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Elementary School Gym teachers telling kids to restrict calories!
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Calimom10
Posts: 6 Member
in Debate Club
I would love some input and advice from other parents.. or anyone who has an opinion on this subject!
So, for the past few months I have been very concerned about my 11 year old son. Hes already very thin and has been talking about how fat he is. He has been eating much less, wanting to eat low carb bread over the whole wheat white bread he normally eats, and the last time I had lunch with him in his school he only ate 2 bites of his food. He said he was saving his appetite for popcorn in class.
A little background about me ( was bulimic and anorexic for 12 years) His biological father also was bulimic. So I already know there is a good chance my kids will have eating disorders.
The other day he told me that his gym teacher has been talking about calorie counting. She told the kids that she had to eat nuts for dinner even though she was hungry because she reached her calorie limit for the day. She told them that they should limit calories. She also tells them that they're getting to an age where they need to start worrying about what they eat and that they should try to burn off every meal. She tells them that if they eat junk food they should do push ups or something to burn calories. She also talks about how they will see overweight kids in middle school next year and that they need to make choices to avoid being overweight.
I've talked to another mother with three kids in the same school and they confirmed that this is the way she teaches. Even the second graders are being told to count calories.
I'm absolutely livid!! I don't think kids need to worry about calories. No wonder my son has been not eating. PLEASE- feel free to give me some advice on how you would handle this. I've emailed the principal and teacher and am planning to meet with them.
Are gym teachers even allowed to give nutritional advice like this? I'm not about to allow this woman to be the trigger of my son's eating disorder. Although it's likely too late.
So, for the past few months I have been very concerned about my 11 year old son. Hes already very thin and has been talking about how fat he is. He has been eating much less, wanting to eat low carb bread over the whole wheat white bread he normally eats, and the last time I had lunch with him in his school he only ate 2 bites of his food. He said he was saving his appetite for popcorn in class.
A little background about me ( was bulimic and anorexic for 12 years) His biological father also was bulimic. So I already know there is a good chance my kids will have eating disorders.
The other day he told me that his gym teacher has been talking about calorie counting. She told the kids that she had to eat nuts for dinner even though she was hungry because she reached her calorie limit for the day. She told them that they should limit calories. She also tells them that they're getting to an age where they need to start worrying about what they eat and that they should try to burn off every meal. She tells them that if they eat junk food they should do push ups or something to burn calories. She also talks about how they will see overweight kids in middle school next year and that they need to make choices to avoid being overweight.
I've talked to another mother with three kids in the same school and they confirmed that this is the way she teaches. Even the second graders are being told to count calories.
I'm absolutely livid!! I don't think kids need to worry about calories. No wonder my son has been not eating. PLEASE- feel free to give me some advice on how you would handle this. I've emailed the principal and teacher and am planning to meet with them.
Are gym teachers even allowed to give nutritional advice like this? I'm not about to allow this woman to be the trigger of my son's eating disorder. Although it's likely too late.
7
Replies
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That's really inappropriate. And judging from "having to eat nuts for dinner because she was out of calories" she's also completely clueless (nuts tending to be high in calories).
I'd be kicking up a stink about it, personally.50 -
On the one hand, I see where the teacher is coming from. Childhood obesity is at epidemic levels in the US, and will likely lead to sharp increases in the levels of obesity-related illnesses in years to come. She wants to do her part to head that off.
On the other, this is not only too early to be lecturing children on calorie counting (second grade? Seriously?) but telling the kids will do no good. The ones who need the message are the parents, who are much better placed than anyone else to set their children's eating habits along a healthy path. And then, there's the occasional student like your son who will be positively harmed by it. If she really wants to help she should be hosting after-school events for the parents. But that's more work, and you're not a captive audience like her students are. And then, yes, she's a tad clueless.
I think you're handling it correctly from the school end. If you get no cooperation from the principal or teacher, take it to the school board. You might also want to think about counseling for your son, who may already be showing signs of BDD if he sees himself as fat. Best case, he's just parroting what he's hearing from that teacher, so let's hope it's that.25 -
She should be speaking with the people who purchase and prepare the food - the parents10
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Go get er! ... make a stink to the school, even the Parent Teacher's Association and file a complaint with the teacher uniion in your state ... but only after you get some more proof ... so start with the principal anda face to face with the teacher.7
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Depends on the curriculum taught. Many PE teachers need to teach health and are told what to teach. I would look into your area's program of studies before complaining. It could be the teacher is just doing their job. If not, I would make your family's situation known so she can take it into account. Otherwise, I think teaching calorie counting and portion control is not really a bad thing. CI<CO
ETA I am a parent too. If something is being taught that you want your child excluded from, like sex ed, you can do so in most places. But I am not sure anything was taught wrong in this case.10 -
As an elementary teacher, I feel bad for all of the very overweight children I see in class and on the school yard. I can't help but wonder what they are eating at home to be so overweight. They play and move at recess, so it is not all physical activity. I think some parents need to wake up and realize they are feeding their kids into early obesity. Unfortunately, kids are powerless over the food choices parents make for them. They don't shop or choose what goes on the table, in the fridge, in the pantry, or in the lunch box. Though I would never tell children to count calories, I would discuss, in a general not targeted to any child in particular kind of way, why healthy food choices matter and what foods are more nutritious if it came up in content or conversation. I'm sure this teacher is reacting to the large numbers of overweight children on elementary school campuses today. I don't have a source to quote, but I know I have read many times about the rise of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in children. I just feel bad for the kids.
25 -
Go talk to the teacher and then, if necessary, the principal. She should not be telling kids to count calories but you need to go straight to the source to know if she really is or not.4
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I totally agree that kids should learn about nutrition and making healthy eating choices. However, I don't think that elementary aged children need to worry about counting calories. And for her to tell the kids that she was hungry and only ate nuts because she reached her calorie limit for the day is completely inappropriate ... what message is that sending to the kids? Don't eat when you're hungry because you might get fat? I feel like she has her own issues that she's projecting onto these kids. They don't need to hear about her starving herself becuse she's worried about getting fat...21
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I'm on the teacher's side, making the kids aware of eating at healthy calorie levels and that when they over eat junk food, there will be consequences. It's more likely your boy is sensitive because of how mom and dad are about food, not because of what the gym teacher said.26
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Woah theo166... sensitive about how mom and Dad are about food? I said that I was bulimic mAny years ago. And my ex husband was. I don't count calories, I don't talk about weight. Don't diet .. I don't restrict food for myself or my kids. I do eat healthy but I certainly don't act in any way toward food that would make my son self worried about calories . His teacher is the one talking about going to bed hungry becuse she reached her calorie limit.25
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My son is thin and I want him to start being more aware of nutrition and introduced him to MFP so he can get an idea of what he is eating and how too track calories and gain weight and start working out to build muscle. He is 13. From what you said about the teacher, I'd be surprised if she meant any harm at all. Maybe she was referring to the obese children without realizing these kids are not making the distinction and need to increase calories. Teachers are always in a tough situation to answer children's concerns about politics, religion, and now diets. They are kinda on the front lines dealing with these issues everyday with all of our children so I wouldn't fly off the handle. I think kids need to learn more about this subject but maybe in High School and more about proper nutrition. My son does not eat at school because I was shocked that they were enforcing a low carb diet so if he wanted more bread instead of meat, he had to go hungry. This is a sensitive topic because every family influences their children's diet and we are plant based and my son chose to stop eating meat and dairy voluntarily. I imagine our dilemma is far more unfavorable until we are given an equal amount of meals and options at schools. I totally understand the teacher's point of view because my wife is a teacher but like I said, maybe wait until high school so children can digest this material without being paranoid about it...but kids kinda mimic the parent's behavior. I know because my kid can't even mention his vegan or plant-based diet without kids who know very little about nutrition just repeat whatever they hear their parents say about it. So he stopped mentioning it and they actually want to try his delicous smelling and looking food he takes without even knowing..go figure. It's all programming.8
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Depends on the curriculum taught. Many PE teachers need to teach health and are told what to teach. I would look into your area's program of studies before complaining. It could be the teacher is just doing their job. If not, I would make your family's situation known so she can take it into account. Otherwise, I think teaching calorie counting and portion control is not really a bad thing. CI<CO
ETA I am a parent too. If something is being taught that you want your child excluded from, like sex ed, you can do so in most places. But I am not sure anything was taught wrong in this case.
You don't think suggesting that a dinner of nuts is an appropriate solution to having already hit your calories for the day is wrong? To me it sounds like someone who is so clueless she has absolutely no business providing advice on weight control.16 -
lynn_glenmont wrote: »Depends on the curriculum taught. Many PE teachers need to teach health and are told what to teach. I would look into your area's program of studies before complaining. It could be the teacher is just doing their job. If not, I would make your family's situation known so she can take it into account. Otherwise, I think teaching calorie counting and portion control is not really a bad thing. CI<CO
ETA I am a parent too. If something is being taught that you want your child excluded from, like sex ed, you can do so in most places. But I am not sure anything was taught wrong in this case.
You don't think suggesting that a dinner of nuts is an appropriate solution to having already hit your calories for the day is wrong? To me it sounds like someone who is so clueless she has absolutely no business providing advice on weight control.
No. If she hit her calorie goal, and was making the point about not eating more calories than you need, then no. She should have talked about how she decided to exceed her caloric goal and ate a full dinner instead?
I have had nuts for a meal in the past. Seems to be a healthy meal to me....
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Did you confirm what she's really saying? I'm wondering if it's possible she's saying something else and the kids are misunderstanding. That doesn't mean it's their fault - she might be communicating poorly.3
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I would love some input and advice from other parents.. or anyone who has an opinion on this subject!
So, for the past few months I have been very concerned about my 11 year old son. Hes already very thin and has been talking about how fat he is. He has been eating much less, wanting to eat low carb bread over the whole wheat white bread he normally eats, and the last time I had lunch with him in his school he only ate 2 bites of his food. He said he was saving his appetite for popcorn in class.
A little background about me ( was bulimic and anorexic for 12 years) His biological father also was bulimic. So I already know there is a good chance my kids will have eating disorders.
The other day he told me that his gym teacher has been talking about calorie counting. She told the kids that she had to eat nuts for dinner even though she was hungry because she reached her calorie limit for the day. She told them that they should limit calories. She also tells them that they're getting to an age where they need to start worrying about what they eat and that they should try to burn off every meal. She tells them that if they eat junk food they should do push ups or something to burn calories. She also talks about how they will see overweight kids in middle school next year and that they need to make choices to avoid being overweight.
I've talked to another mother with three kids in the same school and they confirmed that this is the way she teaches. Even the second graders are being told to count calories.
I'm absolutely livid!! I don't think kids need to worry about calories. No wonder my son has been not eating. PLEASE- feel free to give me some advice on how you would handle this. I've emailed the principal and teacher and am planning to meet with them.
Are gym teachers even allowed to give nutritional advice like this? I'm not about to allow this woman to be the trigger of my son's eating disorder. Although it's likely too late.
There are some very concerning things the teacher is reported as telling these young children. She is not giving developmentally appropriate information nor is she saying correct healthy things. If someone posted her advice to adults on this board about exercising if they eat junk food to burn it off or trying to burn off every meal they would be shut down. This does not sound like an actual health curriculum but her own messed up diet ideas. Now young kids can easily misunderstand but that is why you need to be careful what you say to them when you are talking about stuff like this.
I would definitely speak to your child and correct the information as well as speak to the teacher and principal about what is being said and the impact it is having on kids.9 -
I just....lololol. We have a 300+ reply thread where people talk about the need to start educating people from a young age on CICO. Now we have someone do it, and a bunch of butthurt ensues. This is the real problem with trying to fix things from the current status quo. There's always gonna be one kid who takes it too far, and suddenly it'll be the curriculum at fault.41
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I found an old primary school physical health book at the historical Society, dated 1918. It warned children to be mindful of choosing healthy foods, to not eat too many sweet, tasty treats, discussed calories, and suggested various physical activities to promote health and prevent being overweight.
What surprised me most is that this advice was not very different than what the curriculum teaches today at the school where I teach.17 -
I think education on healthy eating is essential in schools to help build that foundation that many kids miss out on.
That being said, someone who has apparently run out of calories and has to "skip dinner" is a warning sign.
Being seemingly being unaware of the high calorific value of nuts is also a warning sign.
Blanket telling kids to "limit calories" without explaining energy balances, minimum intakes etc. is a warning sign.
She should not be teaching kids about calories.21
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