Unfortunately, fast food has become the meal of choice for many families.
There is so much that is not understood about proper eating, such as: good and
bad carbohydrates http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/sugar.html
I discussed childhood obesity with a pediatric nurse. I was amazed when she informed me that
childhood obesity was not only about children overeating, even though that was the major factor. Some children might be more susceptible to holding on to excess calories
and carbohydrates opposed to processing them based upon their genetic make-up. The fact that children might become
genetically over-weight never crossed my mind, furthermore, the nurse
told me that when children consume unhealthy foods and drinks it does not
help. In addition, she shared with me
that not all carbohydrates are bad; however, good or bad carbohydrates should
be consumed in moderation.
When did offering children nutritious food become a question?
Finally, the nurse expressed to me that many of the children with obesity, she has cared for suffered with arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and other health issues commonly found in adults. There is no doubt about it that excessive weight
in young children severely affects their physical, cognitive, and
emotional-social development http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/documents/chaput-tremblayANGxp.pdf
This is not an issue, this is a CRISIS!
Childhood obesity is a silent killer, it is killing children in ways unseen.
I am from an era where children were told, "eat all the food on your plate", well that was not a bad thing because the food back then did not have as many artificial ingredients as do the foods today. In addition, the children watched less TV, and played not as many video games, and the visit to fast food restaurants were a rare treat if any for the entire month, not a weekly or daily visit. We were an active generation that played outside. We rode our bikes, jumped rope, cops & robbers, cowboys & Indians, played hopscotch, toppies, basketball, football, and soccer.
After the discussion with the nurse, I realized that children today are living a more sheltered life than my era. Today, many children are not going out to play as much, perhaps it is due to neighborhood crimes, electronics in the home, lack of parental supervision, or they just do not want to go out. Whatever the reason, many children have become obsessed from the quick foods that are higher in calories and artificial by-products than healthy foods, and the lack of exercise. As educators, we must become informed to get the children up off the couch and out of the house to play like their life depends on it..because it does!
After the discussion with the nurse, I realized that children today are living a more sheltered life than my era. Today, many children are not going out to play as much, perhaps it is due to neighborhood crimes, electronics in the home, lack of parental supervision, or they just do not want to go out. Whatever the reason, many children have become obsessed from the quick foods that are higher in calories and artificial by-products than healthy foods, and the lack of exercise. As educators, we must become informed to get the children up off the couch and out of the house to play like their life depends on it..because it does!
Questions to consider:
What are some
ways to help children not become obese?
What are some ways to help obese children become healthy?
What are some ways to help obese children become healthy?
How might parents select healthier foods on a limited spending budget?
What age should one be mindful of childhood obesity?
This is a great blog site Synera. I appreciate your post on childhood obesity. I agree that it is a growing problem among our community. And it doesn't among races or cultures. I can truly relate to your statement about being asked to or better yet made to eat all the food on your place. We were made to feel bad about the children in other parts of the world who were less fortunate than us. Now we as a society are asked to limit the amount of food and the kinds of foods we expose our children to. When we were young we did not have all of this new technology and we were more concerned about getting outside as oppose to children now who have to be forced to go outside and play. I agree we have the responisbility to get our children more physically active otherwise we are contribting to their demise. Thanks for allowing me to share on your blog page.
ReplyDeleteAngela Starks
Hello Angela:
DeleteYou are so right as you said, "Now we as a society are asked to limit the amount of food and the kinds of foods we expose our children to." go figure.. We as a society have "super-sized" one to many meals. Now our children are the victims and we are scrambling to find cures and solutions to childhood obesity.
I love your blog. I enjoyed reading the comments from the nurse. It helps to see other perspectives to the obesity issue. I think we called children who had a certain makeup "big boned". Maybe these are the children that are obese because of genetics.
ReplyDeleteTo address some of your questions, parents need to be involved in getting their children out of the house and playing more. Parents can require less couch time by getting outside with their children and throwing balls, flying frisbees, playing games etc. I believe the schools have a responsibility in supporting physical fitness by providing recess and PE. These are the things I remember as a child. PE and recess were required. We need to view these activities in school as important as academics and fund them.
Hello K. Cephas,
DeleteThank you. I have noticed that some of the children that are over-weight, there parents are over-weight as well. Eating healthy must be a part of the entire family. Here in Philadelphia, much of the PE and recess has been eliminated, it is up to the parents as you stated to get their children off the couch and out the house. I too remember PE, those blue gym suits.. and the rope I received rope burns when I slide down them too fast. Playing outside was a joy, but now the joy of playing outside has been replaced with Wii, X box, ipad, and cable. As educators, it is our job as well as the medical community to inform parents and children of the advantages of playing outdoors .. First Lady Michelle can not do it by herself.