Obesity in Children

[fishpoopoo]

i'm sure heredity plays a role in obesity - but I think diet and exercise (or lack thereof) are the biggest influences. obviously, there are the relatively few cases where really profound obesity arises from medical issues.

[Backbeach Jake]

A lot of kids are fed to shut them up. If they're eating then they're not screaming. Many parents are very permissive, anything the kid wants it gets. Food , toys just about anything but parenting. Both parents working and feel guilty that they've let someone else raise their children (daycare) and lavish food and gifts on their kids to make it up. As a result, you have overweight kids who's thumbs are exercised by video games.. My.02..

[fishpoopoo]

let's not forget all those evil parents who neglect their kids by going .... fishing. yes, you fishing makes your kids fat.

[fishsmith]

Originally Posted by Bassturbed

let's not forget all those evil parents who neglect their kids by going .... fishing. yes, you fishing makes your kids fat.

Yes but when you see them again in the late fall it's amazing how much they grow.

[FishermanTim]

I will admit that there are a percentage of kids that will be genetically "coded" for obesity, but that percentage is low.
The majority of kids have become "enabled" by their parents because (as stated earlier) they ask the kids what they want to eat.
I don't have kids, but I do have nieces and nephews, and I am ALWAYS giving them fruit and veggies to snack on.
(This is partly because of my own changed eating habits.)
We live on a cul-de-sac, and the kids always want to go out and play.

Unfortunately, most parents either don't have the time and energy after a hard day at work, or they assume the kids will amuse themselves.
As for the hard day at work theory, I find that if I get home and my brother is there with his kids throwing a baseball around, I have no problem getting my glove and joining them. (Remember, even as adults, exercise is good.)
As of them amusing themselves, if you leave pre-teens alone they will probably get into some trouble (breaking something) or getting hurt. That's why when the kids are out of the yard, there will be an adult to "keep an eye on them".
finally, as for the parent(s) that leave their kids home to go fishing, why not take them along as they get older, or start them off with freshwater tactics. (My nieces and nephews LOVE to go fishing with Uncle Timmy.)
Well, that's my .02

[Squid kids Dad]

Easy to say if you have never had kids,both parents work full time ect..Its harder than you think

[wheresmy50]

Fair enough SKD, but there are the same percentage of households where both parents work now as in 1987 (http://www.bls.gov/cps/wlf-table23-2006.pdf), and the number of obese kids has skyrocketed in that time.

Also, not all working parents are working for the same "reason". Sometimes both parents work because that's necessary to provide a roof over their heads and food on the table, and sometimes both parents work to have 2 new SUVs and a half million dollar house. Perhaps in the latter case, they could re-focus their priorities.

[Skip N]

I had the worst diet when i was a kid, BUT i was always active so it never affected me. Stay active, and you wont be a fatty! Same goes for adults, walk around town and look how fat our society is. Its rather sickening!