Does anyone else share my opinion?

Question

My 8yr old son came home from school the other day and said that the 1st and 2nd grade students at his school were having a "biggest loser" competition. He asked if he could join and I said no. My reasoning behind this is while I believe kids need to learn about proper nutrition, I don't feel that kids between the ages of 6 & 8 should be competing to loose weight. I am a nursing student with a focus on psychiatric. I am also a recovering bulemic. Recent published reports are showing the starting ages of eating disorders are down to ages 9 or 10. Am I wrong to not let my son participate in this and should I complain to the school that the school nurse shouldn't be allowed to implement this. You're not supposed to start a diet/exercise regimen until you consult w/ your Dr. and I feel that by doing this, the school is opening young children up to the possibility to develop serious eating disorders that could have major (neg) health risks. What would you do?

My son is in no way even near overweight. I'm not so much worried about him as I am the" little girl in the corner" who is surrounded by pics of nicole richie and other celebs who are so thin their lives are in danger. As for the school serving nutritious food. . . have ya been to a public school lately? Proper nutrion begins at home. The whole point of the biggest looser on t.v. is who can loose the biggest % of weight. For obese people, I think its great that they have the determination to change/save their lives. For an 8yr old, yes I agree, teach them about nutrition, but don't have a weight loss competition!

Answer 1

I completely agree with you on the matter. Is that really the message our schools really want to start sending to our children at that age or any age that competing to lose weight is a good thing? It is bad enough the message that they get from advertisements that skinny is better. You are right about the door being opened to eating disorders at a young age. My husband is overweight and my 11 yr old step-daughter is already concerned with weight gain. She is already skinny, but already watches how many pieces of pizza or how much fat is in food before eating it. I just find it ridiculous that our youth is plagued with this.

Answer 2

I think your son's school is on track with the competition...for kids who are obese. Just as eating disorders now start much younger, the incidence of pediatric diabetes(and type 2 at that!) and high blood pressure in children has skyrocketed in the past 10 years. Of course your son's school cannot single out the overweight kids for the competition, but I would imagine that they are hoping to teach all the kids about nutrition and exercise by using something more dynamic than books and lectures. Statistically, in 2006, a child is more likely to develop hypertension, diabetes and heart disease than an eating disorder. So I don't think there is anything wrong with the competition but, on the flip side, you should never do anything that makes you uncomfortable as a parent. That being said, I don't see the harm in other kids participating...they might actually learn something.

Answer 3

Unless your child is overweight or obese, I wouldn't let him join in either. I can understand educating children on proper nutrition, but game challenges like this only reinforce the very things we're trying to keep children away from, eating disorders. I would schedule an appointment and meet with the school principal to discuss your concern. They will just keep on until someone complains, so voice your concerns. I'm sure other parents will agree with you. There are other methods of educating the children on nutrition and fitness.

However, I do think it's good that the school is at least trying to educate children on the benefits of a good nutrition and fitness. Obesity levels in the U.S. are outrageous. I would, however, want to keep an eye on things just to make sure they're not promoting eating disorders (which I hope a school administration wouldn't think about). Best of luck!

Answer 4

I do share your opinion. A school has no business having a competition like this. It doesn't matter what age group it is. If there is concern about a child's weight, the school can address individual families about it but to do something like that is not proper. With all that is going on in our society, the celebrities that are losing all this weight.....it is not a good idea. And then, not to mention, how is that going to make some of the kids feel? You should definitely put in a complaint to the Board of education in your area and have this put to a stop. Schools jobs are to provide a good nutritious meal to our children while they are there, and teach them about proper eating and nutrition, not encourage them to go on a diet.

Answer 5

I completely argee! No child should ever be put on a diet or exercise program without a doctor's supervision! That's nuts! It's unsafe and completely unhealthy even for average weight children. Think of what they are being taught! That school should be shut down, or at least those teachers and whoever approved it fired! I would be outraged and completely disgusted! What kind of school official would approve that! Healthy eating habits and exercising is one thing to teach, but a weight loss competition?? THAT'S INSANE!!! Tell your son no and explain to him the reasons, he is smart (I am sure) so treat him as so. He will probably come away with a better understanding of everything and get to that horrible school immediatly! Good Luck!

Answer 6

holy crap.

I'd let him join. The whole purpose of the 'biggest loser' concept and weight loss deal is to learn basic healthy lifestyle habits, theyre a big support team for eachother.

People go into that show, or program, intending to change their life style, and lose weight, they stay in it and get through the hard parts of it with the goal of winning a prize. Whether a group of people impliments a prize, or goal, or whether we do it on our own individually doesnt change anything. In order to lose weight you have to set that goal, and strive for the prize. how much easier it is when others are working towards the same goal. YOu have a support team, instead of being alone.

I think your son is missing out on an excellent chance to bond with his peers, have a friendly and HEALTHY competition, and gain some wonderful health benefits as well.

I wish more schools would take diet and nutrition and exercise as seriously as your school is TRYING to, maybe then obese and overweight children wouldnt be made to suffer because they dont have access to the materials and encouragement they need to learn how to life healthy lives.

Being that its an elementary school iam sure they have thought of ways to keep it as friendly a competition as possible, and to keep the goals and playing field as level as they can, so that there are no real 'losers'. If they have this much concern about the children having healthy lives, theyre not going to risk undoing all that work by ending up with phsycological issues later from losing that lead to eating disorders.

How hopeless you child might feel if everyone else gets to participate and better themselves, and he has to remain as he is and only watch. How would he ever feel confident to change his life or body if he's not even stable or sane enough to do so with his peers?

In my mind that would be my biggest fear. If it were my child, i'd be able to monitor him from home, and encourage him no matter what the outcome is, and build up his confidence regardless of what happens in school.

I was skinny in school, and anorexic. I never fit in and never had friends, and the thought that some how you might make his life better by increasing his degree of separation from the activities of others scares me more than a failure if he did participate.

Eating disorders develop for many reasons, there is no one cause. Its a lack of self confidence and a fear of losing control that sets them in. Anything in his life can trigger it, but controling his life fearful that that might happen takes away the bigger likelihood that something great might happen.

Answer 7

I find this completely freaky and disgusting! Are you kidding me? No children need to be worried about losing weight- if anyone needs to worry, leave it up to the pediatricians and parents! Mom can say, "Okay, time for our jog around the block", and "Yum, let's eat more celery sticks!" But for the school to implement a plan for such very young children to lose weight does seem irresponsible and possibly cruel. Some children are chubby before a growth spurt- making an effort to lose weight could really damage a child physically, too! Definitely complain!!!

Answer 8

I agree with you. I wouldn't let my son compete in that either. I would explain to him that he didn't need to lose wieght but that it is okay to eat healthy and be active. I also think that you should go to the school with your concern. I don't believe that the school nurse should be able to initiate a competition where grade school or any other age students should be encouraged to diet. The school system should be encourageing health not wieght loss.

Answer 9

I see your point. I agree if your son doesnt need to loose definately dont let him. On the other hand, my sister is 13 and 310 pounds. THere are some kids that may need this but then there are those that don't. You may talk to the nurse to see if there is some sort of a permission form that they can hand out just to make the parents aware. Someone like my sister would definately need to join.

Answer 10

I agree with you, 1st, 2nd, 3rd graders; they're all too young to be in a weight losing competition. They should be worrying about who's playing kickball at recess - not dropping a few pounds.
I think you should call the school and tell them how you feel about the situation and why you think they shouldn't be having "The Biggest Loser, Elementry School Edition"
It even sounds rediculous