posted on August 18, 2008 11:34:52 PM new
Pixi, your postings on this subject are very thoughtful, and you're causing me to rethink my attitudes--somewhat. I agree with you that portion size is part of the problem; tonight we ate with friends at our favorite restaurant, and once again I brought home 2/3 of my entree. We'll share it, with a salad, for dinner tomorrow night. You're right that we don't have to eat it all.
Folks also don't have to eat so fast. We were at a family reunion the other day, and a very overweight family member, a woman, took as much food as I did from the buffet, but ate it like there was no tomorrow--shoveling it in, and then going back for seconds, which were consumed before I'd finished my plateful.
I understand there are people like the ones you've described who are doing the best they can and who have a genetic component to their overweight. (I've been about 20 pounds overweight for 15 years, and unfortunately that seems to be my "angle of repose," no matter what I (somewhat carelessly) attempt.) That doesn't negate the fact that the shopping carts of the largest people at the supermarket have the largest amount of junk food in them.
Dr. Phil has had some extremely obese people (600-800 pounds) on his show, and just seeing the amount of food those people were eating (thanks to "loving" friends and family who buy and serve the junk to them) made me sick to my stomach.
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posted on August 19, 2008 12:55:11 AM new
There is an interesting article written on inheriting 'fat genes' and how perhaps the medical community wants you to believe it and use it as an excuse for being overweight and not feel guilty as there will be drugs to cure you - there is a ton of money to be made by the pharmaceutical giants.
The article explains the difference between ectomorphs, mesomorphs and endomorphs. I am an ectomorph and sometimes it's a struggle to keep weight on and it's not easy for me to gain it again if I lose it. I now try to remember to eat about six small meals throughout the day which helps because I burn it off quickly.
Why weren't there that many fat kids or adults years ago and why are there so many now? Is it that everyone is inheriting the fat gene now for some reason and turning into endomorphs? And how come there aren't many fat kids on bicycles and skateboards?
posted on August 19, 2008 09:03:53 PM newWhy weren't there that many fat kids or adults years ago and why are there so many now?
That's the essence of the whole shootin' match kiara. Garbage meals + no concentrated physical activity + parents who are too "busy" to raise their children = fat kids, and fat kids = fat adults, way more fat adults than can be rationalized away as endomorphs.
You eBay sellers are missing a bet. How about a new Tshirt line?
posted on August 19, 2008 09:12:28 PM new
There may be two other factors in kids' obesity: (1) Not having the freedom to play outdoors without adult supervision (at least in towns and cities) plus more latch-key kids who have orders to stay indoors and watch TV until a parent gets home; and (2) I heard recently that the popularity of flip-flops in school is keeping girls from such activity as running, jumping.
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posted on August 19, 2008 09:18:48 PM new
I heard on TV last night that China is facing a sudden childhood obesity problem; they point to the huge popularity of Kentucky Fried Chicken as the main culprit. The American disease, spread worldwide if the fast-food places have any say in it.
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posted on August 19, 2008 09:28:30 PM new
Roadsmith, I had to laugh at your fast eaters outlook- my son, his father and now I am painfully slow eaters. Even in pre-school, my son was still eating his lunch 1/2 hour after everyone had finished. With just the 2 of us, we sit at the table and pray before dinner, give updates on the day's events, eat a few bites, then wander off and come back individually when we're ready for another few bites. It usually takes 2-3 hours to complete dinner. Far different than when I grew up with a family of 6. We sat down, prayed, gave updates and ate until the food was gone. BTW, I don't see an abundance of fat kids in the middle school. I see scary thin girls and lanky, not-sure-what-to-do-with-their-growth boys. There are a few chubby teens amongst them- but i honestly can't say that there are substantially more than there were 40 years earlier.
Edited to add: Dr. Phil is probably my least favorite T.V. guru. My mom loves him, but IMHO he chooses his subjects carefully, to exploit rather than help them. I don't believe they are indicative of most overweight people.
[ edited by pixiamom on Aug 19, 2008 09:34 PM ]
posted on August 19, 2008 09:40:43 PM new
Funny, Pixi! My mother, too, was a very slow eater but she didn't get up from the table and then come back for more bites. She just liked to talk and enjoy the company. I'm turning into someone like her (surprise, surprise), and dining with friends I'm always the last one to push away from the table.
I think you've said you live in the Pacific northwest? It may be that the children up there are healthier with all the outdoor opportunities they have. Here in California, especially in the urban areas, the preponderance of overweight children is scary.
We have a single mother, cleaning lady who comes for 3 hours every two weeks just to do the heavy stuff. Her daughter, 8, is probably 20 pounds overweight, maybe more, and fits the profile of inactive kids. They live in a mobile home. When the mother is cleaning houses, on weekends or in the summer, the girl is ordered to stay IN the mobile home with door locked. All she can do in there is eat and watch tv, and it sure shows on her now, bless her heart.
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posted on August 21, 2008 12:34:41 AM new
I agree with the profe on this. MOST fat people eat more calories than they burn and that's why they're fat. Having been fat as a child I know that was my problem.
The key to my being thin for the last 40 years is...if my pants start getting tight I don't buy bigger pants! I start eating less and moving more. And it works!
AND, yes , teenagers can eat butter/bacon(gag) sandwiches and stay slim because they're growing....but it's not only UNHEALTHY ... if that sort of eating continues into adulthood it sets a bad pattern... and weight loss gets harder as you get older.
The better, more healthy foods I eat help give me the strength and energy to move more...what a vicious cycle!
One of the HIDDEN dangers in weight gain/loss....aspartame, the not so secret ingredient in "sugar free" foods....it causes sickness and increases appetite!
posted on August 21, 2008 12:44:09 AM new
AND I'd like to add that good nutritious healthy natural food doesn't just aid physical health it also helps mental health and function....especially in children......
posted on August 21, 2008 07:13:58 AM new
Pixia,
You should watch the kids leaving high school. It is scary how fat they are, I told my BF, there might have been 2 or 3 overweight kids when I was in high school, now it seems like nearly every one is. That somewhat blows the genetic factor. I am shocked at how many girls have HUGE middle areas, and to add to that disguisting look, they were shirts that show their belly and pants that are "hip huggers" (a term from my era).
People in general are MUCH lazier now and eat fast food and junk food. That is why there is an increase in "fat".
I am excluding those who have a medical condition that causes them to gain.
posted on August 21, 2008 07:20:00 AM new
Here's an interesting take on the fat issue and one I don't think anyone here has addressed - the emotional/mental health side of overeating. I don't know anything about the writer's credentials, but I thought it made a lot of sense.
Ask Dr. Linda: Why do I Overeat?
By Linda S Mintle, Ph.D.
“Why do I overeat?”
Dr Linda Helps - Question: I know that when I overeat, I gain weight but I can’t seem to stop. I hate how I look and am embarrassed to have people see me in a bathing suit. Why do I keep overeating? I don’t want to be fat but I can’t get control.
Dr. Linda: First of all you’ve got to stop saying you can’t stop. You can. It just takes a lot of hard work. An eating problem is not like a drug or alcohol problem. You can’t abstain from food and you aren’t physiologically addicted when you eat. But food can become a psychological addiction.
Let’s face it. Food is soothing and tastes good. Some people feel there is nothing better than food! It is always available, not illegal, can’t talk back, provides immediate gratification, gives pleasure, smells good, tastes good and is enjoyable.
People overeat for many reasons. A small percentage of people have medical problems that relate to overeating and obesity. Most people, however, overeat out of emotional distress. You may eat when you are bored, stressed, sad, depressed, anxious, angry, hurt, happy or for any other emotional reason. Food can be a way to celebrate or soothe and numb you from a bad experience.
Many of my clients overeat when they face conflict and don’t
know how to handle it. They are unassertive and swallow their upsets. They might agree to a resolution but secretly be unhappy or upset. Their low self-esteem leads them to believe they can’t handle problems or stress. Sometimes they lack the skills necessary to do so.
Sometimes people overeat to protect themselves from trauma. If they have been raped, sexually hurt or deeply rejected, eating may be used to cover up the wounding or ward people off. Perhaps when they were thin, someone traumatized them and now they associate thin with trauma.
Men and women sometimes overeat to deal with sexual impulses. Unconsciously, they may be afraid that if they had a trim body they would act out sexually, or be the target of sexual advances. Fat can serve as protection and is often blamed for other undeveloped parts of our self. For example, maybe I’m a critical person and that’s why people stay away from me. As long as I’m fat, I can blame their avoidance on my weight.
Most people aren’t aware they use food to cope with emotional issues. When I ask, “Why did you overeat”, the typical answer is, “I don’t know.” If you think about it hard and long enough, there was a reason for overeating.
Next time you find yourself overeating, think about what happened before you overate. Were you upset, angry, bored, excited? See if you can identify an emotion that may have led to overeating. The first step in breaking a compulsive pattern is to recognize what sets it off. Then force yourself to substitute some other activity for eating.
posted on August 21, 2008 09:42:23 AM new
Mingo, I agree about healthy foods for better brain function, even for adults.
People in general are MUCH lazier now and eat fast food and junk food.
Deichen, I know from experience that fast food and junk food can make a person lazy. Several times to gain weight quickly I've eaten doughnuts, pastries, cheesecakes and fatty fries etc and some of it is tasty enough to indulge in daily. But those foods make me sluggish and tired and I'm far less motivated to take an interest in doing the things I enjoy and even less motivated to do the things I don't enjoy but have to get done. My attention span as well as my patience levels change drastically, then I start to crave sweets and my blood sugar levels go out of whack. Even my skin tone changes and I start to look pasty after a very short time and my hair starts to look flat even though it's shampooed daily so I never try to gain weight that way nowadays.
Cherishedclutter, I think Dr. Linda's comments make perfect sense - food can be very comforting.
It's not too difficult to tell which kids are on healthy diets opposed to those who aren't and it's not always about the body fat either. The healthy ones always have more color in their cheeks and more of a spark in their eyes and are very aware of happenings around them.
Lately we've noticed more toddlers in strollers who lack that spark and seem somewhat drugged, almost as if they're in a daze and they don't have the rosy color. Not sure if it's diet or because the mothers have been on drugs (prescription or street) while they're pregnant but we notice many of the mothers are very young, some overweight and others painfully thin.
Strollers are getting bigger and sometimes we've commented that the kids are old enough to be walking instead of being pushed around. Two of my relatives work at schools with special care kids who have Autism, Asperger's or other learning and behavior problems. They live in different cities than we do but recently commented about the toddlers that seem to have the dozy expression and remarked that there will be no shortage of children to work with in the future.
Profe, I don't know how long you've been teaching but do you notice any increase in children with learning disabilities?
posted on August 21, 2008 10:52:29 AM new
Kiara,
I know whenever I eat something sweet - I feel sick. I know several obese people (friends and family) and all of them bring this upon themselves, consuming thousands of calories everyday and never exercising. You wouldn't believe how many excuses they have: can't have splenda (headaches), have to have full milk - won't give skim milk a chance, etc...
posted on August 21, 2008 08:50:43 PM new
Learning disabilities are increasing somewhat, but I'm not sure there are necessarily MORE kids with them. It's sort of like cancer rates. The number of people with certain cancers isn't going up, it's just that we're getting better at diagnosing them early.
What I do notice, and it has been increasing exponentially these last 10 years or so, is the number of kids who are incapable of attending to simple tasks for more than a few minutes. We can't call them all ADHD and put them on meds because they're not all ADHD. It's almost becoming the norm rather than the exception. I attribute some of this to diet. You wouldn't believe the number of kids who come to school without breakfast. Their parents always have some excuse. "She won't eat", or "I have to work early and don't have time" or some other nonsense. Hungry kids can't pay attention and don't retain what they learn. Any parent with a lick of sense knows what a tired, hungry kid's behavior is like and ought to be ashamed to put the responsibility of that child's learning and welfare into someone else's hands without first doing their parental duty. Failure to provide optimal nutrition for a child ought to be considered child abuse as far as I'm concerned, and that doesn't just mean putting food out. It means modeling good food choices and making those choices for the kids whether they like it or not. Children are not mature enough and not smart enough to make wise nutritional choices and they need good examples and constant help.
On the other hand, there are the kids who come to school so wired they can't sit still who when questioned about breakfast will tell you they had a nice big bowl of Coco Poopies or some other poisonous sludge for breakfast. By 10 a.m. their blood sugar has crashed and they're falling asleep in class. I'm talking about 4th thru 8th graders here. Kids who are plenty old enough to be taught to fry an egg and make toast or cook an actual bowl of REAL cereal if their "parents" are too busy.
The attention span difficulties we're seeing are not just the fault of poor nutrition though. I attribute as much or more to the way they are raised. Always busy starting from infanthood with "play dates", whatever they are, never allowed to go sit in the yard and dig a hole, always having their young lives programmed and ordered by their parents with lessons, clubs and activities of all sorts. Couple that with the nanosecond speed electronic gizmos they all use during their "down time" and you've got an entire generation of people who not only can't pay attention for more than a few minutes but who expect ALL of their stimulus to come in machine gun bursts from OUTSIDE themselves.
On reflection, I think I've spewed this rant here before. My apologies.
posted on August 22, 2008 05:36:38 AM new
One contributing factor to all that is the fact that most parents have to work full time leaving them with less time and energy to focus on the children except on the weekend when the sedentary, programed activities that you mention take place. I know several children in my neighborhood who are baby sat in schools until parents are able to pick them up arriving home after dark with no opportunity to play outdoors. They either watch TV or play computer games like micromanaged robots with little incentive to initiate or make plans for themselves.
posted on August 22, 2008 11:37:45 AM new
Deichen, the only sweets I normally allow myself are chocolate and ice-cream - diet essentials for me.
Profe, thanks for your answer. I'm certain that I've repeated things here also. Over the years others have objected to the criticism and judgments whenever a weight topic is addressed, perhaps because of the anonymity of strangers pointing fingers and not knowing the situations first hand.
Pixiamom and her son may linger over their meals for 2-3 hours but I've seldom had that much time to spare and wouldn't want to leave my food or my family's out that long anyways. We all make our own choices.
posted on August 22, 2008 01:48:57 PM new
That reminds me of something funny...if my kids were "pokey" at eating, my oldest son would start eating their food! They had to start eating faster to protect their food.
posted on August 23, 2008 11:35:21 PM new
Doesn't it all boil down to self control? Even if half (50%) of every "bad" human trait was genetic, the other half is under our control. You either have self control over that half or you don't.
"Roadsmith, I see this as a discussion on obesity, and the disgust and discrimination that accompanies it."
Pixi, I don't see anyone being disgusted with overweight people. Where do you read that? How can people talk about the problems of the world if everyone gets offended?
My major beef with society is dumbells that have kids they can't afford. Most people don't like to talk about it. Not because it's true, but because they might get offended if anything in the discussion applies to them. That way of thinking alone makes them part of the problem and not the solution. It's an epidemic.
