Obesity in Kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2003
Obesity in Kids
7
Sat, 09-25-2004 - 9:56pm
Hi all,

I was reading this article about obesity in kids in the Sunday paper today. It's really scary stuff. The article said that the generation of kids being born now is the first ever to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents, mostly because of obesity. Wow! That's scary stuff.

My son is only 9 months old, but I already think about him and his odds of being overweight. Every single adult without exception on my side of the family is overweight. My husbands family is full of fast-metabolism bean poles (DH included), so I'm guessing that genetically, at least, his odds are 50/50 or greater that he'll struggle with weight. I'm trying really hard to make him see exercise as a daily thing (like packing him in the stroller for walks most every day), and I'm good about what I feed him (whole grain bread, fruits, veggies, baby food), but I wonder about the changes I need to make to increase his odds for being normal-weight.

Do any of the other moms on the board take steps to help make sure our kids don't have the same problems we do? Anybody have an overweight kiddo? Any thoughts about kiddie obesity?

Erin

http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics
Mom
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
In reply to: oonagh96
Sat, 09-25-2004 - 11:12pm
Well right now I think that childhood obesity goes hand in hand with the schools putting more empahsis on education and less on exercise. We were just talking about this on another weight loss board. My son's class gets between 5-15 mins of recess each day. Then they get only ONE day a week of formal exercise. Now my son is 4 years old....that isnt alot of exercise for a 6.5 hour school day. I heard on the news the other day that Orlando schools (pretty sure) were doing away with recess in 3rd-5th grades because test scores were too low and they needed more class time. But research also shows that (which was just talked about on CNN the other day too) exercise and education need to go together because innactive children dont learn very well. Isiah gets a 45 minute nap each day at school but only 5-15 mins of recess? Doesnt that sound unbalanced? He hasnt needed a nap since he was like two! So I make sure that when he comes home, he plays for a while before we turn on the TV.

As far as eating...Isiah cant stand veggies and fruits, which has always confused me becasue I started losing weight when he was around 2 and even before then, he was being served jarred carrots and other baby foods. So he has had veggies and fruit since he could eat. I have tried bargaining, I have tried explaining and I have taken away snacks. Since school started, I have really been cracking down on him. I sent in 10 grapes the other day in his lunch and he tried one and said he didnt like it. I keep telling him that if he doesnt eat, then he forgoes the any daily snacks. And Im proud to say that I have been sticking to it. But it seems that he would rather do without the snacks just so that he doesnt eat the fruits and veggies.

But regarding snacks...most of his snacks consist of the lower fat versions.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-02-2004
In reply to: oonagh96
Sat, 09-25-2004 - 11:59pm
I don't have any kids, but I've been reading the KidShape board under iV health and the discussions are quite interesting.




Lilypie First Birthday tickers
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2003
In reply to: oonagh96
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 11:17am
Oooh, I didn't know there was such a board. I'll have to check it out.

Erin

http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics
Mom
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2003
In reply to: oonagh96
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 11:21am
Shawna,

I am just so mad about how they've cut recess. I think it's totally bizarre and unnatural. They're actually seeing an increase in ADHD diagnoses in schools that cut recess. Most people don't think there's really an increase in ADHD, it's just that normal kids need a freakin' chance to run around, scream and burn off some energy during the school day.

I was reading in that article that illinois is the only state that requires PE class in every grade. That is so insane.

I'm glad you talked about Isiah not liking the fruits and veggies cause that's part of what I wonder about, how to deal with a kid who is inundated with ads for processed/high fat foods and actually get them to eat fruits & veggies. I have no earthly idea how a parent successfuly navigates that.

Thanks!

Erin

http://www.GlitterMaker.com/ - Glitter Graphics
Mom
Avatar for jess9802
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
In reply to: oonagh96
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 2:46pm
Not a mom yet, but here's my two cents. I think the biggest problem is that families eat out too often. Restaurant meals are not healthy (I'll have to post an article on why even seemingly healthy restaurant meals are high in calories and fat). The problem is compounded by the amount of junk food the average family keeps in the home, and the lack of outdoor play. There are kids in my apartment complex, and there's a little playground area, but I never see kids out there. I live in a quiet, residential neighborhood, and I almost never see kids under the age of 12 playing outside. Too many kids ride the bus or get rides to school, and then schools have cut back on recess and PE. I walked to school as a kid, roamed around our neighborhood, and went on lots of walks, bike rides, sledding trips, and so on as a kid. I lived at the swimming pool in the summer, too.

So my goals are not to eat out regularly, pack healthy lunches, and make sure my kids have outdoor playtime (whether recess, a trip to the park, having a big fenced backyard, whatever). I also want to encourage them to find a sport they love and to keep doing it. I will also have to eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly, and spend time doing recreational outdoor activities with my kids.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
In reply to: oonagh96
Sun, 09-26-2004 - 7:12pm
I worry about my boys. Obesity is definitely a genetic thing in my family. Right now my boys are not over weight, but they aren't underweight either. For us, I have tried to change some of eating habits I picked up while growing up. I have not been very sucessful at it though. I grew up really poor and I am able to buy better groceries than my Mom did. That has helped. I try to make sure there is a veggie or a fruit with every meal. Growing up I didn't even know there were veggies and fruits. At least not fresh ones. I also do not make my children clean their plates. My reason for this is I still want to do this today. It kills me to leave food on my plate even if I am full. I also do not allow couch potatoes. I send my boys outside to play a lot. I know I am not doing enough and I feel guilty. I am still trying to work on me and working on them is even harded. Hugs, Brenda

Hugs, Brenda 

Avatar for brens2boys
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
In reply to: oonagh96
Mon, 09-27-2004 - 9:39am
I too worry about my boys becoming overweight as they get older.My oldest used to fit into slims up until last year,so while he's definately not overweight,we're trying to keep him active so he doesn't become overweight.

I hear ya on the cleaning of plates.Hubby and I both grew up having to do that,more so him...so he still has that ingrained in him and I try to remind him that the kids should learn to eat when they are full and no more.