Obesity in todays youth. The parents fault, the schools, or....both?

Question

I think that since some schools are limiting PE to only once a week or removing it all together they are partly to blame. Some parents buy alot of fatty foods for their kids. Some don't care of their kids spend hours playing video games.

Kids are like some puppies, they need a lot of exercise to expel that hard earned energy. You know it's the same energy you fed them for lunch.

Why do parents deny they are at fault? The show Honey We are Killing the Kids. Can anyone say eye opener. Children spend less the 8 hours at school. They are at home at least 1/3 of the time, enough for parents to do what they are supposed to. Raise healthy kids.

If your child is overweight maybe now is a good time to buy him/her that bike. Those rollerblades, a mini basketball net. It is not all what they eat but the lack of exercise they get at home.

What are your opinons on the matter?

Answer 1

I agree. Also, have you seen the lunch menu the schools serve the kids? It is ridiculous. Many parents, because they work, think it is ok to serve their kids quick, easy and unhealthy meals. It is a shame. What is even more of a shame is stores are cashing in on fat kids. I go to look for children's clothes and they actually have plus sizes for kids! I have a hard time finding "slims" for my kids. I remember when I was a kid, finding "slims" was not the issue. Kids DO need lots of exercise and it wouldn't hurt the parents to get out there and join them!

Answer 2

Every aspect of society is responsible in some form but ultimately it is the parents responsibility. I saw a TV show last night that I have never seen before called We are Killing the Kids. They look at the eating habits as well as their daily routines of the whole family and tell the parents how to prevent the kids from being over weight and unhealthy. In this show they tried to change the diet of the whole family, the kids exercise time and helping around the house, the parent's smoking, and the parents time together. The family did away with junk food and tried healthy meals. The snacks stayed gone but the menu did not stay healthy. The younger kid liked the karate class but the other did not. The parents said they never intended to try to make the kids help with chores and did not. The parents did not and said they will not stop smoking. But it did appear that they began to only smoke outside. If that is true then it will help some. The parents went on the first date since the 12 year old was born and had a great time - this can help them be happier which will help the kids. The parents basically at the end of the show said they would rather their life be what they see as normal and take the risk of their kids lives. So they are VERY responsible. Our kids learn what they live and see daily.
So parents be the right example!!!!

Answer 3

Yes, I think it is societies fault as a whole. I have 4 kids and all of them are very active and at about the 50% range for weight and in the 75% range for height. I have a rule in my house: I will buy the "bad" foods as long as they are active and not wanting to spend a lot of time sitting in front of the TV playing games or watching TV.

I think that it is also the food that we, as parents, cook or don't cook. I buy all my meat from a local meat market because it doesn't have all the hormones and antibotics in it. I COOK dinner. Nothing boxed or caned. We don't eat out at places like MacDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, etc. except as a treat.

We live in GA and at the elementary school that my kids go to, they have PE 2x a week but they go outside everyday, if its not raining or under a certain tempature. In the middle school that my oldest goes to, they have a PE class that they have to take 2 out of 3 semesters and then a Health class. We also do things like cheerleading and when my boys get a few years older (they are now 4 and 2 1/2), they will do something.

But good point! Parents want everything that is fast and easy and so many parents work so they don't have time to cook and do everything else that needs to be done for the next day. I'm sorry if I have offended anyone. I don't knock any parent who does what they think is right for THEIR family, but at the same time, don't blame other people or situations for their childs problems.

Answer 4

I agree with you 100%. It's a fact that many schools are getting rid of the Phys.Ed. and even recess time for the kids.
I believe it's mainly the parents fault.Parents use computers and video games as their babysitters
We asked our kids in Gym class one day about how many of them go home and get on the computer or video games.About 95% raised their hands,the others said they were into some type of sports,ride their bike for a while or did some type of physical activity !
Diabetes is getting to be a common problem amoung kids now days,I wonder why ?
Schools are to blame too by not having gym class everyday and the cafeteria's selling junk foods
Our kids run the mile once a week and have what we call
" health in a minute " everyday,which is a quick health lesson
before we start our activity.
I wish more parents showed more concern about their childrens health like you do !
When I was growing up my parents could not get me to stay inside the house.I played outside till it got dark.

Answer 5

As for the schools, they have soda and junk food available for kids and there is no reason why it should be in schools. Let the kids have their lunch in school..the basic hot meals with sandwiches available if they'd like that. Get rid of the soda and junk ( of course schools will lose money from the vending companies who pay the schools to allow the machines in there)
As for parents, they are responsible for their kids weight..they too offer alot of fast foods for dinner. Kids do not get outside enough to play games, run around, ride bikes, jump rope etc, etc. Now they are glued to the tv set with video games and the computer. Turn off the stuff and let them get outside for excercise more often. I don't blames ANY of the fast food chains for overweight children OR adults. They are not forcing anyone to eat their stuff. Alot of the parents may be lazy themselves and the kids follow. So if it's an overweight problem here with kids, I blame the parents. To blame anyone else is playing the blame game and resolves nothing. Take repsonsibility for your children's health at least 5 days out of 7 isn't too much I don't think.

Answer 6

at the same time as I do believe mothers and fathers have a brilliant impression on the guy their baby will become, it really is getting a transforming into style of not straight forward for any figure really in tremendous city's and cities to administration who they loiter round with ,yet regrettably you're proper the figure's are a larger version of their baby and if a baby can do although they choose at domicile it really is comprehensible that they think they could be allowed to act as they choose everywhere else,instructor's are not any more experienced to improve baby's and are restricted of their action's also their are not any position variety's for little ones those day's the politicians are corrupt ,interest's celeb's are spoilt so that they offer the effect of being as a lot because the drug broking service in his fancy automobile because he's continuously effective they don't comprehend the shape of scum that they have develop into what a shame,although that's a undeniable truth that their are reliable figure's obtainable and reliable baby's we do exactly not see them in the information commonly used.

Answer 7

i think its mostly the parents fault that they have to keep their kids indoors when they should be playing outside...i remember playing outside for HOURS at a time but now a days its hard to find kids on the street.....theyre inside their rooms playing video games and watching tv.....also getting them mcdonalds everyday is not helping either...parents are getting busier and have no time to spend with their kids and certainly no time to cook a healthy meal....sigh

Answer 8

At some point in their lives, the young have to start taking responsibility for themselves. If the rest of their society has screwed up, the kids need to realize that and take steps to correct what they know is wrong for them.

Answer 9

its both because exsercise at schools have ben dramatically reduced and tv, computers, x-box's p2p. everything is moving towards sitting down, in the old days people used to walk everywhere now we too easily jump in the car so we are all guilty really and it shows as the people are getting heavier as time goes on look at te average BMI of people over the years and you will see the difference

Answer 10

its got to be the parents