Child Obesity: How Can You Stop Contributing to the Problem?

We’ve all heard it--each generation is unhealthier than the last.

To me, that says that as adults, we are doing something wrong. What other generation had 18% of children ages 6-11 classified as obese? In 2012, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. Among a sample of 5 to 17 year olds, 70% of obese youth had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

We would never want to do anything that would harm our children. We keep them away from a hot stove and hold their hand while we cross the street. Letting their health deteriorate is harming them. It just is. They don’t know any better, they don’t do the grocery shopping, and they don’t make meal choices.

It is completely up to us and if we fail on that front then we have under served our children.

I was reading an article entitled, “9 Common Mistakes Parents Make About Their Kid’s Weight” and I was pleased with each mistake listed until I got to #9. This point stated we should teach children that weight is another form of diversity. The line that really upset me stated: “Let your children know that weight is a characteristic, not a behavior.” 

I am all about body acceptance, self-love, and being proud of who you are. Yes, genetics can play a part in your weight and of course, there is not one set weight or shape that everyone should achieve.

However, if we teach our children that they have absolutely no control over their weight,  what motivation do they have to treat their weight and body with respect? 

There is a point where weight most definitely effects a child’s health. Who are we to tell them it doesn’t matter when science has shown that if a child or adolescent is obese, they are more likely to be obese as adults and at risk for heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Health and weight matter. We need to love and support one another, but that does not mean accepting and supporting unhealthy lifestyles.

I am not a parent--what do I know? Well, I do know that children deserve our efforts and time to make sure they can live a long and healthy life. I know that if we accept our own unhealthy weight and lifestyle that our children are more likely to follow our path. I know that we control which food we provide our children.

I have 22 nieces and nephews--I would hate to see any of them struggle with unhealthy weight in their lives without us doing anything about it. We should all feel the weight (no pun intended) of this issue on our shoulders regardless if we have children of our own. 

Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. That is not an effect of diversity or genetics. That is an effect of our poor examples as adults and parents--that’s on us.

Need help? Let us assist you to improve the health of your family. We want to help you take those baby steps to improving you and your family's habits. You really can do it!

Love your Bud,

Aubri Goodfellow