Show All Channels Show All Channels

There are 18 articles on this title. You are reading the article ranked and rated 1 by Helium's writers.

Health & Fitness   >

Health Risks

Obesity in children: Addressing the problem

Some of you may not like what I have to say in this blog, but hey, hold no prisoners.

Last night I was out to tea with my folks. We go to this really tacky pub where the meal is cheap and you get an extensive vege and salad bar thrown in as well. We go there 'cause we can get out meals and be out within the hour. It fills us up so Dad can fall asleep on the way home whilst mum drives him home. It's the kind of place where families go because it's not very formal, and they have video games the kids can play when they're bored.

Let me just point out that this pub doesn't exactly have the healthiest meals. Don't get me wrong, they have healthy options, but no one is really going to chose the healthy way out when there is potato bake and pasta salad on hand by the trailer load.

On the next table over from us was a mother and her three daughters. It was hard to tell, but I would say the kids ranged in age from about 6 years up until 15 years. All of the girls, including the mother, had one thing in common. They were fat.

Now I'm not saying fat as in, 'oh, look at her fat arse, who does she think she is wearing that?' fat. I mean. Fat. Dangerous to your health fat. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with having a little junk in your trunk. No matter how many times I try and diet, I will always be a well-rounded girl. And I think it's healthy, and girls with curves look fantastic. But. There is a line. And it should not be crossed.

I looked at this mother, sitting at a table with her daughters drinking soda and piling plates high with potato bake, cheese cauliflower, pasta salads and bread. Here's the thing. If you, as a mother, were overweight, and not just a little, to the point that you couldn't walk without getting puffed; you had a waddle; and you found it difficult to get in and out of your car, you can't tell me that you would be happy with your body. Surely you would be questioning your health. Surely your doctor would tell you of problems that could be caused as you got older: heart disease, diabetes, joint problems. Wouldn't you look at your children and think to yourself 'well, it's mighty tough to lose all this weight once it's on you, maybe I'll feed my kids healthy food to prevent the weight gain the first place'?

Kids today sit at home in front of the TV or computer drinking coke and eating packets of crisps. Because it is easy, instead of cooking them a healthy meal, their parents take some potato gems out of the freezer and fry them up with some fish fingers. Kids these days eat mostly 'yellow' foods. We're breeding a generation of children that are going to have so many health problems in later years; it is going to have a massive effect on our economy. The public health system will be overloaded with people whose conditions could have been prevented with good food and exercise.

I would feel awful if I was a cause in my children's health problems. Surely this mother I saw last night knows that her children have problems. I mean, her six year old daughter has boobs bigger than me, for goodness sakes. That is not normal.

Yes, we live in a society that pays too much attention to the way we look. But maybe we are not paying enough attention. Wake up, people, our children are fat. F-A-T. Fat. Like anorexia, this can kill our children, and something needs to be done about it. Parents need to start feeding their kids good food, and not let them suck down the entire salad bar. They should be outside exercising instead of inside on their already fat arses watching TV. Something needs to be done about this. Fast. Before it's too late.

Learn more about this author, Giorgina Angela.
Contact this writer Click here to send author comments or questions.


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Obesity in children: Addressing the problem

  • 1 of 18

    by Giorgina Angela

    Some of you may not like what I have to say in this blog, but hey, hold no prisoners. Last night I was out to te... read more

  • 2 of 18

    by Laureen Manera

    Childhood obesity is an epidemic in our society today. So much so that hardly a week goes by that you don't hear some... read more

  • 3 of 18

    by Ginger Kazay

    Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions through out the world. Adults are not the only one who face record weight g... read more

View All Articles on:
Obesity in children: Addressing the problem

Add your voice

Know something about Obesity in children: Addressing the problem?
We want to hear your view. Write_penWrite now!

Debate Icon

Cast your vote!

Are the uses of drugs leading the growth of super bacteria?

Click for your side. Must be logged in.

99218

Featured Partner

National Autism Association (NAA)

The National Autism Association (NAA) has partnered with Helium, giving you the chance to donate your article earning...more

What is Helium? | User Guide | Community | Link to Helium | Privacy | User agreement | DMCA

Helium, Inc.
200 Brickstone Square Andover, MA 01810 USA