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

[TimeforMe]

So it's okay for people that truly need them to run you over?

Honestly, that's a whole different issue. If you're going to use one at WDW, rent one at home and practice first. Everyone will be happier.

Exactly. And chances are that if you're using one at WDW for the first time, you don't really need it now do you?

OK--I'm obviously striking a nerve with some people. I knew it would happen and I apologized in advance but people seem to not be grasping that. Can you concede that there are some (many) people that use them that don't need them? Honestly. I think there are many.

And once again, it's not just the ECVs, it's in general how many people, especially young children, who are overweight.

 

[schlepsnort]

So many schools are contributing to the issue as well by getting rid of PE, competitive sports, putting vending machines in the schools, not serving wholesome meals, etc. I was thankful when our elementary school made PE an every other day event for all the kids. It is a start in developing healthy habits.

I agree about the not serving wholesome meals, I agree about the vending machines (though in our area they have now been removed or only vend bottled water), and I agree that PE should still be a part of the curriculum, but honestly I think taxpayers money would be better spend on academia than sports. Football, baseball, etc. can be saved for the community centers/ YMCAs. I would prefer to see my tax money being spent to improve our text books, our classroom resources than being wasted on uniforms for the teams/cheerleaders, etc. It serves no educational purpose. If we want our school systems to be competitive with other countries then that's what we should concentrate on, academia, not sports. And it's not the schools responsibility to teach children how to eat, or exercise, that is a job that the parents should be taking care of. That and manners, the difference between right and wrong. etc.

Ok that was OT and I'm sorry for digressing! but I'm happy that sports are finally getting the cuts instead of english programs, etc.

 

[JimFitz]

I think that, with a thread made up of people picking on those in wheelchairs, that the DIS has stooped to a new low.

It never, in my wildest dreams, occurred to me that when some folks saw a person in a wheelchair (or ECV) that they thought, "Get up and walk, you lazy bum."

I didn't think I COULD feel worse for those folks than I did. And now I do.

Not saying that at all.....However, when I see fat kids all around me sucking down Mickey pops it gets disturbing. Also, when I see 400 lbs people in ECV's eating dole Whips like they are going to the electric chair, it makes me wonder.

I have obesity rampant in my family.....its laziness and food choices.

 

[TimeforMe]

I think that, with a thread made up of people picking on those in wheelchairs, that the DIS has stooped to a new low.

It never, in my wildest dreams, occurred to me that when some folks saw a person in a wheelchair (or ECV) that they thought, "Get up and walk, you lazy bum."

I didn't think I COULD feel worse for those folks than I did. And now I do.

Oh, puleeze. Don't turn this into something it's not. Go back and read the title of the thread.

 

[nightowlky]

I think that, with a thread made up of people picking on those in wheelchairs, that the DIS has stooped to a new low.

It never, in my wildest dreams, occurred to me that when some folks saw a person in a wheelchair (or ECV) that they thought, "Get up and walk, you lazy bum."

I didn't think I COULD feel worse for those folks than I did. And now I do.

Umm...you completely missed the point of the OP.

 

[HappyLawyer]

I agree with people minding their own business but there are things that can be done. When i was a teacher i would see kids go through the lunch line and come out with 4 cookies, fries, 5 slices of pizza, a milk shake and about 6 twix bars, this is true and i am like ok lunch lady are you not going to say anything, hello. It was a dean that came over and told the student to put the items back, he told the student he was not going to eat all of that. I think the schools could remove soda machines because they do not supervise the spending habits of students.

But, maybe people should just worry about their own families. I am curious to the OP, did you approach the parents of these children and voice how you felt? I'm sure you did not and if so i am curious on the outcome.

 

[RNMOM]

As for running people over...well, don't change directions in front of them at the last minute and not even make eye contact so they pay attention. Don't try to outrun them then dart over in front. Don't stop dead in your tracks without looking around first. These things go for strollers too. It is very difficult to read other people's signals and there might be as many as 6-8 people around you at any given moment. When I scoot in front of someone I say "excuse me" just as I would when walking. Please, give people with wheels of all kinds a little time to react to your activity so we don't hurt you or your child. No one wants to do that to someone.

 

[mssocks]

This brings to mind the query - which comes first? The shorts or the flab?
Do I wear shorts in public so I can be out and about walking and living, risking that someone might see me in all my obesity and be struck blind? Or do I stay at home and eat because I can't go outside unless I am covered from head to toe to protect someones sensibilities and thus pass out from heat exhaustion?

Do I walk the many miles of WDW at a slow painful pace, getting in everyones way, missing out on things, so I get some exercise - of course covered head to toe for fear of someone seeing skin that is not taut? Then become so depressed I STOP eating and my metabolism slows down? Or do I use a vehicle that I stood in line for and get to see all that everyone else sees, leave a happy camper, encouraged and revitalized to continue my efforts to become healthy and strong.

Oh the choices, the choices, what does one do?

One thinks of ones own health first, walk when possible, ride to avoid heat stroke , leave in a positive frame of mind ( possibly sunburned from skin exposure ) eager to be one of the active people next visit. Do not eat in private for fear of being seen and ridiculed because that's when I lose track of what I've eaten. I am entitled, yes entitled, to actually EAT A MEAL now and then in fact my doctor wants me to eat at least 1000 calories a day. I am entitled to dress comfortably in public as long as my female parts are not hanging out of my clothes. I am entitled to enjoy the happiness of WDW as long as I do not interfere in someone elses happiness. If you choose to see me with tainted glasses, there is nothing I can do about it and I am not responsible for your "distress".

Hey I lost over 120lbs and have lived firsthand how the world treats larger people - with disrespect and disgust. And this would be from the people who knew me before I lost weight. Suddenly I was a person "worth knowing". Perhaps that is why I regained the weight and am now starting again. This time I KNOW I can do it and will not listen to nay-sayers. I have the power.

So there. Nanny nanny poo poo. Have a Disney day!

 

[teacherforhi]

Exactly. And chances are that if you're using one at WDW for the first time, you don't really need it now do you?

I didn't say that at all. Honestly, after my surgery, I could get around a little to do my job. Could I have walked around the Magic Kingdom? Ummmm, NO! Does that mean that I obviously didn't need one? No, according to you, it meant I was fat and lazy.

You are not getting the point here. It isn't your place to judge who needs one and who doesn't. It isn't your place to judge what someone eats while they're sitting on one.

And the fact that you "apologized in advance" just means that what you're saying is horribly offensive to many, but you decided to say it anyway.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Get off the couch, stop playing video games and watching tv, eating junk food and go outside and PLAY. I truly think this is becoming an epidemic.

My kids and I play video games and eat junk food. We are not overweight.

 

[va32h]

I make sure my kids are healthy and don't worry about anyone else's kids.

In theory I do agree with you...but excess weight contributes to so many health problems and eventually we will be bearing the cost of those problems in increased insurance premiums or higher costs for medical care.

Having said that, I certainly wouldn't march up to random people on the street and lecture them about their weight or their children's weight.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

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.

 

[teacherforhi]

I agree with people minding their own business but there are things that can be done. When i was a teacher i would see kids go through the lunch line and come out with 4 cookies, fries, 5 slices of pizza, a milk shake and about 6 twix bars, this is true and i am like ok lunch lady are you not going to say anything, hello. It was a dean that came over and told the student to put the items back, he told the student he was not going to eat all of that. I think the schools could remove soda machines because they do not supervise the spending habits of students.

But, maybe people should just worry about their own families. I am curious to the OP, did you approach the parents of these children and voice how you felt? I'm sure you did not and if so i am curious on the outcome.

Why is it any of the dean's business what the child buys for lunch? If the parents have issues with that, then they need to restrict what the child eats. It certainly isn't my job. I have 22 minutes for lunch. I refuse spend it policing the nutritional values of my students' lunches.

 

[becka]

In theory I do agree with you...but excess weight contributes to so many health problems and eventually we will be bearing the cost of those problems in increased insurance premiums or higher costs for medical care.

Having said that, I certainly wouldn't march up to random people on the street and lecture them about their weight or their children's weight.

Why not? We love to be lectured and told the obvious...

 

[TimeforMe]

You are not getting the point here. It isn't your place to judge who needs one and who doesn't. It isn't your place to judge what someone eats while they're sitting on one.

And the fact that you "apologized in advance" just means that what you're saying is horribly offensive to many, but you decided to say it anyway.

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.

 

[HappyLawyer]

Why is it any of the dean's business what the child buys for lunch? If the parents have issues with that, then they need to restrict what the child eats. It certainly isn't my job. I have 22 minutes for lunch. I refuse spend it policing the nutritional values of my students' lunches.

These kids are in middle school, and if you think the parents are going to come in just for the lunch period, then you are just clueless, anyway the parents don't even know what their child buys with the money unless they call for a printout, do you call your child's school and request a printout? I am glad the dean stepped in. It does not have to be your job, a teacher's job is to advocate and educate students, so just continue to enjoy your lunch. Continue to not get involved and before you go into this i am teacher rah rah rah, i taught for 8 years, so i have heard it all.

 

[RNMOM]

I feel some of you are mistaken if you don't feel it is your responsibility to police what the kids eat for lunch. It is 1/3 of their food for the day and what they choose can make a big difference in their health.

I do feel nutrition and health and PE should be part of school. It is a big part of real life and isn't that what school is for? To prepare kids for life? Man, what would be wrong with kids wearing their own shorts and tshirts, our schools do, for PE several times per week.

It is the job of the science department to show kids how food is metabolized. It is the job of the PE teacher to show kids how to burn calories and make their bodies healthy. (not try to jump over a pommel horse that is twice as tall as you are when I was in H.S.PE ) For teachers to not feel it is their job to show kids when they are doing right and how to do better, well that scares me. You have my kid more than 1/2 their waking hours. Who better to help me teach them the right way?

 

[goofy's friends]

Why is it any of the dean's business what the child buys for lunch? If the parents have issues with that, then they need to restrict what the child eats. It certainly isn't my job. I have 22 minutes for lunch. I refuse spend it policing the nutritional values of my students' lunches.

I don't think it's the dean's job or the teacher's job, but it can be the cafeteria workers' jobs. I know ours make sure their trays are healthy and then monitors walk the tables and make sure the kids are eating. It's aabout as much as they can do. They also do not have vending machines available.

It may not be their business in some people's eyes, but I for one am glad they are looking out for my kids' best interest in my absence.

 

[Caradana]

It's different for kids because the parents have so much input and control over what they do and what they eat. I was always a heavy kid, as far back as my memory spans. I agonized - AGONIZED - over it. When I was in 7th grade, my mother started forcing me to run the track. I mean it, she drove the entire family to the high school track and said she wasn't leaving until everyone in the family did 4 laps, but we all knew that this was for my benefit. She switched my dinnertime milk to water. She started hiding her M&M stash a heck of a lot better than she had been, and she left apples out in the kitchen. She forced me to go outside and move around. ALL I WANTED TO DO was stay in my room and read.

Was I peeved? SO ANGRY. It was embarrassing, humiliating, my sister and brother got to drink milk at dinner, what kind of screwed-up mother forces kids to run the track, etc ... but a year later, I was among the most athletic kids in my class. And 11 high school varsity letters later, I had grant $ to college. So - snapping me into shape was the best thing she could've done for me. It set off a chain reaction of events that set the course of my life.

If I have a kid who struggles with weight - and genetically, that will probably be a reality for me - guess where you will find us? The high school track, running in circles. There but for the grace of God go I.

 

[tiggersmom2]

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.

Oh no, you aren't trying to be offensive, just condescending and acting like we are too stupid to "get" your post. I "got" your post just fine and agree that children are becoming obese at an alarming rate. All I can do is make sure MY children are healthy.

In your OP your original beef seemed to be with fat, lazy people using the ECVs.

I was very saddened, however, to see how many obese families driving around in those ECVs. By no means am I a beanpole, but there's now way in heck I would ever be so lazy as to drive around in one of those things. And before anyone can flame me, I am aware that some of these people may have been legitimately handicapped. I do believe, however, by the sheer number of overweight people (kids, too) in these things that they are just too darn lazy to walk.

Again, I will say - I do not care if someone is using the ECV for medical reasons or convienence, it is none of my business. I also don't care who is pool hopping, using a refillable mug, getting their 3 year old in for 2, smokers smoking in non-smoking areas, people cooking in their room.........