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

[DisneyAddict_M]

My mother rented an ECV when we went to WDW in 2004. She's epileptic and would most likely have had a seizure if she had to walk around in the sun that long. To the naked eye, she looks 100% healthy. Now I'm wondering who might have thought she was just lazy. A little OT, but on my mind nevertheless.

Btw, she was one of the ones who kept running people over.

 

[MosMom]

Just as long as your mom isn't fat. Only the fat people are accused of being lazy.

 

[inaminute]

...we just returned from a fabulous trip to WDW. I was very saddened, however, to see how many obese families driving around in those ECVs.

Gee. I guess we made the right decision in cancelling our WDW trip this year. I know I wouldn't want to be "saddened" by seeing so many fat lazy people riding around in ECVs.

Heaven forbid I might have to actually USE one because my knee gave out again--the one that was damaged in a car accident. Want to see the scars? It's really good to know I'm not paranoid and there really are people judging me based on how things "look" and not bothering to find out what the real story is.

Thanks for the warning.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

Just as long as your mom isn't fat. Only the fat people are accused of being lazy.

She is a little overweight, which is why I thought of it. Oh, well, let others think what they want.

 

[goodeats]

Obviously the ECV issue is separate from the child obesity one.

There is a big problem in this country, and apparently it will just get worse since people aren't making the necessary changes to confront it. But when I see a very overweight child sucking down soda and eating icecream while being pushed in a stroller at Disneyworld, you bet I'm going to judge the parents!

 

[goofyforlife]

Personally, I don't think it is just a few.
There is considerable research which shows that the majority of kids that are markedly obese are that way because of lack of exercise and poor eating habits -- not medical conditions.

Not try to single your comments out "Friend" but just using as a starting point to my 2 cents.

I think what has led to the lack of exercise and nutrition issues is two fold.

Lets face it.... school does not even give our kids adequate recess anymore and they are told to wolf down their food in 20 minutes or less. In ES & MS i had an AM & PM recess and had 45 minutes for lunch. My DD only has lunch and 20 minutes at that. We used to run around and play tag, and hopscotch, and kickball and other games during that time.

Most households today need two working parents due to the cost of living and expenses. What this means is that if mom & dad aren't home till 6 pm. Kid is told to stay inside because guess what..... our streets aren't safe either....

During 5-6 months of the year in most of the country it is dark after 6pm. So can't go out then either. Maybe your lucky enough to have a "Y" membership or other places but schools seldom have open gym time anymore because non or for profit groups pay to use them.

As for nutrition. Yes i know lean meats and fresh fruits and veggies are best.

but have you have to look at the economics of today. Gee pasta is sure cheap. mac and cheese even cheaper... bags of chips are on sale every week. Fruit is not. It not hard to see why families eat the way they do....

 

[Snowysmom]

I have been reading this thread and just decided to comment hopefully without getting flamed. When I go to Disney, I am too busy having fun with my family to notice who is riding along in ECV's and what their size is. And since I do not know their medical history, it is not up to me to judge them as lazy. I am overweight and have a bad knee due to an accident in which I tore cartilage in 2 places, sprained my ACL, and needed surgery. Then this past winter I fell on some black ice and further damaged my knee. So, not only am I overweight, I am also a klutz which is another issue altogether. Luckily at this point, I am able to walk around WDW and other places without any problems. I would hesitate to rent an ECV if I needed one because of the comments and thoughts of other people thinking I am just fat and lazy. There is an obesity problem in this country, but there is also extreme prejudice against heavy people. Others look at heavy people and immediately judge them to be lazy and undisciplined. With childhood obesity I believe that it is up to parents to take care of their kids and try to help them to be healthy and happy. Their pediatrician is a good source of information and help if needed. Just my opinion.

 

[Kendra17]

I completely agree with the OP. We've been out several times this summer where we have seen very obese children. Obviously their diet cannot be too healthy and their parents aren't really watching what they eat.

My daughter had a friend in Kindergarten or first grade that was a little chunky. Her mother was obese. At a cookout for the school, the mother practically forced her to eat her entire HUGE burger. And, when the little girl went to play on the playground climber, her mother came over to her and forced her to eat the rest of her french fries as she was playing. She was the only kid playing while eating. During the next year or so, this little girl became very very big.

My kids don't eat as well as I'd like, and I have to watch them. And, if I make fish or something more healthy at dinner, I often get complaints (i hate cooking though, and I'm not too good at it. . . ). But, we try to serve balanced meals most of the time and at least encourage healthy choices. the kids also know I workout daily and I try to model healthy behavior. Sometimes my oldest daughter joins me, but mostly she opts out. My youngest, though (three) takes one pound weights and works out along with me every time!

My kids' schools just stopped serving fried foods and sugary drinks. Everything is baked now. I don't like how they encourage so much juice though, and would prefer they offered some lower caloried options with sweetener.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

As for nutrition. Yes i know lean meats and fresh fruits and veggies are best.

but have you have to look at the economics of today. Gee pasta is sure cheap. mac and cheese even cheaper... bags of chips are on sale every week. Fruit is not. It not hard to see why families eat the way they do....

very true. You might be interested in this recent article from the Chicago Tribune showing just HOW hard it is for some families to provide their children with a balanced diet. Childhood obesity is rampant amongst lower income families along with the related medical conditions including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and even certain cancers. There are neighborhoods in this country where it is literally easier to buy a bag of marijuana than it is to find a banana or an apple.



http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-food18.html

 

[TinkNH]

This totally sucks.

These are the sorts of thread and thoughts, that gets people all insecure. Allll worried - about (for instance) going to the water parks at WDW - "Will I be the only fat person there?!?" "Do other fat people wear bathing suits?" "Will I be stared at because I'm 'pooh' sized?"

This is terrible. It truly is. How anyone's weight affects YOU is just beyond me.

I have fat friends, skinny friends, chubby friends, friends with bodies to-die-for.... theyre all good, amazing, funny and wonderful PEOPLE.

I just dont get these sorts of threads. I just dont. Call me crazy - whatever. I dont understand how these sorts of thoughts even cross your mind.

Why dont we change the thread title? "What are WE doing to people's self esteem in America?" Lets break everyone down and let 'em all know is *is* all about your looks.

WELL SAID!

 

[CEDmom]

I know this is a serious topic but I can't help laughing at the fact that right now this thread appears just above one asking about good bakery items .

Sorry for the interruption, please continue

 

[FayeW]

Well, from an outsider's POV, Americans seem to have an unhealthy "appetite", if you will, for soft drinks and Krispy Kreme's!

Is it really necessary to have multiple drink refills, or donuts for breakfast? (And before anybody mentions Canada's love affair with Tim Hortons: It's about the coffee, not the pastry!)

 

[Kendra17]

Originally Posted by CathrynRose
This totally sucks.

These are the sorts of thread and thoughts, that gets people all insecure. Allll worried - about (for instance) going to the water parks at WDW - "Will I be the only fat person there?!?" "Do other fat people wear bathing suits?" "Will I be stared at because I'm 'pooh' sized?"

This is terrible. It truly is. How anyone's weight affects YOU is just beyond me.

I have fat friends, skinny friends, chubby friends, friends with bodies to-die-for.... theyre all good, amazing, funny and wonderful PEOPLE.

I just dont get these sorts of threads. I just dont. Call me crazy - whatever. I dont understand how these sorts of thoughts even cross your mind.

Why dont we change the thread title? "What are WE doing to people's self esteem in America?" Lets break everyone down and let 'em all know is *is* all about your looks.

I agree, but we're also talking about being healthy, fit, energetic, and having a strong heart. Also diabetes AND ASTHMA is much more prevalent now that obesity is so much more common. I see your point, but I think there is no reason why health, healthy food, and exercise shouldn't be encouraged.

Yes, I have fat family members. They are "good, amazing, funny, and wonderful people". But, one of them (bil) is huge and has out of control diabetes. The other one (sil) is single and unhappy and hasn't dated in several years although she'd like to. She met someone online and when he met her, he told her her weight was an issue-- even though he thought it wouldn't be prior to meeting her.

If someone is completely happy being heavy as an adult, good for them. However, it is the parents' responsibility (don't you think?) to give them a healthy head start. At 4 years old, at seven years old. . . the kids don't realize that they are setting themselves up for a lifetime of weight issues.

I really don't want to be the only 'dissenter" on this issue, because you make some valid points and I agree people shouldn't be ostracized or criticized for their weight. But, at the same time, it's the American diet that is poor. And, countries that have switched to similar diets-- more fast food, more processed food, etc.-- are also seeing an increase in obesity in their children and adults. I don't see how pretending this isn't an important issue is a good thing.

edited to add: and asthma

 

[MosMom]

Well, from an outsider's POV, Americans seem to have an unhealthy "appetite", if you will, for soft drinks and Krispy Kreme's!

Is it really necessary to have multiple drink refills, or donuts for breakfast? (And before anybody mentions Canada's love affair with Tim Hortons: It's about the coffee, not the pastry!)

Hahaha yeah, coming from an American who has lived in Canada that statement is kind of like saying you get Playboy only for the articles. I knew PLENTY of people who loved the donuts at Tim Hortons.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Well, from an outsider's POV, Americans seem to have an unhealthy "appetite", if you will, for soft drinks and Krispy Kreme's!

Is it really necessary to have multiple drink refills, or donuts for breakfast? (And before anybody mentions Canada's love affair with Tim Hortons: It's about the coffee, not the pastry!)

you really have issues, did you know that?

 

[frozone]

Yes, I have fat family members. They are "good, amazing, funny, and wonderful people". But, one of them (bil) is huge and has out of control diabetes. The other one (sil) is single and unhappy and hasn't dated in several years although she'd like to. She met someone online and when he met her, he told her her weight was an issue-- even though he thought it wouldn't be prior to meeting her.

Sounds like she's better off not being with someone who says one thing and then behaves differently.

 

[RNMOM]

I really find it amazing this is still on page one.

Kendra, you may want you children to have drinks with artificial sweeteners but many of us don't. I would rather have good old sugar that is not all that high in calories on it's own than chemicals. For about 10% of us the sweeteners don't taste sweet at all but bitter. That is why some people don't drink diet drinks.

I eat real butter and use olive oil on salads and for cooking. Guess what? My cholesterol level is 114, down from 134 last year. My "good" cholesterol is fine too. I eat real cheese too. My very thin and tall husband has cholesterol over 200 eating more healthy than do I. Tough one to explain isn't it?

I think we do a big disservice getting our kids fat free this and that. They need to learn to control regular foods. What will they do when they no longer have someone buying the fat free versions for them? Medicine is beginning to catch on that it is the quality of the food you eat not only whether it has fat or sugar in it. Wholesome natural foods are what our family eats as much as possible.

I am beginning to think if obese people are in a majority now we should revolt and make it unacceptable to be thin.

Personally I would rather look at a pooh sized person than at someone as thin as Nicole Ritchie. Be careful you don't put your obsessive exercise and diet notions on your kids or you might just end up creating a child who is bulemic or anorexic.

Get over your notion about who is acceptable to be in your presence or not. If you don't like what you see, turn your head and hopefully you will find a nice size 2 person standing there.

 

[Planogirl]

It's really all about control There's nothing wrong with the occasional Krispy Kreme or soft drink or whatever, the operative word being OCCASIONAL. We did well when these things were special treats. Now it seems that it's an all or nothing situation, neither of which will work IMO.

 

[WDW Poly Princess]

I think a big part of the problem is that society focuses on *appearance* rather than *health*. Instead of saying we should eat healthy foods to not be fat, the focus should be on eating healthy foods to live longer, be stronger, etc.

Fitting into a certain size of jeans does nothing to motivate me to exercise- being able to walk around WDW for a week without being worn out, being strong enough to lug a heavy backpack around Europe, etc. do motivate me.

As for the health of kids today, I think it is the dual responsibility of parents and schools. Yes, good eating and exercise habits should start at home, but children spend almost half of the hours they are awake at school, so unless something is done to continue the healthy patterns there, what is done at home will only go so far. Look at any high school in the country, and you will see a TON (um, no pun intended) of kids who just eat fries or cookies for lunch. I think a big part of the problem with school lunches is that schools have VERY limited budgets for what they can spend on the meals, and it is hard to put together really nutritional meals for that price.

I'm always amazed when I'm standing in line at the gas station, and almost every child who walks in with their parents walks out with a HUGE soda and at least one candy bar, and not in a "this is a special treat" kind of way, but a "this is what we get every time we stop somewhere" way.

 

[Planogirl]

My son gets a soft drink every day after school. It's his treat of the day and otherwise he eats well. He doesn't like baked goods or ice cream or chocolate so this item is the big bad thing of the day.