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Elementary School Gym teachers telling kids to restrict calories!
Calimom10
Posts: 6 Member
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 -
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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.
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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 -
Parenting is difficult. There is so much crap 'the world' will try to impress upon our kids.
As parents we can combat this by being a stronger influence to our children.
Irrespective of the teacher and any boundaries, given the strong family history of ED and your concerns about your son's weight and developing attitude towards food it might be worthwhile considering early intervention via a child psychiatrist or eating disorder centre.4 -
I wouldn't think she was giving appropriate healthy eating advice to adults, and her "advice" is even less suitable for children, who have very different nutritional needs. As it is, I find that sensible, nuanced advice on nutrition given to an eight-year-old will be interpreted in a terribly black and white way ("if I EVER eat Pizza, I will become fat" style), because that's what children do.
Adults at a healthy weight they're satisfied with need to keep their weight stable, but children, are, er... growing, and so certainly do not need to be burning off every meal with extra physical exertion. Calorie restriction without medical supervision could lead to nutritional deficiencies, potentially with lifelong effects.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/how-many-calories-do-children-need.aspx
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HeliumIsNoble wrote: »I wouldn't think she was giving appropriate healthy eating advice to adults, and her "advice" is even less suitable for children, who have very different nutritional needs. As it is, I find that sensible, nuanced advice on nutrition given to an eight-year-old will be interpreted in a terribly black and white way ("if I EVER eat Pizza, I will become fat" style), because that's what children do.
Adults at a healthy weight they're satisfied with need to keep their weight stable, but children, are, er... growing, and so certainly do not need to be burning off every meal with extra physical exertion. Calorie restriction without medical supervision could lead to nutritional deficiencies, potentially with lifelong effects.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/how-many-calories-do-children-need.aspx
Great post.
Slightly off topic I know but I'm amazed by the values.
I'm a father of two girls, but even so I've never even considered their calorific needs (and I'm not going to start now - we're happy with their intuitive eating) but it's interesting to note that (not mentioning any names here) there are grown men posting on these boards that they routinely eat less than the recommended requirements of a 7 year old girl!
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Believe me, the same thing passes through my head every time I see that kind of post. Still, it's a kind of refreshing dieting insanity. I started using this forum recently (in addition to the actual calorie counting database), because I was sick of women on another forum telling me I couldn't possibly need more than 1200-1300 calories, because that's all they needed.StealthHealth wrote: »HeliumIsNoble wrote: »I wouldn't think she was giving appropriate healthy eating advice to adults, and her "advice" is even less suitable for children, who have very different nutritional needs. As it is, I find that sensible, nuanced advice on nutrition given to an eight-year-old will be interpreted in a terribly black and white way ("if I EVER eat Pizza, I will become fat" style), because that's what children do.
Adults at a healthy weight they're satisfied with need to keep their weight stable, but children, are, er... growing, and so certainly do not need to be burning off every meal with extra physical exertion. Calorie restriction without medical supervision could lead to nutritional deficiencies, potentially with lifelong effects.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/how-many-calories-do-children-need.aspx
Great post.
Slightly off topic I know but I'm amazed by the values.
I'm a father of two girls, but even so I've never even considered their calorific needs (and I'm not going to start now - we're happy with their intuitive eating) but it's interesting to note that (not mentioning any names here) there are grown men posting on these boards that they routinely eat less than the recommended requirements of a 7 year old girl!
Check out the needs for teenagers. It's so much higher than popularly credited.3 -
A quote for the ages: "... there are grown men posting on these boards that they routinely eat less than the recommended requirements of a 7 year old girl!" @StealthHealth11
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I am shocked if she is really telling the kids they need to try to burn off every meal with exercise. Hopefully that is not what she is telling them. I already question the whole issue of teaching kids this young to count calories, but if she is giving them wrong information like "You need to exercise to burn off every meal," that's going to be extremely detrimental.6
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OP, it's worth getting to the bottom of this, as stated it is worrying, but from experience with my kids I can say that "what my kids say the teacher said and what the teacher actually said are not always the same thing"
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JeromeBarry1 wrote: »A quote for the ages: "... there are grown men posting on these boards that they routinely eat less than the recommended requirements of a 7 year old girl!" @StealthHealth
To be fair though, said seven year old is growing, in bones, organs, skeletal muscle, everything. Said grown men are trying to go the opposite direction, most preferring to lose primarily adipose tissue, and only need enough calories to maintain said said bones, organs, etc. while working to undo years of excess consumption.
That being said, much like many people here, children all vary. Not just in their caloric needs, but in their hunger signals, satiety response, etc. This is how we have kids who are within their healthy range, and kids who are like Captain Potato and weigh 300+ lbs. by age eight. Pretending that it's somehow uncalled for to begin the education early is absurd. I will agree though, if what the child says the teacher said is accurate, the lady could use a bit of dressing up in her examples, even if she isn't incorrect. A lot of people will use a small amount of nuts before bed, due to gastric emptying timing of a food that is primarily fats and fiber.5 -
^^true. Growing requires XS energy.0
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Education is key, and the earlier children are taught, the better.
There needs to be a consensus though, between the parents and school authorities, on how it is taught. This teacher is clearly out of line and you are right to be upset, and it is good that you are meeting with the principal and teacher.
If it were my child, I would seek counseling for him. You say he is very thin and not eating much. There is a problem beyond what the gym teacher said.
BTW, gym teachers taught health when I was in school and my daughter had health classes with her gym teachers too.5
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