Overweight Children

I was walking through the grocery store the other day and, once again,
I saw a 15-20 kids with their parents out shopping. At least 5 of these
kids were very, very overweight. I would really call them obese.
These are young children who are only 5 or 6 years old.   A couple
more that were under 12.  The CDC (Center for Disease Control)
states that 1 of 7 children ages 6 - 11 are not just
overweight, but obese. There is some correlation to income, but
it is small.

Every time that I see a very young child who is very overweight, all
that I always wonder WHY? How can any parent let their child
gain that much weight? I then look at the parents and, in most cases,
one of both of the parents are also extremely overweight. The parents
do not realize that they are setting an example, and not one that the
child should be imitating.

If the parent is asked about their child's weight, I am sure that
most parents will shake their head and say "I just don't know what
to do!" I know what they can do.  I taught gymnastics and had
one very overweight young 5 year old.  She was unable to just
hang from a bar.  The I overheard the father tell her that as a
reward for trying hard he would get her an ice cream cone
when her class was over.  I set him straight very quickly.
Amazingly, he really thought he was doing the right thing.

     When I am asked what to do, harsh as this may sound, I
sometimes simply tell them to MAKE AN EFFORT, and use some
common sense.  Let your child know that your being overweight is not
how he or she should be, and that just because you eat an
entire bag of potato chips at a sitting, that it in not okay for your child.

I could go on for a while, but I would really like to hear some other
thoughts on this. I am not blaming, but more just wondering
why parents do not take more of an interest. 

Until next time, go for a walk - and take your children.

If you have a weight problem, let me give you some free
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