Obesity in Kids
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| Sat, 09-25-2004 - 9:56pm |
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


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.
Erin
Mom
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
Mom
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.
Hugs, Brenda
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.