What is up with fat/obese children? I see them everywhere!?

Question

Shame on you parents. You can have all the donuts & french fries you want, but for the kid's sake; make them eat right so they can have a decent chance at life!
Not long ago, my husband and I were at a grocery store at 6pm (dinner time). We witnessed a big fat momma, and her two very big very young kids waiting in line at Dunkin Donuts in the store. HELLO!!!!! What is wrong with you people?!?

Answer 1

Yeah, when my kids were little, we NEVER had any candy,chips,cookies,cokes JUNK in the house..ever!
We did have air popped popcorn with brewers yeast, veggie platters, home-made pizzia, and always alot of fruits! If a parent doesn't buy the junk food, a kid can't eat it...simple!
What really burns me is when I see someone pushing a huge shopping cart filled with doritios, twinkiews, and crap..and then pay with food stamps!! Thank you, but thats MY tax dollars they are spending. I really wish food stamps were more like the WIC program, and all you could buy is healthful foods!

Answer 2

I lived for awhile in East Asia, and, let me tell you, I was amazed at how rare obesity was in China, Japan, and Korea. The Japanese have actually launched a nationwide campaign against childhood obesity complete with compulsory school exercise programs because their child obesity rate had climbed to 5.3%!

If the US could boast a 5.3% child obesity rate, I think we'd be right spanking happy.

There were actually several places in Korea that were completely *inaccessable* to obese people. The stairways would be too narrow for half the people I now walk beside everyday in the US.

One of the most remarkable experiences of my life was when I landed in Chicago O'Hare and got off the plane from Seoul. Suddenly, I was *surrounded* by morbidly obese Americans. Everywhere I looked they were there.

We live in an indulgent, "fat" culture. The most comedic thing that I've seen in the last month is that new TV show "Shaq's Big Challenge" or whatever it's called. To be honest, I appreciate what the show is trying to do, but I just have to laugh and/or cringe when I see the parents of some of the obese kids. Here those parents are, encouraging their children to shape up under Shaq's diet and exercise program, and they're morbidly obese themselves.

If the parents can't do it, I'm willing to bet that 90% of the kids won't be able to do it either.

Answer 3

Children are products (and sometimes victims) of their environments. If the parents have bad eating habits, then the children will adopt those because that's all they've known. The fat parents see nothing wrong with this behavior and pass that attitude on to their kids...making it a perpetual problem in our society. And that's also where the genetic excuse comes from..."Well, I come from a line of fat people, I'm doomed! *eats donut*" Haha....I come from a family of heavy-set/obese people, and I am still trying to get down to my goal weight, but I don't use that lame excuse.

Another problem with heavy kids, is the new video game craze. (Ok, maybe it's not new, but it wasn't as big of a deal when I was little.) All kids want to do is stay indoors and play their WarCraft or whatever is the latest game these days....GET OUTSIDE! Ride bikes, go swimming, go play in the park! Parents need to encourage their kids to be more active! I know that today it's not that safe to send your kids outside, but come on people....it's just as good for YOU to go outside and play too! I can't wait to have kids so we can go have fun outside and exercise together! I am NOT gonna let my children suffer from being overweight!

*Edit*

Another problem with people and obesity is emotional eating....the children are probably eating to make up for something they feel is missing from their lives, like attention from the parentals, or a lack of self confidence and esteem. Or boredom! In a nutshell, parents need to watch over their children more and pay more attention. You had kids, now take the responsibility and raise them healthfully!

Answer 4

This woman doesn't think she is doing something wrong. In fact she will be enjoying donuts with her children just as much. If a parent has no sense of what is right and what is wrong how can they teach their kids? I didn't allow my son to have any candies and chocolate until he reached 3 and some parents were laughing at me...

Answer 5

well, it didn't occur to me until I volunteered at a food bank, that the foods that are most readily available to those who are low income are not the healthiest foods in the world. A good many single parent families cannot afford the fresh fruits and vegies that would improve health, they are forced to buy the inexpensive and less nutritious canned stuff or settle for the bagels and donuts that get donated to food banks, so their kids aren't complaining of hunger. McDonald's is cheap, tho some of their healthier menu items are the most expensive things in their line.....this is true all over, it's like people are being constantly encouraged to eat poorly.

Answer 6

I agree it's the parents fault. Instead of giving in to the child whenever they say "I want ice cream" They need to be strong and do there job and PARENT THE CHILD! If dinner is in 20 minutes and your kid wants and sandwich they need to be told No they have to wait until dinner. If your kid cries and throws a fit, LET THEM. Yes it may be annoying for a minute or two, but they do have to stop for air eventually..... :)

Answer 7

I understand your concern. There are so many factors that have contributed to the problem: technology, poverty, needs for conveinence, busy families, taking P.E. out of schools, unhealthy food choices...the list goes on and on.

Obesity is a huge problem in the U.S. and we must do something about it. It's good that there is more awareness out there and more television shows that relate to adult and childhood obesity. Hopefully the couch potatoes out there will get motivated to re-program their lives and add more healthy habits to their lives.

Answer 8

It could also have something to do with video/computer games and TV. I rarely see children outside running around playing anymore like we did when we were kids.

Answer 9

mostly lack self control when it comes to food but its not entirely their fault, or that of their parents, the advertisers of unhealthy foods (eg: macdonalds) in 2005 forked otu almost $ 1 billion, as compared to a measly $2 million by promoters of health foundations etc.

Answer 10

Hey, it's easier to shut the kids up by giving them sweets, than to live with them whinging about being made to do exercise and eat spinach!