Childhood Obesity

As far as I am concerned, this is great news and I hope that the numbers improve. But, it appears that a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows that the childhood obesity rate is beginning to level off.  Unfortunately, it's currently at 32% (which means that 32% of our children are overweight), but, the fact that it is leveling off is great news.  It shows that there wasn't the typical rise.  Maybe, just maybe, education on the importance of a healthy diet and exercise is working. No one really knows why this has happened.  It could be that kids have gotten as overwieght as they are going to get, or because of all of the intervention programs currently out there.  I hope that its the education because that will be more life changing. I just hope that this is an indication that they have peaked and we will start to see a decline.  That would definately be great news! News Story: http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1809829,00.ht ml

I read that too. I think as schools are becoming more aware they are not selling the junk food and trying to get nutrtious meals to serve for lunches. Also many parents are overweight and they too are trying to educate themselves and their children on how to eat.  I would like to see more community programs on what to feed children and some recipes that will appeal to children that can be served to everyone.  As the parent of a four year old I am watching what he eats very carefully but I am also aware that if I deprive him too much he will go out and eat candy like crazy as soon as he is out of my line of vision.  It is a fine balance and I have not seen anyone do anything very practical yet  - sure they write books but until we have more programs on television and people going out and lecturing on it etc there is a huge audience not reached. Just my opinion....... Jackie

Hi Jill,   Thank you for sharing this good news with us. I hope that the intervention programs are the reason for the decline. Growing up I was always heavy. In 1st grade my mom would pack 1/2 sandwich when everyone else had whole sandwiches. This was in the mid-1960's. We will have to keep watch!!!   Cindy

Good am Jill, I've got VERY strong feelings on this subject. I've had run in's at Kayla's school and its hasn't been pretty but I've made facts, my thoughts & opinions known. In my opinion I whole heartedly believe that it starts AT HOME. Good nutrition, hygiene, exercise etc. begins in the home. Granted we canno****ch our children and with things like peer pressure and temptation they certainly will make some of those bad food choices. However, if we teach them at home, give them healthier options/alternatives and tell them the reasons WHY they should make the better choices it has a great impact on them. The schools SAY they provide x, y & z healthy options/alternatives yet they put drink machines, snacky cakes, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut etc in them. Again, its about choices and we can instill great decision making tools in ourselves and our children. I've personally addressed her school with regard to ridiculous fundraising ideas such as Kripsy Kreme because they wanted to make a quick wad of cash. This is NOT acceptable (to me). It sends the message that "quick & easy" is a great option but the lasting affects/results are truly not worth it. I hope we continue to see a decline as well. I'm proud to say Kayla makes great choices a lot of the time. She does at times buy ice cream or a snack at lunch time but I get to limit it based on her lunch account. Thanks for sharing this.

I agree with you 100%...it starts at home.  But, unfortunately, not everyone follows through at home, leaving schools to pick up the slack in areas they should not have to.

It'slike sex-ed in the schools.  While i agree 100% that it is needed int he school, I disagree that many parents feel that since the school taught it they don't need to.  We have always been very open in my house when it came to sex-ed.  HA!  Sometimes TOO open (not vulgar, just too open). I agree that schools have to be smarter about what they serve.  But, the problem is this...it is cheaper to prepare a crappy meal than to prepare one that it nutritionist.  The Military has the same problem and I have complained about it for years.  The, factor in the fact that it is quicker to deep fry something than to oven fry and when having to mass prepare meals they have to consider how can they do it quickly. I'm not justifying the logic....it's just part of the facts. So...I agree with you 100%

Oh yeah I agree  with everything you've said here as well. It makes me so angry sometimes when I think about it. I have been to her school and seen what they serve a few different times over and she'll even tell me each day what she eats. Now, about 3 out of the 5 days she'll take a packed lunch only buying a "treat" 1-2 times if that. Gotta be thankful they don't (both buggas) eat lots of CRAP all the time. I do know we cannot save the world but I WILL keep making my voice heard on this subject. I know first hand that some parents could care less what is happening. In a meeting I had with the principal of ALL people she said "well not everyone has a problem with food like you" and I responded to her because of her role she's in she needed to reword that and think carefully about the way she'd like to be portrayed. Does she want to be a positive role model for her staff and student's along with the county or does she want to be ignorant to the fact the OBESITY KILLS? Trust me when I say she suddenly changed her tune and said that perhaps she needed to brush up on her knowledge and that she was sorry if she offended me. I told her that frankly she had but that I am a living example of obesity and the fight to get my life on track. Since then, we've been working with Kayla even harder. I think that small changes over time lead to bigger ones and even better ones. Fingers crossed!

You have GOT to be kidding me???  It is that attitude that has put us (this country) in this position - it's not me mentality.  What happened to helping out your neighbor?  That just irks me. But, it's a challenge and when they get older it becomes even more challenging.  My son is heading off to college in August.  Fortunately he will be living at home, and eating my meals.  But, there will still be periods where he will have to make his own decisions.  It's hard when it's cheaper to buy a burger and fries than a decent salad.  It's cheaper for him to eat mac and cheese or raman noodles than something that is healthy. I fear now that with food prices going up that families will be forced back into their unhealthy eating habits simply because of cost.  Last night the news aired a story that showed that food banks are already running low, and they they have seen an increase in middle income families needing their help.  This is a two-fold serious problem...(1) There isn't enough food available for those who need it (2) and the options availble to them may not be the healthiest, but they have no choice in the matter. Then, add to the fact that we are a society that bigger is better (well, unless it is in a person's size).  We have the mindset that if I go out to eat that I better get $30.00 of food for my $10.00.  I mean, look at Cheesecake Factory.  I love to eat there, but I end up with three meals out of the one that I purcahsed.  I usually eat 2 of them (dinner and lunch the next day) and then throw the rest away.  Why not reduce the price a bit and give me a manageable portion instead...... But....all we can do is to speak up!

I agree with both you and Kat - as the mother of a four year old he is at Montessori at present - where he only stays half a day and they give them a snack bu****er down the juice and a few healthy crackers -  nothing with sugar although I fear that is more for their sake than the kids. If they stay to afternoon playschool they have to bring their own lunch but it has to be to a certain standard and not full of sugar or carbs - so thet do try a little. However when they have little evening gatherings parents all bring a dish each and I am really appalled at what some parents think is alright for kids to eat...... Connor will walk around with me now asking if there is anything I can eat because even he recognizes that the food is not what I would eat -but of course it doesn't stop him wanting the doughnuts or the fried chicken or the cake - I let him have some but only in small pieces. The last time we were at one even the teacher said that there is an extraordinary amount of food there and much of it delicious but not healthy looking... she laughed as she said it but I could see she was trying to make a point as she is overweight herself... SO education does start at home and because of this my son realises he can only have a small piece and not every day etc - - He LOVES the ice cream man coming around because he feels grown up stopping him and paying him - with one of us present of course  - but the funny thing is he doesn't care if I tell him he can't eat it until tomorrow as he has had enough sugar - he quite happily puts it in the freezer and then promptly forgets about it - sometimes for a few days.... so I know he doesn't really want it. How I wish I could have his willpower - it would be calling my name all night if it was me!!  And when we were on vacation Jeannie bought him a Tollhouse ice cream sandwich as a treat. He could only eat half of it and when we looked at the calories - do you know it has OVER 500 calories in one of those sandwiches!!!!! I nearly died!! . I threw the rest away and told him he will never have another one of those because of the sugar and the calories. Isn't that rediculous!! So maybe I am being a little paranoid (you think??) lolol!   BUT I do not want him to have to grow up as an obese chlld - I did and do not want the same for him!  I am sure his next school will love me as I scrutinze what meals will be available to him!! And I will be very verbal about it too - I know the effects of this first hand...... and will do whaever i can to prevent Connor suffering from it as we all know it is now in his genes.... so he has that against him from the start... Jackie