why do people always assume that if a child plays video games that he is fat????

Question

ok i posted a question that mentioned my 6 yr old son has a cell phone (firefly that he bought with his bday money and does chores to pay for his prepaid minutes) and a PSP i got all these answers saying thats why kids are fat , my son is far from fat 4'3" 47 lbs. bmi 12.5 actually very very thin so why do people assume that?

he takes TKD classes and is very devoted to it (orange belt at 6 yrs old) so yep he gets his cardio

Answer 1

Brutal - I've always wondered that myself. I always see limits being put on TV and video games like "30 minutes!" "only an hour", etc and wondered why.

That being said, if it ever got to the point where he was ALWAYS inside playing games or watching TV then it would be action time. But I see nothing wrong with a healthy balance between inside and outside, and I see no reason to put limits.

In fact, I''ve found that the more limits you put on it the more they wanted to play. Now, they may play an hour maybe 2 hours, maybe 30 minutes and their back outside playing.

It is summer afterall so what's wrong with letting them have some fun if their not fat and unhealthy?

They'll be micro managed enough when their adults.

weeder

weeder

Answer 2

It has become a big issue through the media. They say that child obesity is very high due to lack of kids getting out and playing like they should and how most schools don't have p.e. class anymore. Not to mention all the junk food kids eat now days.
I do have to agree that a lot of kids are staying indoors compared to when I was a kid, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they are fat. My son plays video games, ect everyday, and he's nowhere being fat. He'll be 6 in a few days and weighs 41 lbs.

Answer 3

These things lead to obesity sometimes. That is why I believe people think that kids who play video games are fat. It's just a stereotype. My husband has been a big 'gamer' all of his life. He is 6'7 weighing 180lbs. [Which is actually very thin for his height.] He still plays video games now that he's an adult.

However, while he really loves video games and electronics, his parents always made sure that he was very active. He played outside, played sports, and was just really active. Parents need to find the balance between the two. I believe that so many parents can't find that balance which leads to the stereotype. I don't think people were saying he was fat now but that he could end up with weight problems if he ONLY plays his PSP or other electronics.

Answer 4

It is what is called stereotyping. Playing video games and etc. involves very little cardiovascular endurance. That is why people assume that, people that do those sorts of things are fat. Here's a great example. People think that visually impaired people grope and feel for everything as they walk. That is stereotypical on movies especially. In the real world, that is not true most of the time.
I hope that helped.

Answer 5

i totally agree with you. My daughter is playing the new ratatouille video game right now and she is as thin as a rail. She is a video game freak and she enjoys playing it so she plays it quite often, as well. she is 9 yrs old, tall and weighs 55 pounds. She is also a competive gymnast. My daughter has a virgin mobile cell phone given to her by her grandpa, it also has prepaid minutes and she uses it wisely. she goes to her friends house down the street and it 's basically for me to call her and her to call me while she is away from the house

Answer 6

it seems very immature doesnt it, we post a serious question and all we get is some kind of abuse! dont worry about it i have a kid that plays on his consoles alot but he is very thin too, thats cus i feed him properly, but we dont go into our entire family history/culture when posting these questions so the narrow minded people out there just cant help but jump to rediculous conclusions!!

Answer 7

They assume that becauseinstead of being outside running and playing he is just sitting around. Usually people who sit around are more likely to be overweight than people who move around or play ordo a sport. I say F them all. LOL

Answer 8

people like to stereo-type. two of my children do have weight issues and we don't own any game systems and they are in dance, orchestra and many sports...the last thing they do is sit in front of a TV. And yet people assume they sit around all day....

Answer 9

my husband likes video games and plays when he can and he is 6 foot 1 and weighs 165

so i have no idea why ppl assume you are fat if you play

Answer 10

most kids are. just like people assume my family lives off welfare just because we have 12 kids (which we're not). it's in their instinct to judge, just ignore them. it's none of their buisness anyway.