This was a thought that actually occurred to me when I was at the park with the daughter the other day and another child complained of a back pain. Yes I was taken aback as she was all of 8 and quite plump. Her evening snack at the park usually comprises of packaged food like chips, juice, chocolates and candies. While we are going gaga over the yummy seasonal fruits these kids are oblivion and have never tasted those fruits. Ask them their favourite food and beginning with a 2 year old its white sauce pasta. My daughter is no exception to the pasta but I think the latest crop of moms do try and feed in as much nutrition as they can.
While channel surfing I also chanced on a TV chat show that discussed obesity among kids and what came as a shocker was as many as two out of three parents don’t talk to their children about their weight, fearing that it will lead to them getting an eating disorder.
Here are a few facts about a recently conducted survey:
1. More than a third of parents (37 per cent) feel that talking to their children about their weight might lower their self-esteem.
2. Two in five parents have tried to do so, but almost half of those who had an overweight or obese child said it was an ‘unhelpful experience’ for the family, the Daily Mail reported.
3. A third of all parents identified their children’s weight by looking at them or comparing them with others their age, rather than measuring it or getting it confirmed by a doctor.
4. Research shows that ‘sizing up’ a child by sight alone often results in parents of fat youngsters wrongly believing they are a healthy weight.
5. Children who have a high BMI and stay fat are more likely to have high blood pressure, cholesterol and blood insulin levels – all risk factors for heart disease – by the time they reach their mid-teens, say experts.
Read about the essential of food for children in our FOOD PYRAMID FOR KIDS HERE . You can also view healthy recipes for kids in our Food section here.Â
What is it that triggers this obesity among children today? Are the parents to blame? Are the lifestyles of parents affecting our children? Are food & beverage companies marketing their products well enough for us moms to believe that they are packed with enough of nutrients? Lots of questions!
Do share with us your response to what makes children cringe over junk food today and why are parents shy to discuss obesity among kids.
Research result source: The Daily Mail.
Image Source: The Gaurdian UK
This article was first published on Momsdiaries.in in my regular column there.
KSP Team
Janani S Koushik
