Are parents the cause of obesity in childeren?
By Alex42692
@Alex42692 (167)
United States
July 18, 2008 12:21pm CST
I've read in a few places that parents actually, without knowing it, brainwash their children into thinking junk food is good (leading to obesity). I remember when I got hurt on the playground or anywhere really, my mom or dad would give me a piece of candy to make it all better. When I got a good grade on in a test I would get sweets. When I was a good boy I we would go to McDonald's. See what I'm saying here? Whenever something bad happened your I did something good, I was rewarded with sweets, teaching me that sweets were good. I think that children learn more from their parents actions then from what they say, because they did tell me that sweets were bad for you but I never listened.
Now I'm 16 and a health nut. I stay away from fast food and junk food most of the year. I think this theory is really true. If I have a fat friend most of the time one of or both their parents are fat too. What do you think?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@sugarplum9084 (1771)
• United States
18 Jul 08
You're absolutely correct! A reward will carry on through a child's life, and they will get more pleasure from these "treats" than they would have without getting them as a child. When they are sad they will look for comfort in these foods that their parents once nurtured them with. If that's not bad enough, teachers do the same thing for students to learn, bribe them with snacks for answers. My parents would not reward me like this when I was smaller, because they knew that I could live unhealthily in my adulthood with that kind of upbringing. I am very thankful that I am in this body.
@Alex42692 (167)
• United States
19 Jul 08
I forgot that teachers did that to students, how could I forget that? I'm happy with the body I have now, but it took a little over a year to get it. In the end a kid that doesn't receive junk food as a reward will thank their parents in the end. The self-confidence I get from the way I look now is better than any candy bar will ever be.
@keasling (723)
• United States
18 Jul 08
Parents are responsible for what their children eat. My kids understand that fast food is ok in moderation but not for every day eating. I even had them watch Spurlock's Supersize Me. That showed them what eating fast food all the time will do to you.
@Alex42692 (167)
• United States
19 Jul 08
That movie, Supersize Me, really influenced me. I didn't eat fast food on a day to day basis, but according to that movie was a heavy user because we did go to a fast food restaurant at least once or twice a week.
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
20 Jul 08
I totally agree with you. Kids today are given a reward for just about everytime they accomplish something. The teacher give candy for getting the answers right. I was never given any rewards for my accomplishments. My childhood was long before it became popular to rewards the kids for everything. I also didn't use them for my kids. or the grandkids that I helped raise. Something else that we do is tell the kid that veggies are good for them(may taste bad) and cakes and cookies are bad for them (taste good) so we give them a mixed message. If It's good for them it has to taste bad and if it's bad for them it tastes good. So many of the discussions here about kids and the answer to the problems like potty training is give them rewards like candy. All of this and trips to McDonald's because one doesn't want to cook make for kids and a nation of obese n nation.
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
20 Jul 08
i think so. as i've seen on tv on some show that the parents are the reason why their children are obese. my wife is a cook she feeds us balance diet. we eat for a week with chicken, fish, pork, beef, and a lot of veggies. she only gives potato chips if ever we will eat. my child only eats 1 time per month of hotdog. we give him a little of cakes and icecream but not always. he eats more of fruits. we dont feed him candies and chocolate and no cola. if the parents really knows how to cook and give time to prepare meals for their child/children then the children wont be independent with fast-food and junk food.
