Why can't kids today stay a normal weight and enjoy things like bday cupcakes and fruit loops?

Question

Has anyone ever said 'go play outside??'

Answer 1

because parents don't interact with their children anymore. They use the TV as a teacher and a babysitter... and forget making meals... its a stop at mcdonalds! tonight, and tomorrow, and the next day... etc. etc.

Answer 2

There is no reason kids have to be overweight. It starts with the parents. You have to be responsible for what you provide your children to eat. Kids today have fallen victim to the speed of our grown-up life. In most households both parents work, or a single parent is always working and food becomes whatever is quick and easy. Everyone likes a good burger and cold soda and some fries but you can't let that be the typical meal. Sadly, the "Has anyone ever said go play outside?" question is not always as easy as it once was... some people don't live in the safest of neighborhoods, near parks, playgrounds. Every other story on the news is about a missing child or teen and a lot of parents today don't feel comfortable just letting their kids go out and about on their own... now perhaps the parent should go out and play too!

Answer 3

They can. It's just too often the fruit loops box is a companion while the kid is stuck in front of the baby-sitting TV and the cupcakes are given as pacifiers. If more were encouraged to go play outside or, better yet, played with by a loving parent or guardian (the big people could use some exercise too), everyone would be better for it.

Answer 4

I think it has to do a lot with the wa in which tv, video games, computers, etc are a part of our everyday lives. When I was growing up, we played outside all day riding bikes, walks, swimming, parks etc and today kids are not motivated to do tose things because they don't get to the next level of ps2 or whatever by doing this. The games have become their motivation. They sit there, play their games, drink soda, eat chips adn cookies and are happy in doing just that. Another reason for this is becuase years ago, the parents weren't so busy with ther own crap that they didn't have time to fix a hmecooked meal.....now it's off to Pizza Hut or te Burger Barn for dinner. Nutricious? Prolly not! Also, parents today would rather their kids not be under their feet so allowing them to vegetate in front of the tv or computer is fine - they're not bugging them that way. It's sad as there are so many children today that are considered obese than years back. It also icreases their risks for many illnesses and diseases.

Answer 5

I couldn't agree with you more. It's terrible isn't it? Even Nickelodeon (sp?) has to have a national (play outside day or no tv day, or whatever they call it, because the parents won't make the kids do it. So many kids today are just allowed to play video games and eat garbage. So many parents would rather take the time to drive to McDonalds (I'm talking about people that do this a lot, not the "moderation" folks, which is how it SHOULD be) and get them a grease burger and grease fries with a side of grease and a soda than take 5 to 10 minutes to make them a grilled cheese sandwich with some fruit and a glass of milk or juice. And loading them up with junk cereal instead of cheerios or something healthy (again, sometimes fine, but some people just live like this). What happened to going on family bike rides or to the pool and playing on the swingset. Makes me want to puke. I feel so bad for the kids. My husband and I do our best to encourage our daughter to be active. He takes her fishing and just outside to run around a little bit while he works on his boat. I take her for walks and play "soccer" with her (as much as a 2.5 year old does) and chasing rabbits and birds in the yard. I get so mad at lazy parents. There's my rant. Thanks for listening.

Answer 6

Because parents these days buy their kids Playstation 2, X-box, etc. and all the kids do is eat, play video games, eat, sleep. This country is ridiculously blaming the food companies instead of placing the blame where it belongs! I'm sorry but if you feed your kid 5 times a day, and your version of snack time is a pizza or burger, and you don't force your kid to exercise, THEN GUESS WHAT?!?!? It's your fault!!!! Parents need to be more strict with their child's diet and enforce some type of playtime outdoors or exercise program for them. Otherwise this country will have NOTHING fun left because everyone else gets blamed BUT the parents! WAKE UP AMERICA! I ate chocolate candy, fruit loops, lucky charms, popcorn, potato chips, twinkies, and ALL that junk food! BUT...my mom gave it to my brother's and I in moderation! Not to mention we didn't HAVE any video game consoles until later on when Sega came out so we were always playing outside! I'm telling you, people these days just don't wanna take responsibility for their actions!

Answer 7

There's nothing wrong with celebrating a birthday by eating a cupcake. But keep in mind that sugary foods like cake and fruit loops have very little food value and they don't fill you up. Kellogg's has decided to give their products more nutritional value. Fruit Loops is one of the products mentioned. Exercise without a healthy diet doesn't work. Both are necessary for sustained normal weight.

Answer 8

I think there are two issues. The first is, kids today don't get enough exercise. When I was a kid, we were outside playing ALL THE TIME. Mom had to threaten us to get us to come in (not that we didn't listen to her! LOL) I agree with the first poster that said TV & video games have made children today very sedentary.

Second, when I was a kid there was no junk food and soda in the house. If you wanted something to drink, you drank milk or water. Even Kool-Aid was a treat. We had soda at Christmas only & I think Mom only allowed one glass. Things like cookies, ice cream, cupcakes, etc they were treats. Most of the time they were homemade and Mom would make just enough for the treat & that's it.

The combo of junk food/soda and not enough exercise (and parents who feel guilty and allow this stuff) is making for a very deadly combo.

Answer 9

Honestly, I think it is a combination of many things. Kids don't just go play outside anymore, they're inside watching tv, playing video games, etc. Parents don't make their kids entertain themselves with no help, which also means they aren't as creative and get bored more easily. Parents also tend to use food as rewards and the increase in fast food/eating out doesn't help. Many families are made up of two working parents and it is more convenient to do a pizza or make something less healthy than back in our parents day when mom was at home cooking a balanced meal. I think it is a societal issue...

Answer 10

You answered your own question. My children were outside when it was nice, even if I had to "make them" go play outside. Today a lot of parents don't care as long as the child isn't bothering them, then they can sit in front of the tv, computer, video games and rot.

Answer 11

You don't see too many kids outside at home, do you?
Moms and dads are working, kids go to day care, where it
is air conditioned. They don't take kids outside when it is
too hot, or in cooler months, when it is too cold. Crowd
control is easier when there are quiet activities. And even a lot of sports teams have a whole lot of sitting around
waiting for your turn. Weekends are full of chores and errands, so no time for play. Play is the work of children, and
too many aren't getting to do their jobs.