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

[MosMom]

Wow, I go in 45 days. I'll have to keep an eye out for these families on ECV's. I have a friend who uses an ECV due to severe asthma and she is overweight. Yes, her weight probably doesn't help her asthma but there is nothing worse than being in the park with her and seeing the looks she gets. It is really awful.

Just like any other problem facing us, you have to start at home. Just think about how the other person feels when you stare or make comments. It probably just makes them want to eat more if they are depressed! Everything starts at home and education will eventually make the change. It certainly won't happen overnight especially since this is a relatively new issue put out there.

 

[Planogirl]

I see nothing wrong with having cake at birthday parties. Or even light desserts after evening meals. That's how I grew up and I don't think that as many people were fat back then or at least it seemed like they weren't. I think that the difference was that sweets were special treats and weren't eaten on a constant basis.

As for getting off the couch and not playing video games, I think that a proper balance is good. Lots of video games balanced with lots of activity seems to work well or at least it does for my strong, wiry son.

 

[Uncle Remus]

 

[Uncle Remus]

popcorn anyone?
I woulda brought the birthday carrots and birthday broccoli, but no one said it's their birthday.

Hi kejoda, good to see ya again

 

[goofy's friends]

popcorn anyone?
I woulda brought the birthday carrots and birthday broccoli, but no one said it's their birthday.

Hi kejoda, good to see ya again

It is a sad, sad day when 6 year olds have to have Birthday Broccoli, isn't it??????

 

[I Love Pluto]

Thanks for the popcorn. Is there sugar in it?

 

[Uncle Remus]

goofy's friends, really sad

I Love Pluto, no, no sugar at all

 

[disykat]

Those kids can have plenty of birthday cake, but they can have it at home where their parents know they are eating it. Birthdays can easily be celebrated without food. I've been either in school myself or teaching for about 30 years and have only seen the food beyond Kindergarten recently.

As a parent, it has always driven me nuts to have unexpected treats at school. I may have already sent cookies in their lunch, planned an ice cream treat after school, or made a special dessert for that night. I could plan around parties and an occasional excess won't hurt them. However, I couldn't plan around the DAILY candy and treats my kids got in grade school. Well, actually once I figured out they were constantly given candy etc. in their classrooms I just knew that I couldn't give them treats at home on a school day. It made me sad, because I love giving my kids treats and would rather have kept that priviledge for myself sometimes.

While I wouldn't necessarily want my child's lunch monitored for sugar, I would LOVE it if they disallowed the snacks that are brought in constantly. When I was growing up we only got treats at school at holiday parties and other rare occasions - and we survived! (This is a huge pet peeve of mine because my sons had teachers who handed out candy EVERY DAY for good behavior. Basically my child got candy to remind the naughty kids to behave. ERG!)

Okay, back to the OP. I agree that obesity is problematic in our society and could be attributed to a lack of exercise. I also agree that having a disability makes it tough to exercise. I can't imagine any CHOOSING to ride in a scooter or wheelchair at WDW rather than walking if they are able. I really doubt it happens much.

 

[TimeforMe]

I can't imagine any CHOOSING to ride in a scooter or wheelchair at WDW rather than walking if they are able. I really doubt it happens much.

I can't either. I think, in a sense, they do choose it sometimes out of "convenience", so to speak. Of course, once again, I'm not speaking about everyone, however I do believe people use them because they plainly and simply would rather ride than walk. Of course, it's JMO and an observation on my part.

Good post, by the way, and a good perspective on the snack in school issue.

 

[kejoda]

Hi Remus!!!! You make the best popcorn!!

 

[MosMom]

I was thinking about this and I also wanted to add that those ECV's aren't cheap! My friend who uses one typically tacks on an extra $300 to her vacation. I just highly doubt anyone would pay that much more simply because they are lazy. That is a lot of money! Not to mention, getting one for the whole family!

 

[shortbun]

Actually, I get an ECV so I can get to all the good rides first. lol, jk but if I ever need one or even want one, I'll rent it guilt free. It's my choice and it's about me. Don't worry your pretty head about it.
Wanna talk about childhood obesity? Different subject. My son plays video games but there is a limit on his time. He plays basketball every day, goes to the pool almost every day, plays soccer in the field several times a week, plays flashlight tag and rides bikes with the neighbors. He loves ice cream and popcorn too! The kid is lean and mean. He's a competitive chess player and fearless when it comes to physical endeavors. He's known about food dye, refined sugar, fiber, fat and healthy diet since he was a little boy. He drinks too much pop(I allow one a day, I know ) but enjoys water and milk as well. Will he be an obese adult? Maybe, he's got some of the bad food habits. I'm hoping he'll hear his mom saying, "don't make food a reward" and " your fist is an appropriate serving size of ice cream because your stomach isn't any bigger than that!" There is NO "clean plate" rule at my house but veggies are primary while bread and french fries are considered secondary. We are loving the McD's Asian Salad around here. And we share a small fry between 3 of us. Water please.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Wow, I go in 45 days. I'll have to keep an eye out for these families on ECV's.

There is an age limit of 18+ to rent and operate an ECV at WDW. I have never seen a kid drive one, but many times I have seen them standing on the back or behind the handlebars (adult driving). My concern is they can get hurt there.

 

[MosMom]

I know there is an age limit of 18 to rent one, that is why I'm surprised the OP saw several children driving them.

 

[Stitchfans]

Wow, I go in 45 days. I'll have to keep an eye out for these families on ECV's. I have a friend who uses an ECV due to severe asthma and she is overweight. Yes, her weight probably doesn't help her asthma but there is nothing worse than being in the park with her and seeing the looks she gets. It is really awful.

Just like any other problem facing us, you have to start at home. Just think about how the other person feels when you stare or make comments. It probably just makes them want to eat more if they are depressed! Everything starts at home and education will eventually make the change. It certainly won't happen overnight especially since this is a relatively new issue put out there.

At first I thought I would ignore this and move on, but I changed my mind. Just as the woman that was described about- I also have a weight problem and asthma, and yes no doubt the weight problem doesn't help.

But this thread reminds me of one I just read a few moments ago about people saying things they shouldn't say. What is the purpose in the entire thread? Common sense tells you there will be people offended by it.

I wouldn't be surprised if the OP would be one of those people who get impatient with me at DW when I am walking slow and in their way, because I am so fat and have asthma. I always choose to walk. I just have to do it slowly.

 

[CathrynRose]

Hi Dana
Yes, that's the point. Just look at how much they miss out on! Not being able to participate in team sports--heck just not even being able to move around freely. And the social aspects of it.....I won't even get into.

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.

 

[Crankyshank]

I remember a few weeks back there was a thread asking if people would use an ECV at Disney in order to rest up for partying and dancing later that night.
There was an overwhelming majority of Hell No's. And many people, myself included, posted that there was a time when we really needed an ecv because of injury or whatever reason and didn't get one because of not wanting to be pointed at or sneered at. We were lambasted by some posters who thought it was ridiculous we would not use an ECV out of fear of what other's thought.

I hope those people are reading this thread now because this thread is precisely why I didn't rent an ECV even though it was needed. I would have been another lazy fat person who should get off her duff and move

 

[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.

 

[MosMom]

What is the purpose in the entire thread? Common sense tells you there will be people offended by it.

 

[Castlebound]

I'm not getting into the whole debate about the ECVs at Disney. I think they are a pain in the butt for people walking just like strollers are. At the same time I'm sure that walking people are a pain in the butt for people with ECVs and strollers. So we are all equally put out by each other!

I think that childhood obesity rates have skyrocketed in the past several years. When I was a kid there were maybe five really obese kids out of the 100 in my grade. Two of the five had medical reason for the problem, and the other three just ate too much and exercised too little. Now when I go to my kids' school I see so many more kids that are obese. They aren't carrying a little too much baby fat, they are obese. My kids go to a small school where everybody knows just about everything about everybody else, so I do know that there are still only a hand full that have a medical reason for their obesity. The rest still SEEM to have the same problem that the three obese kids in my grade had. They eat too much and exercise too little. They don't live with me, so I don't see what they are like 24/7.

I know what it is like to come from a family that is naturally heavier. My dad's side of my family is heavier, but none of them are obese. My mom's side of the family is naturally thin. My mom and I can eat the same foods and exercise the same amount yet she is a fine boned size 4 and I am a heavier boned size 10. If I don't watch what I eat and exercise I'm sure that I could easily get to a size 16 like some of my aunts. It is unfair that I work just as hard as my mom but I'm still heavier. I know that if I want to be smaller I have to work even harder. As unfair as it is some people have to work really hard to be in the normal weight range. It just seems like many people have given up on trying.