Off Topix: Embrace the Unexpected in Every Discussion
Off Topix is a well established general discussion forum that originally opened to the public way back in 2009! We provide a laid back atmosphere and our members are down to earth. We have a ton of content and fresh stuff is constantly being added. We cover all sorts of topics, so there's bound to be something inside to pique your interest. We welcome anyone and everyone to register & become a member of our awesome community.
Childhood obesity
- Thread starter Nebulous
- Start date
A combination.
First, children are less active than they used to be, playing more video games. (Parents fault)
But at a certain age, it can be the child's fault. I find it funny that some people blame the government. If you know the harms of certain foods, instead of lobbying to ban them, why not just not let your children. Schools can be part to blame, as some schools don't even have Phys Ed anymore.
There is no right answer on a specific thing at blame. Just many combinations of things..
First, children are less active than they used to be, playing more video games. (Parents fault)
But at a certain age, it can be the child's fault. I find it funny that some people blame the government. If you know the harms of certain foods, instead of lobbying to ban them, why not just not let your children. Schools can be part to blame, as some schools don't even have Phys Ed anymore.
There is no right answer on a specific thing at blame. Just many combinations of things..
If the child isn't old enough to know for themselves what a healthy diet consists of, then it is on the parents. They have influence over what their children believe. If there is an advertisement on TV that is ludicrous, if they allow their child to buy school lunch constantly, then it is on them. They can explain that most of what is on the TV isn't real, and they can give them a healthy, homemade lunch (it takes like 3 minutes, so time isn't really a factor here), and they can teach their child what is healthy.
Guest
Guest
A good mixture of all those things you mentioned, Nebulous. Once you get into the habit of snacking and such, it's very hard to break out of it. Plus, if you start eating junk, healthy food is gonna be one big shock.
Skillet said:
Yes a mixture.
Parents mostly, I have a half sister, My mom used to feed her with ''Proper'' food, Duck, Chicken, chips, etc. At a young age she started to become chubby, It's not that she had to much ''Junk'' it's just mom decided to feed her high quality food at a young age, therefore her bones began to grow over fat, which made her look very, very, very, chubby. She's not 17 and recently underwent some kind of gym class, She's at perfect weight now.
The person to blame for my sisters health issue was mom. She controls what she eats, what she doesn't eat. So IMO parents are to blame, Governments don't choose what we eat, they choose the variety of food we can buy.
I have to say the parents. Sure, the kids eventually get to an age where they know what's good for them and what's not, but kids like junk food and they will eat it if it's there. One of my younger brothers, the second to youngest, is 10 years old and he KNOWS what he should eat and what he shouldn't, but he is constantly eating. Last night, he went in the kitchen to get some candy and I told him no and he went to my mom and she said no, too. The parents are responsible, I think, because they pretty much control what the kids eat as long as they're at home and if they let their kids eat whatever they want whenever they want, then the child will most likely gain some weight. I don't think the school is to blame - it's not that hard to make a lunch to bring to school.
Madyy said:
I have to disagree with you there. What about if your poor? Your parents on the doll? Then your entitled to free school lunch, i think. If youre being provided with pizza and chips and stuff like that everyday at school, what choice do the kids have then? Starve themselves?
I eat lunch at school all the time, and I don't think it causes obesity. I've always eaten lunch at school. My parents recently got a divorce and my mom's a teacher, so, based on her income and the fact that there are six of us kids, we get free lunches at school. My high school serves salad and fruit and all sorts of things. It's the kid's choice on whether or not he or she wants to eat it. I have many friends that don't eat in the cafeteria because they don't have the money and most of the time, we all share with the friend that doesn't have anything to eat - that's how it is in my small town - if one person doesn't have anything to eat, we'll give her some chips or an apple or whatever she wants. As far as elementary goes, I'm not sure about the rules there. I haven't been in elementary in 6 years and they've gotten a new principal since then.
I know, but still. I really don't think the school food is to blame and the parents are. It's the parent's responsibility to make sure that their kids get fed, and if they don't like how the school is feeding their kids, they can send a sack lunch. Even if there are money problems and the kids get free lunches, a simple sandwich isn't that hard to make and it doesn't really cost that much money.
Madyy said:I know, but still. I really don't think the school food is to blame and the parents are. It's the parent's responsibility to make sure that their kids get fed, and if they don't like how the school is feeding their kids, they can send a sack lunch. Even if there are money problems and the kids get free lunches, a simple sandwich isn't that hard to make and it doesn't really cost that much money.
You can't say it doesn't cost that much untill your in that financial crisis. Ok, For instance, if your on the doll thats around $80? $5 of that will go toward the ONE kids sandwiches? Too think that the kids need, Food for home, Clothes, Outgoing activity money, eletric warmth, It all builds up doesn't it? So your putting an extra brick onto the single mothers back when she is entitled to have her sone eat for free, And not all schools do sandwiches, Like i said.
Yeah, I do know. I have a single mother AND five younger brothers. Her paycheck usually goes out after the first week of her having it and we always struggle before her next one, but we deal. I have friends in worse situations than I am in and they don't even eat lunch at school. I don't usually hang around the debate forum, but yeah. I can see I'm losing this one...I can't get the words in my mind to come out right on here.
Madyy said:Yeah, I do know. I have a single mother AND five younger brothers. Her paycheck usually goes out after the first week of her having it and we always struggle before her next one, but we deal. I have friends in worse situations than I am in and they don't even eat lunch at school. I don't usually hang around the debate forum, but yeah. I can see I'm losing this one...I can't get the words in my mind to come out right on here.
I understand where your coming from. I do, I've been in your situation, If not worse. But its still the schools responsability to provide them, healthy, wholesom food. No matter what you say or do, It still isn't going to provide the exact proof that proves that the schools ARE providing the students with the right meals that they are greatly entitled to.
Madyy said:
Yes, I can. Ofsted are closing down schools due to the unhealthy provision of food, The lack of dinner services and also the health risk. I'll get the exact quotes from Ofsted(Education & Health People) if you like, I don't mind.
Here in Australia, childhood obesity is a major problem, and I remember in primary school they started all these new initiatives where you had a traffic light code canteen, red food you eat rarely, orange food sometimes, green food every day. Or something like that.
We get around 100 minutes of PE every week, and that's compulsory. But if you think about it, you do spend quite a bit of your time in school, but also a lot of time out of school. So it's the responsibility of not just the school, but also parents. And the child themselves.
Sometimes it's genetic, I can understand that, but you know, you think you're fat? Maybe get off your arse and stop playing so many computer games. Maybe go for a walk. Maybe stop eating once you're not hungry. Maybe have a treat when you've done something good, not just because you feel like it. Parents nor the school can control their kid 24/7, there are plenty of ways to get around any rule or law they set down. The parents' responsibility is to let their kids know how to keep healthy and what the consequences are of eating too much junk and not exercising. The school can help with that. But it's up to the child to decide to do that. Don't just teach abstinence, show them a condom too.
And as said, PE in Australia, or at least in Victoria, is compulsory all through school. It's not fun. I don't like PE, and if I had my way I'd rather not do it. But what other way can you make kids exercise? And even then they can wag PE. I do that all the time. It's my personal decision to not do PE. But if you're overweight, it can actually cause health problems, so if you're not suicidal then do it for yourself, not for your school report.
/endrant
We get around 100 minutes of PE every week, and that's compulsory. But if you think about it, you do spend quite a bit of your time in school, but also a lot of time out of school. So it's the responsibility of not just the school, but also parents. And the child themselves.
Sometimes it's genetic, I can understand that, but you know, you think you're fat? Maybe get off your arse and stop playing so many computer games. Maybe go for a walk. Maybe stop eating once you're not hungry. Maybe have a treat when you've done something good, not just because you feel like it. Parents nor the school can control their kid 24/7, there are plenty of ways to get around any rule or law they set down. The parents' responsibility is to let their kids know how to keep healthy and what the consequences are of eating too much junk and not exercising. The school can help with that. But it's up to the child to decide to do that. Don't just teach abstinence, show them a condom too.
And as said, PE in Australia, or at least in Victoria, is compulsory all through school. It's not fun. I don't like PE, and if I had my way I'd rather not do it. But what other way can you make kids exercise? And even then they can wag PE. I do that all the time. It's my personal decision to not do PE. But if you're overweight, it can actually cause health problems, so if you're not suicidal then do it for yourself, not for your school report.
/endrant
Here, you only have to take it until grade 9. After that it's all you. But PE is actually really fun in grade 10-12, because everyone in it, is serious about it. But even in grades below, PE wasn't real physical exertion. And you're right, it is the parents responsibility to ensure outside school that their child is getting adequate exercise, and is eating right. At an age, such as 14, it is more heavily weighted on the child itself.
