Childhood obesity - Fault of the parents?
By taylorpelto
@taylorpelto (33)
United States
February 16, 2007 1:06am CST
Lets face it, Obesity is a huge problem in America. Huge. I can't remember the exact number, but aren't something like 60% of kids are overweight here? How sad.
I believe problems like childhood obesity can be largely blamed on parents, who are passing on terrible eating habits to innocent children.
2 people like this
4 responses
@rein2410 (809)
• Australia
16 Feb 07
I know it has been a big problem. But I dont know if it has reached untill 60%. Well, I agree that child obesity is parent's fault, but they should be informed of what can cause obesity, mainly, because they do not want to spend so much time preparing food, they give their child junk food as it is very easy and indeed eating too much junkfood everyday would cause obesity and that happens not only with childrent but also with adult.
2 people like this
@taylorpelto (33)
• United States
16 Feb 07
Isn't that pathetic? Adults that 'don't have the time' to make sure their children aren't eating processed s***? To make sure that their children aren't swelling up into heart-attack-prone balloons?!
@weemam (13372)
•
17 Feb 07
I agree with you there , I am a pensioner now and when I was small there was rationing on food and sweets , So when I was good I was rewarded with something special , I grew up and married and I gave my boys something special when hey were good , I now try not to make it food or sweets with my grandchildren , Yes I think it has a lot to do with parents , xx
@taylorpelto (33)
• United States
17 Feb 07
Yeah, cookies aren't exactly the don't-touch-that-jar-or-you're-grounded snacks they used to be.
@sunnypub (2128)
• United States
16 Feb 07
I agree that it is a problem. I also agree that for the most part it does come down to the parents not helping their children the way they should. I think it has to do with eating habits as well as exercise.
When kids are young the parents really need to instill good eating habits and make sure the children do some form of physical activity every day. I know there are many parents who allow their kids to just sit and wathc tv or play video games all day, because that is easier than dealing with the children.
It is sad but I think it is true.
@rosie_123 (6113)
•
18 Feb 07
Well to some extent, obesity is genetic, but I do agree that parents could do more. In the UK where I live, the problem is not as bad as it is in the States, but certainly kids even here, are bigger than they were 30 or 40 years ago. They don't play as much outside anymore for a start, - they stay indoors with their playstations, and computers, and they don't take enough exercise in general. Add to that, the ghastly junk food, because the parents are too lazy to cook a proper, healtgy meal half the time, and there you have an answer!
