WTH Plus size clothes for kids!?! vent

[Disneynutbsv]

Personally, I feel that the plus sizes are the in between sizes. My daughter is a 12 1/2. The ones from JCPenney's fit her perfectly. She's not quite a size 14 yet and the 12 1/2's fit her well. She's not chubby, or fat. I think they should rename the clothes the in betweens, not plus sizes.

 

[vivilasvegas]

What is fat for a child? I don't know, I don't know sizing or what not. I do know it doesn't help ANYONE to put down the child or berate the parents.

But I think we can all admit, there are more very overweight children than there used to be. Sure, some of it may be genetics, or medical, but some of it is just the we are today. When I was a kid, besides all the sports I was in, our whole neighborhood was out running around all day playing. We didn't have video games or the internet then. So you just naturally burned calories.
I also had the luxury of a mom who didn't have to work. So the food I ate was mostly homemade. We would have McDonalds for a treat on Saturdays.
I realize that it's different today. Also, look in the stores at the prepackaged foods. They have a lot of calories, even if they aren't junk food. And oh well, that's all some of us can afford. I have no kids, and I can't afford to buy the organic foods that are so healthy for me, so I can't imagine telling a working parent what they should be buying.

What I'm saying is there is no point in blaming anyone. Circumstances are different now and it's something some of us may need to deal with at some point in our lives.

But I don't think we can deny the fact that obesity (along with drugs, smoking, anorexia) is a problem in our society today that we have to fix.

But how?

 

[Christine]

What is fat for a child? I don't know, I don't know sizing or what not. I do know it doesn't help ANYONE to put down the child or berate the parents.

But I think we can all admit, there are more very overweight children than there used to be. Sure, some of it may be genetics, or medical, but some of it is just the we are today. When I was a kid, besides all the sports I was in, our whole neighborhood was out running around all day playing. We didn't have video games or the internet then. So you just naturally burned calories.
I also had the luxury of a mom who didn't have to work. So the food I ate was mostly homemade. We would have McDonalds for a treat on Saturdays.
I realize that it's different today. Also, look in the stores at the prepackaged foods. They have a lot of calories, even if they aren't junk food. And oh well, that's all some of us can afford. I have no kids, and I can't afford to buy the organic foods that are so healthy for me, so I can't imagine telling a working parent what they should be buying.

What I'm saying is there is no point in blaming anyone. Circumstances are different now and it's something some of us may need to deal with at some point in our lives.

But I don't think we can deny the fact that obesity (along with drugs, smoking, anorexia) is a problem in our society today that we have to fix.

But how?

Very well said.

I know that I am *lucky* that neither of my kids have a weight problem. I guess I have always chalked it up to good genes as I don't think I go out of my way to fix overly-healthy food. But then, I think about things and maybe I'm not so bad. My DD (14) is VERY thin. This past summer, at 14, she stayed home alone for the first time (I work). We have an old gas cooktop and she has not mastered it yet so I was very nervous in letting her cook for herself while I was not in the house. So the rule was that everything had to microwaved. She hates sandwiches. Everyday she made herself Kraft Easy Mac, nachos, Hot Pockets. You get the picture. By the end of the summer she had put on 10 lbs. That's a lot of weight in 2 months for a tiny girl. I didn't get whizzed out because she is so tiny. In fact, she looked good with the extra 10 lbs. But, when would it have stopped? What if she ate that way everyday? I then realized it wasn't all about the "thin genes" for her. A lot of it is because we do try to avoid the convenience, pre-packaged foods.

While I certainly believe there are disorders and medical conditions that cause weight gain, I still believe that these instances constitute the minority and not the majority. I cannot think that the majority of overweight children are that way because their thyroids are shot, they are on prednisone, or they have sluggish genes.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Here's the problem-with everything increasing in price-including gas, heat, etc. you must live on a tight budget. Look at the cost of produce at the market just tonight:

Strawberries-4.00/lb
Apples 1.50/lb
Broccoli 1.50 bunch
oranges 4.00/4 lb bag
grapes 2.49/lb
raspberries 2.99 1/2 pint

The only item on sale is bananas at .29 per pound.

BUT...the entire chip row was on sale.

If I am trying to feed my family of 3 on a budget of 60-75 per week-I cannot spend half of that for a bag of produce. If we want to change habits and stem obersity-make the nutritional things affordable for the average family.

I am a firm believer that genetics plays a part in the obesity problem though. I gain 10 pounds staring at a bag of chips, we have a friend who is tall and skinny and eats junk like a pig.

Do not punish kids for being fat-at least give them something to wear.

 

[nwdisgal]

Shows that a healthy child isn't necessarily a rail. And there are plenty of skinny kids who eat an awful diet, which isn't healthy and will very likely catch up with them when they are older.

This is true. My DD is a competitive distance swimmer. She's very muscular and low body fat percentage. If she eats crap, she pays for it energy wise. She has to eat healthy to keep her strength and endurance up. Yet she is amazed at girlfriends who are not active at all, that are very thin (genetically gifted) and eat junk food all day long. It is frustrating for her to say the least, but I tell her, hey, be proud that you are learning healthy eating habits at a young age.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Here's the problem-with everything increasing in price-including gas, heat, etc. you must live on a tight budget. Look at the cost of produce at the market just tonight:

Strawberries-4.00/lb
Apples 1.50/lb
Broccoli 1.50 bunch
oranges 4.00/4 lb bag
grapes 2.49/lb
raspberries 2.99 1/2 pint

The only item on sale is bananas at .29 per pound.

BUT...the entire chip row was on sale.

If I am trying to feed my family of 3 on a budget of 60-75 per week-I cannot spend half of that for a bag of produce. If we want to change habits and stem obersity-make the nutritional things affordable for the average family.

I am a firm believer that genetics plays a part in the obesity problem though. I gain 10 pounds staring at a bag of chips, we have a friend who is tall and skinny and eats junk like a pig.

Do not punish kids for being fat-at least give them something to wear.

I agree. It's way too expensive for the average family to "eat healthy".

I don't know how we can fix the problem. But I do agree that there's no sense in making the child feel bad about it. I'm sure they feel bad enough on their own.

 

[nwdisgal]

A generation ago in Japan a fat kid was unheard of. Now they've got obese teenagers all over the place. Why? Because a generation ago they didn't have mc donalds and KFC.

Kids don't just mysteriously 'get fat'; they get fat because they eat crap. Garbage In, Garbage Out (sorry, geek term).

I'm sorry, but the moms with overweight kids that claim they're feeding them right are just wrong. How can I say that? Well, if you fed your kid 'right' and made sure he/she got enough exercise he/she wouldn't be fat.

And you would know this because you have what sort of expertise in it? Give me a break!

 

[ducklite]

Here's the problem-with everything increasing in price-including gas, heat, etc. you must live on a tight budget. Look at the cost of produce at the market just tonight:

Strawberries-4.00/lb
Apples 1.50/lb
Broccoli 1.50 bunch
oranges 4.00/4 lb bag
grapes 2.49/lb
raspberries 2.99 1/2 pint

The only item on sale is bananas at .29 per pound.

BUT...the entire chip row was on sale.

If I am trying to feed my family of 3 on a budget of 60-75 per week-I cannot spend half of that for a bag of produce. If we want to change habits and stem obersity-make the nutritional things affordable for the average family.

I am a firm believer that genetics plays a part in the obesity problem though. I gain 10 pounds staring at a bag of chips, we have a friend who is tall and skinny and eats junk like a pig.

Do not punish kids for being fat-at least give them something to wear.

I believe you can feed a family nutritious food and stay in a budget. That bunch of broccoli is enough for two meals--and still cheaper than a box of frozen with half the amount. That's not a bad price for apples and oranges--where you generally have four per pound. Strawberries and raspberries are always expensive, grapes fluctuate wildly, I only buy them when they are on sale. Instead of potatoes, serve rice, it's far less expensive. Buy whole chickens, a family of three should be able to get two meals out of a whole chicken, three cups of rice, and a bunch of brocoli--that's about $12 for two nutritious meals for three.

Anne

 

[vivilasvegas]

I believe you can feed a family nutritious food and stay in a budget. That bunch of broccoli is enough for two meals--and still cheaper than a box of frozen with half the amount. That's not a bad price for apples and oranges--where you generally have four per pound. Strawberries and raspberries are always expensive, grapes fluctuate wildly, I only buy them when they are on sale. Instead of potatoes, serve rice, it's far less expensive. Buy whole chickens, a family of three should be able to get two meals out of a whole chicken, three cups of rice, and a bunch of brocoli--that's about $12 for two nutritious meals for three.

Anne

But I hate broccoli!!! It stinks when you cook it!

(coming from the child who had a bowl of peas dumped on her head when she refused to eat them )

 

[dismom9761]

A generation ago in Japan a fat kid was unheard of. Now they've got obese teenagers all over the place. Why? Because a generation ago they didn't have mc donalds and KFC.

Kids don't just mysteriously 'get fat'; they get fat because they eat crap. Garbage In, Garbage Out (sorry, geek term).

I'm sorry, but the moms with overweight kids that claim they're feeding them right are just wrong. How can I say that? Well, if you fed your kid 'right' and made sure he/she got enough exercise he/she wouldn't be fat.

That is just soo wrong.I would love for you to follow my DD6 around and see what she eats. Her normal lunch in her lunch box is a big salad and fruit.My DD is an expert in what is healthy and what is not.Some people do think that she is too big.She does have to wear plus size clothing.And yes,I have asked the Dr. just to be sure.She is in the 95% in weight and 95% in height.If I ate like she does I would be rail thin.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

do you have a problem with the "slim" sizes as well? Maybe you think those kids don't eat enough? Good grief! Kids come in all sizes.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Not sure what sized oranges you get that they are 4 to a pound. Try 2. The bag had 8 oranges in it. Strawberries go for a buck a pound in the summer here. Not sure how that stick of broccoli would feed people for 2 meals. I like to be full when I eat. I would rather die a few years sooner and enjoy myself anyway.

I guess I like meat on my bones. It keeps me warm in the winter.

 

[Goofyzgurl]

How tiring it is to must have the worries of the world on your shoulders. I am so tired of certain people "assuming" that what the choices they make in life is so much better than everyone else. What I am concerned about are kids who are raised in a household where arrogance and intolerance are taught. We can teach adults how to eat better, but it's much harder to teach tolerance and compassion when they get older. I would just hate to hear what you teach your kids about minorities, religion, the handicap, the elderly, etc....lets make a deal, you worry about what you have in your cart and I'll worry about what I have in my cart.

 

[arkansas mom]

Cindyluwho--I just wanted to let you know that I *get* what you are saying. I can see that people are really inflamed here and I don't understand why. It's not as if you stated that you were shocked that there are plus-sized clothes for girls. I agree, what is shocking is the EXPANSION of the plus-sized clothing for children.

Ummm. Yeah. It is truly shocking that stores would even entertain the idea of offering an expanded collection of clothing for children who don't fit into "regular" sizes. Yeah. Those misfits should never have the opportunity to choose from cute, trendy styles like "regular" kids. Perish the thought! You're indeed onto something here. We should start a campaign to eliminate the "EXPANSION" of plus-sized clothing for children. From now on, department stores will only be allowed to carry one style each of jeans, dress pants, tops, and dresses. This style, of course, will be a modified version of the old lady or the old grandpa collection--only difference being that they won't be available in as many colors as offered in the old lady/grandpa collection. This section of the store will be located either a) in the bowels of the store with dim lighting and posters of regular sized, happy kids which will shame the poor fat kids and inspire them to shed a few pounds; or b) in the center of the store where regular sized people will point and stare as the poor fat kids struggle to find their rations on the one shelf allocated for this department. If this doesn't cause sufficient pain to affect change in their eating habits, activity level, thyroid or metabolism, we could pelt them with size two jeans (cute, trendy jeans, of course) and drag their vile parents to the food court where we will take turns flogging them and threatening them with a full investigation by Child Protective Services.

As far as this thread--I just can't see how it got so weird. Yes, the OP said "Yes, there should be clothing for all sizes, but to see it take up a dedicated section in kidswear is scary.

Scary indeed.

 

[vivilasvegas]

Okay, I've thought about it, but i'm just gonna say it.

Why is the subject of obesity so taboo?????

I think we are all adults and capable of discussing it without getting so insulting or defensive about it. Believe me, when I was a smoker, no one had any problem showing their disgust with me, shaking their head at me, and pretty much saying i'm trash. All in the disguise of saying "oh, it's bad for your health".

Obesity is a problem, and we can't deny it. Possibly there are more tactful ways to go about discussing this than the original post, but it still needs a discussion.

 

[Lil_Tink]

Ok...Didnt read the whole board but...



Lets say a kid is chunky. They are losing weight but can fit into regular sizes....




I am a size 3 when all my friends are 00. I just have more curves them then but not overweight.

 

[Cindyluwho]

So the blanket assumption by the OP that all children that wear these sizes are in need of medical intervention is ill informed and well, silly.

Where, in God's name, did you get the idea that I ever said that? I have made it perfectly clear, 3 or 4 times in this thread, that I was not talking about children who are chubby, overweight or chunky getting ready for a growth spurt. And I NEVER said anything about medical intervention. I'm talking about children who are obese, because of their parent's lack of concern and lousy eating habits. I'm NOT talking about anyone else. I'm just angry about those parents who don't care enough to change their eating habits for the sake of their children's future.

 

[Sandcass]

My biggest problem with the OP is her assumption that all children who wear plus size clothes are OBESE. It's simply not the case. My DD is fit, healthy and active and wore a plus size jean for years.

Funny thing, today in the midst of all this discussion I had to tell my DD that she was going to get a stomach ache from eating too much SPINACH. (She had made herself a big salad for lunch and loves raw spinach on it.) Kinda ironic.

 

[Tink&SquirtsMom]

A generation ago in Japan a fat kid was unheard of. Now they've got obese teenagers all over the place. Why? Because a generation ago they didn't have mc donalds and KFC.

Kids don't just mysteriously 'get fat'; they get fat because they eat crap. Garbage In, Garbage Out (sorry, geek term).

I'm sorry, but the moms with overweight kids that claim they're feeding them right are just wrong. How can I say that? Well, if you fed your kid 'right' and made sure he/she got enough exercise he/she wouldn't be fat.

I'd love to hear how you would explain my dd's best friends then. They are triplets, and all 3 different sizes. One wears slim and is SUPER skinny, one is average build (the one boy) and one is a plus size. The all 3 eat the same diet, are all on soccer team w/ my dd, join in the same outdoor play time, etc. To me it seems as obvious as why one is good at math, and one excels at gymnastics, while the other learned to read first... kids are just different. But I guess to you it would be inexplicable. Maybe the big one is sneaking out of the house and getting ding dongs at night??

I sincerely hope that those of you so concerned about obese children (and I do agree it is a concern) are very careful about the way you broach the topic with your own children. My SIL was an average sized kid , and was a chunky preteen. She was 12 and a plus size when I met her. Her mom tried to help by suggesting various diets and educating her on nutrition, etc. But she would also make comments about other people they saw (oh you wouldn't want to look like that, etc) and talk about everything her daughter ate (shes done this to me too, and I'm a size 4). I just saw SIL for the first time in a year at Thanksgiving (she's now 21) and the entire family was worried that she is anorexic. She ate nothing at dinner (on Thanksgiving!), you could see every bone in body through her 00 sized clothes, and she looked so unhealthy. She now has a lifelong issue from what was likely just a few prepubescent pounds. And I know thats not what the OP was talking about in her first post, I'm just saying if your talking like that here I hope you are taking care in how you are talking to your children... and no I'm not implying your kids will be anorexic. Just as parents kids give more weight (no pun intended) to our comments then we might sometimes realize so its very important to be aware of that.

And another thing (then I'm done I promise), my teeny dd who is 5th percentile in both height and weight can sometimes only wear the husky size (and sometimes can wear slim too) because her legs are to short for the next size up, but she was graced with her daddy's booty... which is a fine one at that. Its not a bad thing (well except when shes older and into guys we might think it is), in fact I wish I had it and could fill out my jeans a bit better, but it does give her curves that some of the smaller sizes just don't account for. Again I know you were talking about the really obese kids, but for every 1 of the obese kids buying the plus size, there are probably many more average sized kids buying them for various reasons (weight before growth spurt, unique shape, muscular build, etc, etc, etc).

 

[Planogirl]

Where, in God's name, did you get the idea that I ever said that? I have made it perfectly clear, 3 or 4 times in this thread, that I was not talking about children who are chubby, overweight or chunky getting ready for a growth spurt. And I NEVER said anything about medical intervention. I'm talking about children who are obese, because of their parent's lack of concern and lousy eating habits. I'm NOT talking about anyone else. I'm just angry about those parents who don't care enough to change their eating habits for the sake of their children's future.

OK, so there are fat kids out there and it makes you angry. So what do you plan to do about it?

By the way, my son was given a very occasional soda at that age while we were out. This is no way indicated his usual diet and he's quite thin. So maybe don't be so quick to judge those kids you see with a soda.