Aren't parents to blame for their fat kids?

Question

My overweight is my fault, surely overweight kids are the fault of their parents?

Answer 1

It is a combination; parents, environment, pre-existing medical history and technology. Parents set the example, or if they just drive to Micky D's every night for dinner, a duh. Fat city.

Environment relates back to the family, but also where you happen to live. Example, say you live in the suburbs. You take a bus to school, sit all day long, eat crap from the cafeteria or vending machines, and maybe 'participate' in gym class.

Then you come home and park it in front of the tv, watching the Simpsons and stuffing your gullet with butterfingers, playing nintendo, or go online to 'chat' or play WOW.

Where as those who are in a more rural area of the country are usually helping with agricultural work; they do physical labor, and really don't have the opportunity to loaf around the house. So conversely they are more likely to be in shape. (If this makes sense)

Heredity is just that. Genes from both parents families. There may be a history of thyroid problems or the other regulatory glands.

Answer 2

What a load of CRAP! not all over weight kids are that way because there parents overfed them!

I have a 3 year old that is the same size as a 6 year old. I've had her on a strict diet since I stopped breast feeding.We don't eat after 7pm, No whole fat dairy, only whole grains in moderation. I work my but off everyday to figure out what she can and cant eat and portion size. She also gets a lot of exercise on a daily basis and doesn't watch TV.

So what else am I supposed to do? Starve her?

I'm so sick of getting blamed for her weight! When really its genetic. Both sides of her family are large. Yes some parents just don't give a crap and over feed there kids. But not all of us.,

Answer 3

I think that it is the Society's fault. Fast food chains are too easily available and as for tv dinners as well. Alot of parents are busy not only raising thier children but juggling 2-3 jobs at a time just so they have a roof over thier heads. Also the government puts hormones into fresh fruits and vegetables anymore and thus there is weight gain. My niece is only 3 and she is raised on fruits and veggies no whole dairies little meats and very few fats and is considered by her doctor overweight.

Answer 4

Its the parents and society's fault I say. Parents for relying on takeaways and processed meals and not allowing kids to go outside and play. Yes the world has changed and kids do need to be taken to the park or around the block. Twenty years ago kids played in their front yards with their neighbours today they are locked indoors in front of the PlayStation. Also most parents want to make healthy fresh meals but the price of quality meat ,fruit and veg is ridiculous,of course a family has to budget to pay for the mortgage etc. I don't think any parent wants to see their kids obese but I can understand how it can happen. I have 2 boys 5 and 3 both are healthy weight range but I do worry and I do feed them home cooked meals 6 days a week with one take away meal a week. My older boy eats well and has a big appetite sometimes its not only what you eat but the volume too. We just have to learn to keep our kids active and fill their bellies up with fruit as snacks instead of chips and lollies and make sure they eat a variety of foods and they should be OK.

Answer 5

If those parents are forever buying their kids crisps, chips, chocolate etc then yes, but some children do have thyroid or other problems that can make them susceptible to weight gain. I have four kids, they all eat healthily with correct portions and have plenty of exercise and three of them are slim and one is overweight. She walks the mile to school and back every weekday and uses and strider for half and hour to an hour every day as well. Some children are much more likely to put on weight than others - just like adults - it's in the genes.

Answer 6

Sadly in many cases I don't think they can stop it.

My wife never went to work after she had my daughter who remained our only child due to National Service circumstances.
If my daughter was made fat by neglect then it would have been both our faults.

Today it is not possible to provide a home to live in unless both husband and wife work and herein lies the problem.
Overtired families holding down two jobs and all the needs required of them in just a few hours of each waking day.
Result- quick meals, no one home at lunchtime and children left to their own devices. It is ruining society in every way possible and nothing is done about it.
Countries in Europe are quoted to be better and so they are and for one reason. Most rent their homes at competitive rates.
Laws will not cure it neither will education.
What this country needs are more rent-able properties than there are people to occupy them.

Answer 7

I believe its today's society and culture that people have come to accept as being ok - it's ok for both parents to be out working (because they need the money to survive!!) and hence neither parents have the time to be worrying about the wholesome meals their kids should be getting, they think "just let them have whatever, just to see us through to tomorrow...." The kids don't have good examples set for them, at home or in society (mainly schools) -

I suppose we should expect an improvement with the programmes that are running in schools now, but EVERYONE needs to change their behaviour towards food, especially the parents (the ones most responsible for what goes into their kids' mouths).

In short - yes.

Answer 8

I believe so yes parents shouldnt buy their kids stuff that keeps them inactive for long periods of time get them used to good food at an early age make them hate processed food give fizzy cola like drinks as a treat only and sweets no more than once a day if they are good
Get them outside to play
Many problems nowadays stem to the fact that many parents are too "knackered" or simply cant be bothered to do anything with their kids.

Answer 9

Yep. You're right, mostly. Some people are just fat because of their genetics, and parents should never try to make their children feel bad about the way they look, genetic or not.
However, if you're kid is fat, then you absolutely should take responsibility in educating yourself about nutrition and prepare better meals, start exercising with your kids, start getting outdoors, and start modeling healthier behavior. It's also your responsibility to make these changes positive, not punitive, so your kids are encouraged to take a healthier path throughout their entire lives.

Answer 10

Absolutely. My daughter started putting on weight at an alarming rate last year. I had to stop and think about what was going on in her life. We lived away from all her school friends so she wasn't playing out and running around, she would eat her tea then sit down watching dvd's and because she was bored she was filling up on crisps and biscuits. I had to stop buying snacks. We moved in March this year and she has lots of friends. She is out playing and skipping and rollerblading now. She doesn't miss the snacks anymore and she now wears age 8-9 clothes (she is eight). If I hadn't made the step to change things she would be massive now and feel guilty that I had let her get like that.