Childhood Obesity Epidemic

I just heard this on the Today show about the childhood obesity epidemic....while I am totally in favor of helping children get through obesity issues and to start kids early, this is crazy to me. I agree with the parents that these issues should be mailed to parents and allow the parents to talk to their children. While I think some parents never address it either, they should be more sensitive over children's feelings. What are your thoughts? http://www.9news.com/news/article.aspx?storyid=78903

Once again our schools are trying to raise our children for us. On one hand we have parents that aren't doing it (teaching their kids one way or the other)then on the other we have parents that aren't and this kind of interference is not right. I have been torn on several issues over the years reguarding this kinda thing. I think kids are like emty vases that need to be filled and it is up to parents to fill them. So many kids are filled with whatever comes at them during their childhood and then we wonder what the heck is wrong with them? If we stand our ground and tell the schools to "butt out" what happens to the kids who's parents never mention sex, drugs, morals, integrity, god or their higher power and even obesity? It's a tough question to answer. Truly a sign of the times though. I like to think everyone has the childs best interest at hand but what about those parents that are attentive and share with their kids? I like the "opt out" forms they send home and incourage that. Personally I think they should have mailed these results home and not given this little girl the chance to read it. Sometimes a little comon sense sure goes a long way. Mornin Annie, you sweet thang you! Our Squid is in Kuwait (sp?) ! This means he is out of harms way! Mom is gonna see him on the 25th. We are just about excited! Well I am off to see my uncle today. He was diagnosed with spinal cancer last week. He's my favorite uncle and this really has everyone cryin. If anyone would like to pray for him his name is Duane and I would really appreciate it. He's always been a deeply religuose man and has been the moral mold in my life so to speak. So please send them prayers up! Love ya dalrin. Say hello to Nate for us! Sparky

you bring up some interesting issues BUT as far as a student health report? gimme a break. if your child is so delicate that she can't handle hearing a health assessment that says she's overweight, it's not because the school has butted in where they shouldn't. AND it was a sealed envelope. There is clearly a discipline problem here. Besides the schools ARE us. WE run the schools. Get involved. Or send your kid to a private school or home school. The way i see it we no longer have extended families and villages but we have a school system where the parents can be involved. At least INFORMED at the least. I'm not saying there aren't abuses and outrageous things that come up, no system is perfect BUT we do have some power and we do have some choices. But this thing about a health report? Gimme a break. I didn't need a health report to know i was fat. Holy crap. Are we really gonna insulate our kids to the point where we want them to be ignorant of bad health???? I'm sorry to hear about your uncle, Sparkster. I hope things get better. We'll be thinking about him, and you and your family.

Mornin' I think it is good that the school is involved TO A DEGREE. Sometimes us parents have such an unconditional love for our kids that we 'overlook' issues or signs that need to be addressed. I also come across the problem of...When is the 'right time' to talk to my kids. How do I say things without hurting their feelings, etc... So this lady is saying the school should have mailed the paperwork,the school is saying they don't have the budget to mail every document.....Well, I personally have parent / teacher conferences every quarter (4 times a year) with my kids teachers.....so why not hold this document until the parent / teacher conference and hand-deliver it, which will also give the parent the opportunity to ask questions. Not every parent knows what a BMI is. (We all know cause of our surgery). And not every parent knows how to provide a proper diet or exercise regimen for a child. I also believe the Weight Charts need a little adjusting. I am currently at 144, a good weight for me.... I wear a size 7 or 9. Many people call me thin. However, according to the charts, if I put on only 10 pounds, I will be in the "Overweight" catergory. The charts pretty much say that if you are not super-model skinny, than you are overweight. Very misleading. Also, there are a few other things to take into consideration....is there muscle weight?.....big boobs? One of my daughters weights 175, but I swear her boobs alone must weight 20 pounds.....lol Good topic of discussion. Hugs, Jen

good topic.. I don't have kids, so will limit my opinion.. just want to say that kids are cruel.. I knew long before any report that I was a fat kid I know as a kid.. I was on many "diets".. and I played alot *i think* outside played.. and still a fatter kid. I think unless we go into a depression were food is scarce.. eliminate fast food restaurants.. and have farms again were kids have to work.. and walk miles and miles to school everyday... that kids are just gonna be prone to get fat.. like many of the adults today are.. it's just the change of times IMO as more and more Fast Foods are being built.. and more *modern moms/dads* stop to pick up supper. It's what we were taught/grown up with.. I bet alot of young parents now don't know how to cook an appropriate meal.. thus their kids won't know either.. and so on.. and so on.