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

[goofyforlife]

We discuss tobacco use, drug and alcohol use, overeating, bulimia, anorexia, obesity. We discuss school bullies. We discuss politics. Why is food and obesity a nono?

We discuss stuff all the time...nothing is ever done... After Columbine and other school shootings motived by children who could just not deal with it anymore, you'd think that school officials would crack down on bullies. Trust me, they still turn a blind eye. My dd was beat up off the school bus one day and the driver just drove away because she was a substitute and they were off her bus. School said it wasn't their property so they didn't care.

You can discuss food politely and comment on how unhealthy our school lunches are for all body types and opportunites for exercise are dwindleling without commenting that larger people who don't appear to be fit and appearing like wildfire and may affect you and your vacation at DW.

I don't want to see any child (fat, thin, black, blue, or otherwise) have the ability to buy chocolate bars or ice cream at school. Now i will say my DD's school has made improvements on the crap we got as kids and does make really good salads (turkey or chicken on top) and they seem to be popular because they run out of them before last lunch constantly.

If children are eating correctly and getting enough physical activity, they will most likely stay fit. It's when they eat lots of junk food, start snacking on unhealthy food throughout the day and don't exercise as much or at all, they get overweight and also lethargic or at least less energetic.

I'd like to know your definition of "Fit". Is that the uncoordinated child who doesn't like sports that weighs 180lb and is almost 6' tall? or is that the 105lb child who eats whatever that is skinny. From what i've seen both children could be unhealthy. You don't know the whole picture and neither does medical science. My DH has a cousin whose children (yes all five of them) have had cholesterol problems since they were born. How do we know? It is hereditary in the family. Heart problems are rapant in their family and guess what.... They are some of the most active kids and parents i've ever seen. Soccer, football, wrestling, you name it...They do it.... It's a shame that they will most likely have health issues and heart problems and no amount of healthy eating will help them. (and i've seen how their mom feeds them... All healthy... no red meats... only turkey dogs on special occasions)

We aren't all going to be a size 2 or evn a 6 or 8. And i think the government made it worse by completely ignoring bone structure when they configured a BMI chart to once again "LABEL" us normal (that nice size 2, fit, (insert other positive labels given to thin people) or overweight.....(you know us unhealthy cows, lazy folk, (other negatives people use) who are reduced to baking cookies for entertainment who have no sex lives and are not deserving of it either because we don't fit into your shallow "FIT" world. I have large ankle bones.... can't wear regular sized 9" anklets or narrow boots. but guess what i could loose a million lbs and guess what...my bones will never go away.... guess i'll never fit....

 

[Crankyshank]

I have no problem discussing the rise in obesity and possible causes and possible solutions. No one is disputing that there is an alarming increase in obesity. The thing I do have an issue with is the assumptions that because one is fat, they are lazy and eat donuts and McDonalds too much. I'm sure that is the case for some people but certainly not all. Inevitably all threads broaching this subject turn into fat bashing and It's incredibly condescending and insensitive.

It makes me want to scream at those who do that (mind you I am not saying everyone is like that). Do you think I like being overweight? Do you have any idea how frustrating it is to walk every day, go to the gym 3 nights a week, and eat healthy only to struggle for every ounce lost - only to be looked at with disgust and to be told I would be thin if I just moved my body and drove away from the drive thru? It's condescending attitudes like those that make it nearly impossible to discuss this subject on this board. Not everyone responds that way, but enough of them do to make it not much worth the effort and more than slightly disheartening.

 

[Kendra17]

We discuss stuff all the time...nothing is ever done... After Columbine and other school shootings motived by children who could just not deal with it anymore, you'd think that school officials would crack down on bullies. Trust me, they still turn a blind eye. My dd was beat up off the school bus one day and the driver just drove away because she was a substitute and they were off her bus. School said it wasn't their property so they didn't care.

You can discuss food politely and comment on how unhealthy our school lunches are for all body types and opportunites for exercise are dwindleling without commenting that larger people who don't appear to be fit and appearing like wildfire and may affect you and your vacation at DW.

I don't want to see any child (fat, thin, black, blue, or otherwise) have the ability to buy chocolate bars or ice cream at school. Now i will say my DD's school has made improvements on the crap we got as kids and does make really good salads (turkey or chicken on top) and they seem to be popular because they run out of them before last lunch constantly.

I'd like to know your definition of "Fit". Is that the uncoordinated child who doesn't like sports that weighs 180lb and is almost 6' tall? or is that the 105lb child who eats whatever that is skinny. From what i've seen both children could be unhealthy. You don't know the whole picture and neither does medical science. My DH has a cousin whose children (yes all five of them) have had cholesterol problems since they were born. How do we know? It is hereditary in the family. Heart problems are rapant in their family and guess what.... They are some of the most active kids and parents i've ever seen. Soccer, football, wrestling, you name it...They do it.... It's a shame that they will most likely have health issues and heart problems and no amount of healthy eating will help them. (and i've seen how their mom feeds them... All healthy... no red meats... only turkey dogs on special occasions)

We aren't all going to be a size 2 or evn a 6 or 8. And i think the government made it worse by completely ignoring bone structure when they configured a BMI chart to once again "LABEL" us normal (that nice size 2, fit, (insert other positive labels given to thin people) or overweight.....(you know us unhealthy cows, lazy folk, (other negatives people use) who are reduced to baking cookies for entertainment who have no sex lives and are not deserving of it either because we don't fit into your shallow "FIT" world. I have large ankle bones.... can't wear regular sized 9" anklets or narrow boots. but guess what i could loose a million lbs and guess what...my bones will never go away.... guess i'll never fit....

I wasn't criticizing any fat people, goofyforlife, and yet you are using my post as an example.

However, this is pretty much what I consider fit: http://www.healthchecksystems.com/bodyfat.htm

There is a chart midway down. I consider being fit (since you asked, even if only sarcastically) having a reasonable percentage of body fat and having some muscular definition. Not having extra fat.

Listen, I don't care what size you are. I really don't. I hope you are happy no matter what weight you are and I hope you have a positive body image.

I will tell you, though, that I have talked to many once-overweight (even obese) people who have dropped the pounds they considered themselves plagued with. They thought, at one time, that they were always going to be fat. And, they lost the weight by decreasing their food intake and increasing their physical activity. But, they had a PLAN. It IS hard to go to the gym not knowing what you're doing. But, everyone can learn if they desire. If they do not want to, fine.

Please, though, don't make the argument that being obese is just as healthy as being fit.

I've seen many thin people with big bones. Bone size has nothing to do with this discussion. You may never be a size 2, but there's no reason you can't be a size 8-- if you wanted to. But, that's only if you want to. If you feel happy with the way you are, then that's fine, too.

 

[kvogel11202]

OK, let's clear something up- I have 3 children, DD12, DS 11, DS 7. We have playstation, PS2, Game Cube, Nintendo 64, and 9 Gameboys, from the original to the Nintendo DS. We have a computer, we have 6 televisions. Not one of my children is overweight. My DD takes ballet, gymnastics and is a Civil Air patrol (USAF Auxillary) cadet. My DS11 does soccer and baseball, DS7 also does Soccer and Baseball, both are taking tap dancing class (all boys class, their choice) in the fall. When the sun is out, they have to go outside to play. They eat a sit down dinner each night at the table with the family. They also eat cookies, cake and all kinds of other junk food. It's the parents taking responsability for their children that will get these kids in shape. Instead of blaming the store for selling oreos, don't buy them. I don't understand where the idea came from that we cannot tell our kids no? I tell my kids no A LOT, and they are perfectly normal, well adjusted kids. I have 2 nephews who are obese. My ex-SIL gives them food constantly, never lets them go outside to play, oldest has Asthma, so she never let him do sports. It's terribly sad. Now he's diabetic and asthmatic. The younger nephew is even heavier than his brother was. He can hardly breath when he walks to far. Neither of his parents have been able to pick him up since he was 3. No medical condition, just lazy parents.

 

[FergieTCat]

I will tell you, though, that I have talked to many once-overweight (even obese) people who have dropped the pounds they considered themselves plagued with. They thought, at one time, that they were always going to be fat. And, they lost the weight by decreasing their food intake and increasing their physical activity. But, they had a PLAN. It IS hard to go to the gym not knowing what you're doing. But, everyone can learn if they desire. If they do not want to, fine.

Please, though, don't make the argument that being obese is just as healthy as being fit.

I've seen many thin people with big bones. Bone size has nothing to do with this discussion. You may never be a size 2, but there's no reason you can't be a size 8-- if you wanted to. But, that's only if you want to. If you feel happy with the way you are, then that's fine, too.

Kendra -

I am singling you out because I think you are trying too hard to prove a point you are not at all making, and haven't made in any one of your posts.

I don't understand how you can one the one hand insist you are "fine" with people who are overweight, but on the other hand state that there is no reason why everyone can't be at least (or at most) a size 8 if they "wanted to."

You've already stated that you value being a size 4/6, or at most, a size 8. If those are your values, that's fine. But don't try to back pedal now. It isn't working.

 

[FayeW]

Here is what it means, did you come to America and take a poll of americans? I do not remember you coming to my house, because hell, i don't even like Krispie Kremes, we hardly drink soda, my sister does not drink soda at all. So in your post please show me the statistical data of your analysis proving your theory or were you just sterotyping Americans.

There is no "statistical data" required to prove any "theory"! It was my opinion, my POINT OF VIEW (POV) which I clearly stated at the beginning of the first sentence of the post you took offense to!

I formed this opinion from the HUNDREDS of dining review, trip reports and various budget threads that I have read here on the DIS that discuss, at length, drink refills, refillable mugs and buying boxes of Krispy Kremes' at the gift store to feed the family for breakfast in the rooms!

These threads stand out to me because here in Canada, free refills on soft drinks at restaurants is not the norm. Im sure certain chains offer it, but GENERALLY speaking, a guest would order one soft drink, and that's all. I worked both as a server, and a restaurant manager, so I do have a basis for my comparison!

 

[Kendra17]

Kendra -

I am singling you out because I think you are trying too hard to prove a point you are not at all making, and haven't made in any one of your posts.

I don't understand how you can one the one hand insist you are "fine" with people who are overweight, but on the other hand state that there is no reason why everyone can't be at least (or at most) a size 8 if they "wanted to."

You've already stated that you value being a size 4/6, or at most, a size 8. If those are your values, that's fine. But don't try to back pedal now. It isn't working.

No, I really think you are missing the point. I have no problem with your weight or anybody's weight. I've not made one negative comment about the aesthetics of weight. Please reread my posts.

What I DID do is comment on my in-laws' health and personal feelings (their personal feelings, not mine) about their weight.

Additionally, I did state-- and stand by it-- that I found it distressing that parents choose to feed their kids unhealthy food, food that is outright bad for them and don't encourage physical fitness.

I also explained that I did not think the argument about anorexia or bulimia was valid since this thread was about health/fitness vs. obesity, not health/fitness vs. anorexia/bulimia.

I did express that staying a size 4/6 was important to me for health reasons and admitted I preferred being this weight/size for appearance, as well. I never once stated that my SIZE is better than someone larger. I did, however, imply that those at a lesser weight are MOST LIKELY healthier than someone who is obese. I still agree with this.

I am not back peddling, by any means. But, these entire arguments justifying obesity is absolutely insane, I think.

Let's just keep the rest of this simple. Are you making the argument that obesity is not a health risk? Are you making the argument that someone who is obese is as physically fit as someone who is not?

When I used to smoke I never once made the case that I was just as healthy as someone who wasn't smoking!

And, I still think it's a parental obligation and responsibility to give their kids a healthy start in life. This includes teaching them to eat right and be physically active. These things are a gift, as far as I am concerned, and one we owe our children.

I am sorry if you've found offense in any thing I've posted, but I am certain I have not criticized anyone's weight here. I didn't mention any people at WDW, I never mentioned (or even thought) that obesity personally offended me. . .it doesn't. But, I do feel badly for very overweight children whose parents aren't teaching them healthy life lessons and whose parents are inadvertently setting them up for a lifetime of weight issues (if they indeed feel they are having weight issues).

edited to add: And, I want to add this, since you mentioned it. IF someone is uNHAPPY with their weight, I think it's completely possible to LOSE IT. If you are happy with it, FINE. . . stay whatever weight you prefer. I am talking about people who bemoan the fact that it's HARD to go to the gym, eat right, and blame the prevalence of fast food in our culture. Let McDonald's sell fast food, let Hershey make their candy bars. They aren't force-feeding me. My food choices are my food choices, and I take personal responsiblity for what I eat. That's all I'm saying.
Thanks.

 

[FergieTCat]

Let's just keep the rest of this simple. Are you making the argument that obesity is not a health risk? Are you making the argument that someone who is obese is as physically fit as someone who is not?

My apologies if I misinterpreted any of your previous posts.

However, please show me where in any of my posts I implied either one of those two arguments.

 

[smartestnumber5]

You may never be a size 2, but there's no reason you can't be a size 8-- if you wanted to. But, that's only if you want to. If you feel happy with the way you are, then that's fine.

Well sure--everyone could fit in a size 8. They could have the fat sucked out or chopped out of them or they could have parts of their stomachs or intestines closed off so they can't absorb so many calories. If their hip bones were too big, they could just have them sawed off. They probably wouldn't live, but hey they COULD be a size 8 if they wanted to!

Seriously though, I'm assuming you meant that if everyone undertook reasonable means, they could be a size 8. I'm assuming you're not advocating everyone having liposuction or gastric bypasses to achieve this. I'd like to know, then, what reasonable means are guaranteed to work. How many calories are we talking? How many miles must one run a day? I'm assuming you and/or your research team have some studies on this published in peer reviewed journals.

It would actually be quite an acheivement if you figured that out, since according to the NYTimes (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/magazine/13obesity.html) 5 days ago, scientists have thus far been unable to do so. For instance, the first page of the article tells the story of researchers who determined exactly how many calories it should take for a 350 lb 5 foot 6 inch person to maintain their weight. They fed a patient in their facility exactly that many calories and she gained a pound a day. They were couldn't understand what had happened and she exclaimed "you're feeding me too much food!" Thus clearly it would have taken many fewer calories for her to maintain her weight, even fewer still to lose weight and to maintain the weight she ended up with. (The article then goes to explain that microbes in the digestive system might explain why different people actually absorb very different amounts of calories from the same food.) Thus, with the right microbial mix, it seems that it might be that some people could never be a size 8 without having to make unreasonable restrictions on food intake and unreasonable amounts of exercise.

So please, offer us your medical/scientific credentials and publications about this "everyone can be a size 8" claim.

 

[Kendra17]

Well sure--everyone could fit in a size 8. They could have the fat sucked out or chopped out of them or they could have parts of their stomachs or intestines closed off so they can't absorb so many calories. If their hip bones were too big, they could just have them sawed off. They probably wouldn't live, but hey they COULD be a size 8 if they wanted to!

Seriously though, I'm assuming you meant that if everyone undertook reasonable means, they could be a size 8. I'm assuming you're not advocating everyone having liposuction or gastric bypasses to achieve this. I'd like to know, then, what reasonable means are guaranteed to work. How many calories are we talking? How many miles must one run a day? I'm assuming you and/or your research team have some studies on this published in peer reviewed journals.

It would actually be quite an acheivement if you figured that out, since according to the NYTimes (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/magazine/13obesity.html) 5 days ago, scientists have thus far been unable to do so. For instance, the first page of the article tells the story of researchers who determined exactly how many calories it should take for a 350 lb 5 foot 6 inch person to maintain their weight. They fed a patient in their facility exactly that many calories and she gained a pound a day. They were couldn't understand what had happened and she exclaimed "you're feeding me too much food!" Thus clearly it would have taken many fewer calories for her to maintain her weight, even fewer still to lose weight and to maintain the weight she ended up with. (The article then goes to explain that microbes in the digestive system might explain why different people actually absorb very different amounts of calories from the same food.) Thus, with the right microbial mix, it seems that it might be that some people could never be a size 8 without having to make unreasonable restrictions on food intake and unreasonable amounts of exercise.

So please, offer us your medical/scientific credentials and publications about this "everyone can be a size 8" claim.

Since when is a weight thread like a political thread? This is amazing. I really don't care if you are a 4X or a 4. I don't care if you're a 22 or a 2. Or a 12.

If you are happy being heavy-- if ANYONE is happy being heavy-- by all means, stay that way.

If you would LIKE to be thin, then I think it's possible to be thin. I have known several people who were obese. When they actually made a decision in their lives to be thin, and to do the work to get that way-- they lost weight and got fit. It's difficult, but I THINK it's possible.

If you have a defeatest attitude and think it's impossible, then it's not possible.

If you believe in yourself and work to achieve the goals you want to reach-- and if the goal you want to reach is a size 6 or 8 or 10, then I think you can reach it.

As I said, I don't care how big anyone is. This is your issue, not mine. I haven't said ANYTHING negative about ANYONE here.

Except that I think it's our responsibility to teach our kids good habits. And, no, I don't think obesity is healthy.

 

[Kendra17]

Let me add something, too. A lot of time people starve themselves and eat too few calories. This is havoc on our metabolisms. If you really want to lose weight (only if YOU want to. . . remember, I don't care if you lose weight or not), then get out some books and read them.

Sometimes, when people want to lose weight, they practically starve themselves. Their bodies wind up losing lean muscle, not fat. The more muscle you have, the faster your metabolism is. So, it's important to eat every 3-4 hours, and choose the right foods in the right amounts. This speeds up your metabolism. Also, a lot of people don't eat enough protein to build muscle.

You can dispute me if you'd like, but I've seen what works, and I've done enough reading on the subject, since I'm very into this. It's about 80% diet and 20% exercise. That means, you can work out as much as you'd like, but if you don't change your diet, you won't lose the weight.

Again, let me stress I do NOT care what size you are. I don't care what size my neighbors are. I don't care what size the adults are at WDW. This does NOT matter to me. What does matter to me is people justifying obesity and stating that they are as healthy as leaner people. And, again, it doesn't bother me PERSONALLY, but I think it's wrong to perpetuate these myths.

And, I think it's wrong to perpetuate obesity in our children. I think it does them a great disservice.

If you are interested in losing weight, Body for Life by Bill Phillips is a great starting point. He also has before and after pictures and stories by people who've done it. That's IF YOU want to. I really don't care. . . but don't insist that it can't be done. It's difficult, but it CAN be done.

 

[HappyLawyer]

There is no "statistical data" required to prove any "theory"! It was my opinion, my POINT OF VIEW (POV) which I clearly stated at the beginning of the first sentence of the post you took offense to!

I formed this opinion from the HUNDREDS of dining review, trip reports and various budget threads that I have read here on the DIS that discuss, at length, drink refills, refillable mugs and buying boxes of Krispy Kremes' at the gift store to feed the family for breakfast in the rooms!

These threads stand out to me because here in Canada, free refills on soft drinks at restaurants is not the norm. Im sure certain chains offer it, but GENERALLY speaking, a guest would order one soft drink, and that's all. I worked both as a server, and a restaurant manager, so I do have a basis for my comparison!

sure what ever you say, nice try at a comback though

 

[HappyLawyer]

i went back to the first post and the title of the thread, is it about fat children or ECV's i am getting lost.

 

[TinkNH]

sheesh some ppl in this thread are so cranky ...go have an ice cream or something

IMHO I think the whole world would be a far better place if ppl spent more of their time and energy on themselves and less on worrying and criticizing others. When we go to the big mouse house in Sept...I dont care if you are walking, running, driving a scooter, swimming, skipping (that will be me BTW), pogosticking, crawling..... I will be there to have fun, and I would hope thats why you are there too..not to look around you and speculate or comment or criticise the ppl around you . Least not till you have spent a day in their shoes.

 

[fivefordisney]

Man, I don't want to read 5 pages so this may have been mentioned BUT

Did you actually see children driving ECV's? Your post mentions seeing several families on ECV's. I just envision families of cart riders driving around like the shriners and I have NEVER seen that in Disney... I also know there are strict rules governing those ECV's and children aren't allowed on them. Really nothing to add to the debate of fat people are lame/no they aren't but I thought that part of the story was odd.

I have...and they were not fat. It seemed to be a mom, dad and three teenagers. And I don't think they were disabled as we saw them park the ECVs and start chasing each other (the teenagers.) The reason I was watching them so intently was that one boy almost ran over my DS3--he did not seem to understand English and was shouting to his family in Spanish. I was really annoyed and admittedly became a bit ECV-predjudiced... Sad, but true.

More of an ECV issue that an obesity one!

 

[HappyLawyer]

sheesh some ppl in this thread are so cranky ...go have an ice cream or something

IMHO I think the whole world would be a far better place if ppl spent more of their time and energy on themselves and less on worrying and criticizing others. When we go to the big mouse house in Sept...I dont care if you are walking, running, driving a scooter, swimming, skipping (that will be me BTW), pogosticking, crawling..... I will be there to have fun, and I would hope thats why you are there too..not to look around you and speculate or comment or criticise the ppl around you . Least not till you have spent a day in their shoes.

OMG u made me laugh, you're a nut
make sure it is fat free ice cream

 

[smartestnumber5]

double post

 

[smartestnumber5]

QUOTE=Kendra17]

Since when is a weight thread like a political thread? This is amazing. I really don't care if you are a 4X or a 4. I don't care if you're a 22 or a 2. Or a 12.

If you are happy being heavy-- if ANYONE is happy being heavy-- by all means, stay that way.

If you would LIKE to be thin, then I think it's possible to be thin. I have known several people who were obese. When they actually made a decision in their lives to be thin, and to do the work to get that way-- they lost weight and got fit. It's difficult, but I THINK it's possible.

If you have a defeatest attitude and think it's impossible, then it's not possible.

If you believe in yourself and work to achieve the goals you want to reach-- and if the goal you want to reach is a size 6 or 8 or 10, then I think you can reach it.

As I said, I don't care how big anyone is. This is your issue, not mine. I haven't said ANYTHING negative about ANYONE here.

Except that I think it's our responsibility to teach our kids good habits. And, no, I don't think obesity is healthy.

I didn't mean to imply that you personally were judging fat people or that you think all people should be size 8 or less. While you might not have meant anything judgmental by your comments, you are putting forth claims (without any medical/scientific backing) that often are part of anti-fat attitudes—that ALL fat people chose to be that way and that they all could (with a REASONABLE change in diet and exercise alone) be quite thin. While you might stop there, others go further and conclude that since fat people refuse to make such reasonable changes, it's okay to express negative attitudes toward them

I think there's a problem with the idea that simply because something is a choice it therefore is okay to be judgmental or discriminatory regarding it (see all the threads talking about whether homosexuality is a choice) but that's another story. Since people (not necessarily you) do, in fact, justify fat-phobia this way, it seems we should be very careful about throwing about unsupported claims about how EVERY person (or almost all or the great majority) who is not a size 8 choices not to be by not undertaking reasonable steps to become a size 8.

The fact that your friends have gone from being obese to being a size 8 (assuming they did so undertaking reasonable dietary and activity changes) is great evidence that THEIR bodies are such that they CAN be a size 8. But this type of anecdotal evidence is not evidence that EVERYONE can do what they did. In fact, one might take the fact that some people do manage to lose a lot of weight and others who have tried all types of dieting and who have been fat throughout their lives regardless of the type of food or exercise they were engaging in at the time would be evidence that people's bodies are very different. Perhaps some people can, within reasonable means, become a size 8 and some can't.

It doesn’t seem like a stretch at all to think that some fat people couldn’t become a size 8 no matter what reasonable means they took. For instance, I can’t think of anything more extreme one can do than have part of their digestive system rearranged. Yet it seems that most of those undergoing gastric bypass surgery lose 65-80% of their “excess weight” and keep it off. One has to have at least about 100 lbs of excess weight to begin with in order to be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery, and even more weight if they’re not having any health problems. So someone getting gastric bypass would have to be at least around 240 lbs and then only if they have health problems; if they are healthy, they would have to weigh more. So take someone who is 300 lbs and has gastric bypass and loses and keeps off 75% of their excess weight—that is, after surgery they weigh 180 lbs. Now I don’t know much about how women’s sizes and weights line up, but I’m pretty sure that there is almost no way a 180 lb 5 foot 6 inch woman is going to fit in a size 8. If someone who has parts of their stomach and intestines blocked off still can’t be a size 8, then is it really reasonable to think that there is any way they could be?

I understand your concern with defeatist attitudes. Certainly, if someone is trying to do something it won’t do them any good to tell them it’s impossible—unless of course it IS impossible. For instance, take the woman mentioned in the NYTimes article whose weight gain stumped the doctors. It supposedly would take about 3000 calories a day for her to maintain her weight assuming she got absolutely no activity. But somehow she managed to gain a pound a day where a pound is supposedly equivalent to 3500 calories that have not burned off. Her body was acting as if it had received 6500 calories a day, not 3000. Now what would it have taken for her to become and stay a size 8 if her body continued to process calories this way? Well, to maintain a weight of 140 lbs one would normally need just over 2000 calories a day (with moderate exercise). But if one’s body essentially more than doubles the calories it receives, then one would have to have less than 1000 calories a day to maintain that weight. What good would it do someone like this to hear “of course you can be a size 8” when in order to do that she might very well have to eat 800 calories a day. This is not reasonable nor healthy. It is not defeatist to say that if one’s body consistently metabolizes calories in this way, then one can NEVER be a size 8 (at least not without continually starving oneself). In fact, it would seem cruel to tell such a person that, if she just tried harder, she could be a size 8.

What we need, I think, is some type of middle ground--encouraging everyone (fat or thin) to attain what they can...the most healthy lifestyle they can reasonably create for themselves.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Some of us have an ongoing battle with weight.

I am about 15 lb over where I should be.

My daughter (age 30) recently lost 60+ lbs. I was not a good example to her when she was a child. I freely gave cake, cookies, ice cream, etc., with no regard for daily calorie intake. I now am trying to change all of that.

At least I have learned (age 60) that if I continue in my splurging manner, I will not be able to enjoy the freedom of easily walking and exercising when I keep getting larger. That is what this post is all about, isn't it? What are we teaching our kids about healthy eating, and is your size giving you the ability to walk and enjoy, or do you have to ride due to undue stress on your heart?

Wake up, everyone!

 

[TimeforMe]

Some of us have an ongoing battle with weight.

I am about 15 lb over where I should be.

My daughter (age 30) recently lost 60+ lbs. I was not a good example to her when she was a child. I freely gave cake, cookies, ice cream, etc., with no regard for daily calorie intake. I now am trying to change all of that.

At least I have learned (age 60) that if I continue in my splurging manner, I will not be able to enjoy the freedom of easily walking and exercising when I keep getting larger. That is what this post is all about, isn't it? What are we teaching our kids about healthy eating, and is your size giving you the ability to walk and enjoy, or do you have to ride due to undue stress on your heart?

Wake up, everyone!

Yes, it is Pluto. Thank you.

A little info taken from KidSource online:
Defining Obesity in Children and Adolescents
Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat. Obesity is present when total body weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more than 32 percent fat in girls (Lohman, 1987). Although childhood obesity is often defined as a weight-for-height in excess of 120 percent of the ideal, skinfold measures are more accurate determinants of fatness (Dietz, 1983; Lohman, 1987).


A trained technician may obtain skinfold measures relatively easily in either a school or clinical setting. The triceps alone, triceps and subscapular, triceps and calf, and calf alone have been used with children and adolescents. When the triceps and calf are used, a sum of skinfolds of 10-25mm is considered optimal for boys, and 16-30mm is optimal for girls (Lohman, 1987).

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The Problem of Obesity
Not all obese infants become obese children, and not all obese children become obese adults. However, the prevalence of obesity increases with age among both males and females (Lohman, 1987), and there is a greater likelihood that obesity beginning even in early childhood will persist through the life span (Epstein, Wing, Koeske, & Valoski, 1987).

Obesity presents numerous problems for the child. In addition to increasing the risk of obesity in adulthood, childhood obesity is the leading cause of pediatric hypertension, is associated with Type II diabetes mellitus, increases the risk of coronary heart disease, increases stress on the weight-bearing joints, lowers self-esteem, and affects relationships with peers. Some authorities feel that social and psychological problems are the most significant consequences of obesity in children.
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Causes of Childhood Obesity
As with adult-onset obesity, childhood obesity has multiple causes centering around an imbalance between energy in (calories obtained from food) and energy out (calories expended in the basal metabolic rate and physical activity). Childhood obesity most likely results from an interaction of nutritional, psychological, familial, and physiological factors.

The Family
The risk of becoming obese is greatest among children who have two obese parents (Dietz, 1983). This may be due to powerful genetic factors or to parental modeling of both eating and exercise behaviors, indirectly affecting the child's energy balance. One half of parents of elementary school children never exercise vigorously (Ross & Pate, 1987).


Low-energy Expenditure
The average American child spends several hours each day watching television; time which in previous years might have been devoted to physical pursuits. Obesity is greater among children and adolescents who frequently watch television (Dietz & Gortmaker, 1985), not only because little energy is expended while viewing but also because of concurrent consumption of high-calorie snacks. Only about one-third of elementary children have daily physical education, and fewer than one-fifth have extracurricular physical activity programs at their schools (Ross & Pate, 1987).

Heredity
Since not all children who eat non-nutritious foods, watch several hours of television daily, and are relatively inactive develop obesity, the search continues for alternative causes. Heredity has recently been shown to influence fatness, regional fat distribution, and response to overfeeding (Bouchard et al., 1990). In addition, infants born to overweight mothers have been found to be less active and to gain more weight by age three months when compared with infants of normal weight mothers, suggesting a possible inborn drive to conserve energy (Roberts, Savage, Coward, Chew, & Lucas, 1988).