children's diet and the obesity crisis

I'm really surprised that people have been well extremely judgemental right back on this website of all places, I would have thought if I was worked up about something like this MFP would be the place to post!

Have you ever considered that maybe you are just lucky that you have a very compliant daughter who has a good temerment and eats what you give her?

Some kids JUST WONT EAT food they don't want, and will starve themselves until given something they consider palatable. As a parent when you are faced with a child that throws temper tantrums and just wont eat anything healthy you give them even if they haven't had anything substantial all day, you are going to just give them something they will eat because you rather they eat junk than starve.

And don't tell me that just because your kid will eat because she knows she wont get anything else that every kid will do this.They don't. It can be very stressful and very difficult and it gets even worse when other self righteous parents that got lucky come in and smugly tell you what to do because clearly THEY are doing everything right.

Men and women in their 30s and 40s who are 400, 500, 600 pounds.
Can barely wheel themselves into the dining room to eat a restricted calorie meal only to have family and friends bringing in all kinds of junk/fast food.
Their joints in so much pain that their days literally revolve around the next dose of Oxycodone.
Surgical wounds that can't heal properly and dehisce, leaving them in the nursing home for months to get IV antibiotics and dressing changes in hopes of healing so they can go home.
They can't work. They can't raise their kids.
And all of it could have been prevented.
With a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Is it really too far of a reach to want to start our kids down a healthy path?

Men and women in their 30s and 40s who are 400, 500, 600 pounds.
Can barely wheel themselves into the dining room to eat a restricted calorie meal only to have family and friends bringing in all kinds of junk/fast food.
Their joints in so much pain that their days literally revolve around the next dose of Oxycodone.
Surgical wounds that can't heal properly and dehisce, leaving them in the nursing home for months to get IV antibiotics and dressing changes in hopes of healing so they can go home.
They can't work. They can't raise their kids.
And all of it could have been prevented.
With a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Is it really too far of a reach to want to start our kids down a healthy path?

The OP has raised a real issue, even though maybe she is setting a high standard, which makes her seem judgemental.
I remember when we lived in USA back in the 1970s, being shocked when my six year old DS1 had friends round, who seemed to think it was normal to help themselves to anything in our fridge at any time in their visit without checking first that it was OK. I think it is best to teach your children from the first the need for a healthy diet - so my four knew about protein, carbohydrates and Vitamin C from babyhood, and the need for a balance. I would tell them tales of sailors getting scurvy, and why Australians called the English 'limeys' because some sensible captains of some ships stocked up with citrus fruit to keep scurvy away! And they do now all serve balanced meals in their homes.
The difficult thing is that commenting on how other parents raise their children is a really sensitive issue. When our GC come to stay, they know that eating crisps before a meal in our home is a no-no, but at my DS2's home it is accepted - so they then often are not hungry for the meal. Our GD2 never eats the crusts from her bread, but knows she has to at our home! When we stay with our DS2, it is up to my DiL and him to lay down the rules in their home!! I just hope that they will learn from our example.
And certainly, my GC have been following my weight loss with interest, and I discuss it openly with them, and share with them that I hope I will be around still at their weddings! And they join me sometimes in my morning exercises.
Finally, most UK schools and nurseries are becoming really good about providing healthy meals, teaching parents who have bad habits, and educating the children.
Slowly I hope we can turn it round, as the cost to our health services of obesity is huge!

Solution to OPs problem:

Find self sufficient farm without a single neighbor anywhere within 20 miles. Grow/raise all your own food and never interact with anyone who dares to eat anything outside of your very narrow definition of what constitutes food.

In this solution, we all win.

Solution to OPs problem:

Find self sufficient farm without a single neighbor anywhere within 20 miles. Grow/raise all your own food and never interact with anyone who dares to eat anything outside of your very narrow definition of what constitutes food.

In this solution, we all win.

solution to brower47:

Get a grip.

And stop hating on pizza!! We eat homemade pizza once a week or so. All good stuff, tons of vegetables, homemade crust and sauce. Delicious and not a "bad" food.

And to whomever said something about their kid not wanting onions on a salad, I don't want them either. I believe in making kids try new foods, but I would not force my kids to eat anything so horrid as raw onions. Yuck!

I haven't been using MFP much lately because we have been traveling and I logged in for some inspiration. Boy, what a slap in the face. I am shocked at how ugly a lot of the responders were to OP. Talk about not judging lest you be judged. Hold up a mirror folks. You are all judging OP like crazy.

First of all - we all make choices for our families. I was raised by "health nuts" who didn't allow sodas, junk food of any kind and exercised. They are healthy old folks now and I have just a few pounds to lose to stay in a healthy range. My darling hubby was raised with food out of box or can and his parents are riddled with heath problems including diabetes and high blood pressure. He is 40 lbs overweight. To me this seems pretty clear - and when I am out and see overweight kids usually the parents are overweight. There seems to be a correlation.

Food is fuel. Give kids good fuel and not crap so they have healthy bodies. I agree 100% with OP on the epidemic with kids and junk food. I also had lollies being brought into my home and/or given to my kids. I became crazy mom just last week when my 5, 6 and 8 yr olds were given soda at a science camp as a treat. They performed an experiment with the soda, then were offered it to drink. I do not ever see a reason for a child to have soda - pure chemicals and sugar and very addictive for kids. Blech. Instead of giving a kid a candy read them a book for a treat. Or take them for a walk. Play a game. Food is not love.

I also agree too much sugar and not enough sleep makes for really crabby kids. Don't get me started on the late bedtimes for all these children whose parents just think they don't need much sleep. Most kids need 12 hours each night.

So I just want to tell you OP that you are not alone. My kids know they are not going to have treats after every meal and they have to eat fruits and vegetables. We are also surrounded by people that are stuffing their kids with sugar and processed junk and looking at us like we are crazy. I do normally just limit playdates and parties and when we are there they can make their own choices so we don't end up in a fight about it. For example, my 8 yr old loves to tell me how much he loves his burgers so I make him a lean one and serve it with a big side of broccoli - we are both happy.

Solution to OPs problem:

Find self sufficient farm without a single neighbor anywhere within 20 miles. Grow/raise all your own food and never interact with anyone who dares to eat anything outside of your very narrow definition of what constitutes food.

In this solution, we all win.

solution to brower47:

Get a grip.

This is only a solution for me when it is concerning my steering wheel, my power tools, my weights and my husband.