Kids and nutrition

Submitted by Kelly Evenson on May 4, 2009 - 8:27pm

I was watching the news tonight when a story sparked my attention – more stores are beginning to sell plus size clothing for teenagers. My initial reaction was great! Nice, trendy clothes should be available to all people, no matter their size. What made me mad were the critics who were saying that offering plus-size clothing to teenagers pormotes obesity.
I'll be honest, I have battled with weight for most of my adult life. It isn't easy. As a teenager, I wasn't overweight, but I certainly was a size 0. I bordered more on that line of what society considers plus-size. But I found myself wishing that there were more options.
As a mother, I worry about what my daughter eats. Predisposed to having a weight problem, I limit the refined sugars and provide fruit at the end of the meal as a dessert. Cookies are rare and her diet consists of organic items when I can find them. She also eats whole grains whenever possible and juice is not even in the picture.
These are things I am doing to instill good eating habits in my child now, but let's face it. Some children are overweight. Is that good, no. Is obesity a problem among children and teenagers, yes. Do we need to do something to correct it, yes. But these teens should also have the opportunity to where clothes that fit there age. In my opinion, carrying plus size clothes no more promotes obesity than carrying XXS or a size 0 promotes an eating disorder. Most of the population is not a size 0, so why not carry clothes more of Americans can wear?
Some might think I am wrong in this opinion, and that's O.K. But I think when a store is offering girls who might ot have had a lot of options otherwise, a chance to feel better about themselves, no matter their weight, that is a good thing. We need to take better care of ourselves as a society. We need to set good examples for our children. But in the meantime, a new shirt or pair of jeans can do wonders for a person's self esteem, even if it is plus-sized.
 
 

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Kelly, I wish you would re run this blog it's very important.  We have been using canola oil for the last few years and lost weight also we don't eat out only on very rare occassions.  The ASTONISHING facts are very young children have ailments like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholestrol. They even think asthma is related to being overweight.  What that means is we are cutting their life short.  Did you ever catch the movie "Super Size Me"?  It was someone who only ate only at McDonalds ALL meals for an experiment.  He developed all kinds of ailments, even liver trouble.  Did you know if you put a cheeseburger in your car or under your couch it does not change.  It does something to your insides and with all the preservatives.  Sodium is a big problem in foods causing high blood pressure and weight gain.  It's also about preception if everyone is overweight it become the norm.  The clothes for + size people are usually prettier, and more interesting I  have noticed.

Submitted by Laharl on June 23, 2009 - 9:05am.

I think teaching a child to eat well at an early age is important. I grew up on country-style cooking, but my mother never failed to emphasize the importance of fruits and veggies.
 
But there's another crucial component to it all, I think. My brothers and I could have easily ended up being obese children, given that our meals were generally fried and smothered in gravy, but my parents did something really important. They made us go outside to play. We rode our bikes and skateboards for hours. We played tag, keep away and kickball. We ran races, we went for walks. In the summers we went swimming every day or played king of the hill on hay bails. We were always outside, and when we were too old to "play," Mom and Dad encouraged our interests in sports.
 
Too many children spend their days stuck inside. It's amazing what a simple game of tag can do.

Submitted by Stephanie Boothe on May 7, 2009 - 8:43am.

I'm with you on the clothes. I think that stores should offer up clothes of all different sizes, but they will offer up only what's going to sell.
 
I've noticed with my kids that they eat what I eat even if they are offered alternatives most of the time. I recently changed my diet and started excercising more and my daughter did the exact same thing. When we used to go to the grocery store she would get a soda pop at the end of it. When I quit drinking pop, she started getting a vitamin water at the end of the trip all on her own choosing. She also loves getting up at 5 in the morning to go for a 45-60 minute walk with her mother and I. She still loves junk food and stuff, but she's definitely trying to be healthier without much prompting from us.

Submitted by dwood87 on May 5, 2009 - 11:38am.

U are very lucky to have such an aware and intelengent child...
But from bloggin with u over the last months I know Ur a smart guy..
God bless on a good job...
Rasing a child is the most important job we can ever have...

Submitted by mminnoe on May 5, 2009 - 2:47pm.