Opinions on childhood obesity...

nwhitley

Don't want to hijack the thread but had to respond to the comment about teachers being lazy. The amount of homework is based on several things. I teach 5th grade and I am required to give a certain amount of homework each night. I don't even get to decided what the homework will be. It comes from the curriculum I am required to teach. Also, the expectations and standards are very different from what they were 20 even 10 years ago. I and other teachers can't teach everything in the amount of time students are in school (reading, writing, math, science, social studies, character traits, manners, hygiene, common sense, discipline), so some of the practice part gets sent home. But, once again that's not my decision. Also, since many people insist that teacher's pay be connected to test scores then of course student assignments, homework, etc will increase. Done

I'm going on 67. Childhood obesity today is totally appalling. However, it's easy to blame the parents. Here's what is different from When I was growing up: There are no gym periods in schools these days, not to mention gym teachers. When I went to grammar school, we had two recess periods and lunch. We were expected to play outside. I played tether ball whenever I could - there was always a line of girls waiting to play. We jumped double dutch. There were hula hoops and yoyos and paddle balls. When I got home I did NOT do two hours of homework. How crazy is it to demand two hours of young kids who really need to play. They've just spent six hours in school. Is the teacher that lazy that she/he can't get the lessons across? When I got home, I'd change and go out to join the neighborhood kids in a game of stick ball. The sewers were our bases. We ran a lot. We biked, we built forts on empty lots. I climbed trees. What I see these days is that kids play too many video games, they don't get enough exercise at school, or else they're overscheduled with swim meets, and other structured activities. We've taken the fun out of play. I can relate to fat kids too. My brother was fat all the way through grammar school, although not obese. He was teased mercilessly, since fat kids were not the norm in those days. When he got to junior high he started weight training like mad and slimmed down considerably. He's still slim at 65. My parents were on the stout side, but they were also old. I had the oldest mother in my grammar school. She was in her early fifties. Finally, growing up we were never bombarded with food ads on TV morning, noon and night. Candy and ice cream were a once a week treat. We didn't toss bottles and cans onto the street because they were worth 5 cents each. I'd return a bottle and buy a piece gum. Don't discount all those food ads. I've found myself wanting to drive to Wendy's when I see a late night ad. We also have access to food 24/7 in every store I can think of, including nearly all gas stations. And here's the really scary thing for parents of pre-teens. We are also bombarded by drug company ads 24/7 on TV. Then we wonder why our children abuse prescription drugs. We seem to operate on the slogan "there's an app (drug) for that". I was bombarded with cigarette ads on TV growing up and it did have an effect. In high school it was cool to smoke. I quit in my thirties only after I'd seen three people die within three to six months after getting lung cancer. All were smokers.

amersmanders

If you're such an ambassador for healthy living, how did you get overweight?

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Let's not forget that we're in this to support each other's healthier life choices.

Bobby_Clerici

I'm going to take a wild guess here and say that you started long before me there bucko. I dont have 100+ pounds to lose, I was never that fat. I have another ten and I am done. And I know perfectly well why it is dragging its *kitten* to get there, because I am slacking off.

Another wild guess: sound like Hitler would be more of a fun father then you. Sure your kids arent fat, but *kitten* son, ever think that maybe they wanted to get home and have a relax for once? Not get forced out to exercise?

No!
You just clearly characterized the failure mentality of parents who can't take responsibility.
To some, parenting is about being popular.
Go ahead; such kids raised by such parents will be shining our shoes.:drinker:

You've lost a significant amount of weight, that is awesome.

Now are you saying that I am going to be a soft parent with fat kids? Yeah pretty sure I'm not, because I do have a backbone and I dont want fat kids. Simple.

You can get off your high horse now. You are wonder dad. Well done. Your certificate and medal are in the mail.

All our kids [my family, your family] are the fruit of our parenting.
And it's tough; you know....:flowerforyou:
"certificate and medal are in the mail."----you made me smile - haha - seriously, if anybody is in these trenches, do the best you can.
All we can do is all we can do, and it just kills me inside when I see fat kids.
Good luck to you.

shellebelle87

[\quote]

If you're such an ambassador for healthy living, how did you get overweight?

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[/quote]

It was an honest question. I wasnt attacking him. Genuinely wanted to know how it happened.

Bobby_Clerici

[\quote]

If you're such an ambassador for healthy living, how did you get overweight?

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It was an honest question. I wasnt attacking him. Genuinely wanted to know how it happened.[\quote]

:smokin: Fair enough, and I answered. If I can't live it, I should not preach it.
I live it, and so too do you. :drinker:

Mymag

My son is the top seeded tennis player at his High School.
He thanked me for that.
My ten year old was invited to be on the All Star baseball team; he thanked me.
My 14 year old is a top wrestler with a shelf full of 1st place and second place trophies.
Need I go on?
All 5 of my kids excel in school and exist at the top of the social food chain.
Keep making excuses, and we'll keep winning.
That's the difference.:drinker:

So that's what you care about? Your kids' athletic abilities and social status? Like I said, my parents and I are happy and have an awesome relationship, which I consider to be a lot more important.

glovepuppet

i think people are blurring the topic here...
theres a world of difference between a chubby child and an obese child.
the difference between a cold and polio.
when it hits the point of obese you should be looking for professional help,
and if you don't you're neglecting your job.

shellebelle87

[\quote]

If you're such an ambassador for healthy living, how did you get overweight?

MyFitnessPal Site-wide Community Guidelines

1. No Attacks or Insults and No Reciprocation
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It was an honest question. I wasnt attacking him. Genuinely wanted to know how it happened.[\quote]

:smokin: Fair enough, and I answered. If I can't live it, I should not preach it.
I live it, and so too do you. :drinker:

Neither of us wants fat kids, we want them to be healthy, fit strong and successful. Just took a bit of niggling before we sorted it :flowerforyou:

bm99

If you treat your child like a victim of circumstance, they will become that victim. Is that what you want? Don't teach your kid to accept their crappy life (it's OKAY to be fat...), teach them to take control and CHANGE IT.

There have been so many posts about making sure you are delicate with children about their weight and make sure their little feelings aren't hurt... no wonder kids feel trapped in their fat little bodies! They have adults telling them on the one hand what they should eat and how to exercise, and on the other hand telling them that they're perfect just the way they are (50 pounds overweight).

TALK to your kid about their health and weight! Ask them if they know any fat kids and how they are treated at school. Make sure they understand that while their worth isn't totally dependent on their appearance, they should always strive to be the best they can possibly be in every way. Give them the tools to succeed so they can be proud of themselves instead of drowning in their own unhappiness. Don't let them be victims. Make them own their mistakes, and own up to yours.

God no wonder kids are depressed little ****s nowadays. Parents are coddling them to death and denying them the feeling of TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENT. Obviously don't be mean to your kids but stop worrying about their delicate psyches!

Mymag

If you treat your child like a victim of circumstance, they will become that victim. Is that what you want? Don't teach your kid to accept their crappy life (it's OKAY to be fat...), teach them to take control and CHANGE IT.

There have been so many posts about making sure you are delicate with children about their weight and make sure their little feelings aren't hurt... no wonder kids feel trapped in their fat little bodies! They have adults telling them on the one hand what they should eat and how to exercise, and on the other hand telling them that they're perfect just the way they are (50 pounds overweight).

TALK to your kid about their health and weight! Ask them if they know any fat kids and how they are treated at school. Make sure they understand that while their worth isn't totally dependent on their appearance, they should always strive to be the best they can possibly be in every way. Give them the tools to succeed so they can be proud of themselves instead of drowning in their own unhappiness. Don't let them be victims. Make them own their mistakes, and own up to yours.

God no wonder kids are depressed little ****s nowadays. Parents are coddling them to death and denying them the feeling of TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENT. Obviously don't be mean to your kids but stop worrying about their delicate psyches!

My mom and doctor talked to me about my weight once, and all it did was make me feel bad. Even when a doctor just asked me about my acne, it made me feel horrible. And while it did make me WISH I was skinnier and prettier and everything, I had no motivation to do anything about it. It wasn't until after I started feeling really good about myself that I actually started making a real effort to lose weight. Feeling bad and hating my body wasn't ever enough, but now that I actually like myself, I'm doing it for me. And don't get me wrong, I don't think you should encourage unhealthy habits. I just don't think convincing your kid they're not good enough is the way to go.

bm99

If you treat your child like a victim of circumstance, they will become that victim. Is that what you want? Don't teach your kid to accept their crappy life (it's OKAY to be fat...), teach them to take control and CHANGE IT.

There have been so many posts about making sure you are delicate with children about their weight and make sure their little feelings aren't hurt... no wonder kids feel trapped in their fat little bodies! They have adults telling them on the one hand what they should eat and how to exercise, and on the other hand telling them that they're perfect just the way they are (50 pounds overweight).

TALK to your kid about their health and weight! Ask them if they know any fat kids and how they are treated at school. Make sure they understand that while their worth isn't totally dependent on their appearance, they should always strive to be the best they can possibly be in every way. Give them the tools to succeed so they can be proud of themselves instead of drowning in their own unhappiness. Don't let them be victims. Make them own their mistakes, and own up to yours.

God no wonder kids are depressed little ****s nowadays. Parents are coddling them to death and denying them the feeling of TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENT. Obviously don't be mean to your kids but stop worrying about their delicate psyches!

My mom and doctor talked to me about my weight once, and all it did was make me feel bad. Even when a doctor just asked me about my acne, it made me feel horrible. And while it did make me WISH I was skinnier and prettier and everything, I had no motivation to do anything about it. It wasn't until after I started feeling really good about myself that I actually started making a real effort to lose weight. Feeling bad and hating my body wasn't ever enough, but now that I actually like myself, I'm doing it for me. And don't get me wrong, I don't think you should encourage unhealthy habits. I just don't think convincing your kid they're not good enough is the way to go.

ETA "Not good enough"? Doing good for yourself comes from love and self respect. Those thing come from a positive attitude and accomplishment.


No offense meant, and its great how well you're doing, but my kids will never have that attitude because they wont be raised that way. If something is not right, we don't lie down and cry about it we FIX it. We aren't victims. We do not have a self pitying attitude. My kids will have the tools to succeed in life because I will teach then responsibility and self discipline and how to be happy not coddling and entitlement.

Bobby_Clerici

If you treat your child like a victim of circumstance, they will become that victim. Is that what you want? Don't teach your kid to accept their crappy life (it's OKAY to be fat...), teach them to take control and CHANGE IT.

There have been so many posts about making sure you are delicate with children about their weight and make sure their little feelings aren't hurt... no wonder kids feel trapped in their fat little bodies! They have adults telling them on the one hand what they should eat and how to exercise, and on the other hand telling them that they're perfect just the way they are (50 pounds overweight).

TALK to your kid about their health and weight! Ask them if they know any fat kids and how they are treated at school. Make sure they understand that while their worth isn't totally dependent on their appearance, they should always strive to be the best they can possibly be in every way. Give them the tools to succeed so they can be proud of themselves instead of drowning in their own unhappiness. Don't let them be victims. Make them own their mistakes, and own up to yours.

God no wonder kids are depressed little ****s nowadays. Parents are coddling them to death and denying them the feeling of TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENT. Obviously don't be mean to your kids but stop worrying about their delicate psyches!

My mom and doctor talked to me about my weight once, and all it did was make me feel bad. Even when a doctor just asked me about my acne, it made me feel horrible. And while it did make me WISH I was skinnier and prettier and everything, I had no motivation to do anything about it. It wasn't until after I started feeling really good about myself that I actually started making a real effort to lose weight. Feeling bad and hating my body wasn't ever enough, but now that I actually like myself, I'm doing it for me. And don't get me wrong, I don't think you should encourage unhealthy habits. I just don't think convincing your kid they're not good enough is the way to go.

A bunch of psycho-babble....another symptom of just why our culture is off track.
And we wonder....:noway:

Bobby_Clerici

My son is the top seeded tennis player at his High School.
He thanked me for that.
My ten year old was invited to be on the All Star baseball team; he thanked me.
My 14 year old is a top wrestler with a shelf full of 1st place and second place trophies.
Need I go on?
All 5 of my kids excel in school and exist at the top of the social food chain.
Keep making excuses, and we'll keep winning.
That's the difference.:drinker:

So that's what you care about? Your kids' athletic abilities and social status? Like I said, my parents and I are happy and have an awesome relationship, which I consider to be a lot more important.

Birds of a feather flock together......
..........while eagles soar....:drinker:

Mymag

If you treat your child like a victim of circumstance, they will become that victim. Is that what you want? Don't teach your kid to accept their crappy life (it's OKAY to be fat...), teach them to take control and CHANGE IT.

There have been so many posts about making sure you are delicate with children about their weight and make sure their little feelings aren't hurt... no wonder kids feel trapped in their fat little bodies! They have adults telling them on the one hand what they should eat and how to exercise, and on the other hand telling them that they're perfect just the way they are (50 pounds overweight).

TALK to your kid about their health and weight! Ask them if they know any fat kids and how they are treated at school. Make sure they understand that while their worth isn't totally dependent on their appearance, they should always strive to be the best they can possibly be in every way. Give them the tools to succeed so they can be proud of themselves instead of drowning in their own unhappiness. Don't let them be victims. Make them own their mistakes, and own up to yours.

God no wonder kids are depressed little ****s nowadays. Parents are coddling them to death and denying them the feeling of TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENT. Obviously don't be mean to your kids but stop worrying about their delicate psyches!

My mom and doctor talked to me about my weight once, and all it did was make me feel bad. Even when a doctor just asked me about my acne, it made me feel horrible. And while it did make me WISH I was skinnier and prettier and everything, I had no motivation to do anything about it. It wasn't until after I started feeling really good about myself that I actually started making a real effort to lose weight. Feeling bad and hating my body wasn't ever enough, but now that I actually like myself, I'm doing it for me. And don't get me wrong, I don't think you should encourage unhealthy habits. I just don't think convincing your kid they're not good enough is the way to go.

No offense meant, and its great how well you're doing, but my kids will never have that attitude because they wont be raised that way. If something is not right, we don't lie down and cry about it we FIX it. We aren't victims. We do not have a self pitying attitude. My kids will have the tools to succeed in life because I will teach then responsibility and self discipline and how to be happy not coddling and entitlement.

Whoa, don't insult my parents because I'm abnormally sensitive. My parents did not "coddle" me. My mom was in the army, she knows all about discipline and responsibility. My parents didn't raise us with a sense of "entitlement." I bought my laptop with my own money, and the only reason my dad agreed to even consider getting us a PS3 for Christmas is because we all agreed to give up the rest of our presents. But I was teased for my weight and acne in middle school. I can't imagine many teenage girls whose self-esteem wouldn't suffer from that. I didn't have a "self pitying attitude," it's called depression, and it's genetic, and it can't be trained out of someone. My mom did try to talk to me about my weight multiple times, but it upset me because I'm a sensitive person. And if your kids are tough enough to handle being called fat, that's great. But you can't be sure they will be.

stephenglover

I sleep well at night with it.
And she has no problem with her self confidence has more guts than most grown ups I know.
I also think she comes down in weight and levels out on her own as she grows in her mind and
physical attributes.

We have to many rules for kids as it is they should be able to enjoy some things while they can
and stop having to take from them. Don't get me wrong i beleive in discpline. I was never denied
any food I wanted and never got overweight until I quit working out in the field and behind a desk.
some of us just have a different shape and size. Her weight is a lot of muscle she can probably squat
your weight.

I just dont see it as a parents fault sometimes I am sure but not as much as I see stated here.

stephenglover

OK,
So am I bad parent? my youngest daughter 5'4" 14 yrs old weighs 165#.
Tell me I am and I will show you I am not with a girl who can run laps,
do 2 hours of pure Cardio workouts with the best of people, she is 14
give me a break she will lose the weight. Most of the girls I remember from
school that were thin are now large and the ones built like my daughter caught
up to there bodies.

She is a second degree blackbelt and trains 3 times a week, 2 hours a day
and sevral tournamnets a year.
Doctors have not said a word about it and she goes for annual check ups
etc.

When you know better, you do better.

Chances are your daughter isn't happy with her weight. Have you talked to her about it? Does she know how to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way? She may feel helpless to do anything about it. Weight problems do not just go away on their own.

I spend quality time with my daughter so yes I ask her, make sure she feels confident and she does and shoes in her many acheivements in school and out of as well.
I will say neither of us new about weight loss in a healthy way until the last year and I dont push it on her but we are both working to lose some. I just don't agree with it being a bad parent.

stephenglover

The PARENTS control what the kid does, and what comes into the house, and what kind of eating habits these kids will have. If they are obese, the parents should take the full blame and, to a radical extent, I think they should be charged with child abuse.

To some extent. You can't FORCE a kid to eat things. I tried to push the issue with my fifteen year old when he was five. I was going to MAKE him eat that broccoli. He ate it all right... and made himself throw up on the table. My two year old will throw things that he doesn't like on the floor and will go hungry before eating something "ucky." (This is why I keep other things around that are healthy that he will eat.)

Sure, I can keep things out, but I can't force good eating. I'm going to guess that you don't have children. Once you have your own, you realize that everything is not as black and white as you seem to think.

Wrong.
As I already mentioned, success is a choice - no excuses.
First, none of my kids are fat but very fit - head and shoulders above 90% of their peers.
We have 5 kids.
I make them train and eat what I prepare, and we allow no junk food, soda or TV.
They indeed carp, and my response is always the same.
Eat what I make, or eat NOTHING, and in extreme cases taste belt leather.
End of story.
I refuse to raise what I see too much of in American society: fat, underachieving kids who will grow up to be fat, unhappy adults.
They can hate me now to love me later or whatever. It's not a popularity contest.
As a parent, I have a job to do.

If you're such an ambassador for healthy living, how did you get overweight?

what I have been thinking about all the comments, haha!

SGT_Reg

Fast food Happy meals and kids meals are a big problem. My daughter loves them, and they are convenient. But we limit them, and she doesn't sit around and watch TV and play video games. She will be turing 4 in a couple of weeks, and the fast food meals are going away. I take her to the pool a few times a week. We play in the yard. She works out with me, doing P90X and Insanity. She loves it. I will be damned if she is going to be overweight from anything other than physiological causes. Keep the kids active, shut off the TV and video games, and make them eat fruits and veggies.

Bobby_Clerici

Fast food Happy meals and kids meals are a big problem. My daughter loves them, and they are convenient. But we limit them, and she doesn't sit around and watch TV and play video games. She will be turing 4 in a couple of weeks, and the fast food meals are going away. I take her to the pool a few times a week. We play in the yard. She works out with me, doing P90X and Insanity. She loves it. I will be damned if she is going to be overweight from anything other than physiological causes. Keep the kids active, shut off the TV and video games, and make them eat fruits and veggies.

BING!
Another solid parent who is taking ownership of his responsibilities instead of sniveling about the food industry or making weak excuses.
Keep Punching!

bm99

If you treat your child like a victim of circumstance, they will become that victim. Is that what you want? Don't teach your kid to accept their crappy life (it's OKAY to be fat...), teach them to take control and CHANGE IT.

There have been so many posts about making sure you are delicate with children about their weight and make sure their little feelings aren't hurt... no wonder kids feel trapped in their fat little bodies! They have adults telling them on the one hand what they should eat and how to exercise, and on the other hand telling them that they're perfect just the way they are (50 pounds overweight).

TALK to your kid about their health and weight! Ask them if they know any fat kids and how they are treated at school. Make sure they understand that while their worth isn't totally dependent on their appearance, they should always strive to be the best they can possibly be in every way. Give them the tools to succeed so they can be proud of themselves instead of drowning in their own unhappiness. Don't let them be victims. Make them own their mistakes, and own up to yours.

God no wonder kids are depressed little ****s nowadays. Parents are coddling them to death and denying them the feeling of TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENT. Obviously don't be mean to your kids but stop worrying about their delicate psyches!

My mom and doctor talked to me about my weight once, and all it did was make me feel bad. Even when a doctor just asked me about my acne, it made me feel horrible. And while it did make me WISH I was skinnier and prettier and everything, I had no motivation to do anything about it. It wasn't until after I started feeling really good about myself that I actually started making a real effort to lose weight. Feeling bad and hating my body wasn't ever enough, but now that I actually like myself, I'm doing it for me. And don't get me wrong, I don't think you should encourage unhealthy habits. I just don't think convincing your kid they're not good enough is the way to go.

No offense meant, and its great how well you're doing, but my kids will never have that attitude because they wont be raised that way. If something is not right, we don't lie down and cry about it we FIX it. We aren't victims. We do not have a self pitying attitude. My kids will have the tools to succeed in life because I will teach then responsibility and self discipline and how to be happy not coddling and entitlement.

Whoa, don't insult my parents because I'm abnormally sensitive. My parents did not "coddle" me. My mom was in the army, she knows all about discipline and responsibility. My parents didn't raise us with a sense of "entitlement." I bought my laptop with my own money, and the only reason my dad agreed to even consider getting us a PS3 for Christmas is because we all agreed to give up the rest of our presents. But I was teased for my weight and acne in middle school. I can't imagine many teenage girls whose self-esteem wouldn't suffer from that. I didn't have a "self pitying attitude," it's called depression, and it's genetic, and it can't be trained out of someone. My mom did try to talk to me about my weight multiple times, but it upset me because I'm a sensitive person. And if your kids are tough enough to handle being called fat, that's great. But you can't be sure they will be.

All I am going to say to this is... thank God I have boys.

PhilyPhresh

This is a complete and total failure of the parents.
There are things parents can do for their kids which most do not. I want my own children to be at the top of life's food chain.
I have 5 kids and start them exercising at age 2. We call it "PT" which is USMC for "Physical Training".
It's not play time but serious. And it's neither optional nor negotiable.
At 8pm every day, we all gather and everybody does push-ups, pull-ups and sit ups. Once per week is self-defense training.
We do not do any cardio as each kid in involved in sports: swimming, tennis, hiking, track or whatever.
There is no TV or junk food allowed in the house, and computer time is limited and monitored.
None of our kids have ever been fat, weak or bullied, and no teenager was ever on dope or in trouble.
All excel in sports, school and their social network.
Parents have a responsibility to prepare their kids for the rough world we live in.
Success is a choice.

Do you just crap awesome or what? My 3 year old has started taking an interest in CrossFit and Paleo and it is awesome. I don't know many 3-4 y/o's who ask for a carrot or a sweet potato and water as a snack... That's the kinda thing that just makes ya feel good as a parent. Parents definitely need to step up the responsibility to their children. You are not their friend, you are their parent and it is your job to teach them self control and how to live right and healthy!

bregalad5

]My son is the top seeded tennis player at his High School.
He thanked me for that.
My ten year old was invited to be on the All Star baseball team; he thanked me.
My 14 year old is a top wrestler with a shelf full of 1st place and second place trophies.
Need I go on?
All 5 of my kids excel in school and exist at the top of the social food chain.
Keep making excuses, and we'll keep winning.
That's the difference.:drinker:

Warning: off topic.

I thanked my parents for forcing me into activities I didn't want to be in. Why? Because that's what they wanted to hear. Didn't mean that I was being serious.

They also hit me with a belt when I misbehaved (it could probably have technically been called abuse, but it never left any scars except for emotional), and washed my mouth out with soap if I swore, or didn't eat what was on my plate at dinner. I struggle to wear belts now, and whenever someone takes theirs off I am afraid they're going to hit me with it. I moved away from my house as soon as I possibly could, and only go back a couple times a year (if that) because, while I have forgiven my parents for the mental and psychological abuse I endured, I struggle to be around them for more than a couple days.

My ex is a son of a Marine, and he absolutely hated the Marine *kitten* he endured growing up. I think there is a lot of ignorance in assuming everyone loves the same things you do, that every child needs to have the same exact "regiment", and that all 5 of your kids really, truly love what you're putting them through. Whatever happened to fun activities for kids? God.

glovepuppet

weirdly, i don't want my kids to feel the need to be top of the food chain, or to see society as a food chain, or to think that being the best at everything is your number one goal. my youngest might be top of the class in most subjects, he might be good at sports, but that's because he aims to be -his- best, not because i pressure him to be -the- best.

they make good food and exercise choices because we talk about what makes a good or a bad choice, what the benefits of a good choice are, what the consequenses of a bad choice are, how to balance the less healthy pleasures so that they don't have any real impact. when they leave home they'll need the tools to make good choices for themselves, because they can't blindly obey me forever.

give a man a fish, etc.

EmilyMarieMo

Just thought this was interesting... In my 2nd grade VBS class last night, we were talking about something we did bad that day... overweight little girl (not sure if qualifies as obese or not, but clearly overweight by more than a tad) admits her "wrong doing (or sin)" of the day was sneaking and stealing another cookie out of the box after her mom had already told her she couldn't have it any more. And the day before that she commented about the helpers snacks being better (meaning more unhealthy and tasty!) than the kids snacks and that it wasn't fair. Her mom heard her say that and she said "for this kid, EVERYTHING is always about the snacks!" Also, the little girl asked to sit out of the physical games time that required running around both days, b/c she said she'd rather just sit and talk to her friend instead.

I wonder why for this kid it is all about the food, and why is it so bad that she is willing to sneak and steal food KNOWING it is wrong??? How does a parent change internal desire the kid has???

Sure you can force good food, force exercise, talk to them about the difference between good food and bad food, etc... but what did the parent do that caused this kid to be ALL about the food so much so she will even steal it? And how does a parent encourage the kid to make the internal change in desire for the food and to not WANT to be lazy? Her parents are of average weight, not skinny, not big... So... really can't say like parent- like child here from visual observance only.

This kid has a precious personality and is well behaved. Doesn't overdo anything for attention, but she isn't shy in the least either. She dresses cutesy as if she enjoys fashionable things and likes having flare to her appearance. She is one of the biggest (in weight) girls in the entire 2nd grade class of about 30 kids. There are maybe 2-3 other little girls also that are more than a "little overweight"... and the class is mostly girls. So from all this... I come to believe she seems just fine externally with her excess weight even though her body size stands out from what is average in the group.

glovepuppet

why have the cookies in the house?
my kids are a healthy weight but i don't have junk food in the house.

when they were younger we had sweet day, where we'd all go to the local sweet shop and (from the jar lined walls) choose fifty pence worth each. i didn't keep the temptation of sweets in the house.

it's different for older kids but for young kids it's not that hard to stop them eating treats. just don't have them lying around. buy them as special occassion treats.