fear we will also see increase of heart attacks, strokes and other life threatening diseases. Our childrens generation will probably be the 1st generation that will not outlive our generation.

Think of it this way. As the morbidity rate goes up, the ECV user rate will go down!

 

[My2Angels]

I am in total agreement with you! I am a pediatric nurse, and just 4 months ago saw one of my patients, age 15, die of heart failure because of nothing other that early childhood obesity. We have children in our weight management clinic who are 3 years old and not walking yet due to weight. It is very sad, and every parent needs to protect their children from this preventable disease for their future health!
I also encountered many at WDW on our last trip in December, who were just as you described. There were so many of these "vehicles" we were run over more than once. Lots of them children just jetting around for fun.