They tried to supersize my Mom
My Mother told me that, when she was a child, everyone thought she was too skinny. She was constantly told things such as “girl, you need to eat more”, “look at how skinny you are” or “you don’t have anything to eat at home?” would not have any effect on her anymore. As a child this is something difficult to live with and my grandparents decided to send her to some kind of rehabilitation camp. The plan was to get her to gain weight and, of course, it did not work. But when I look at my mother’s pictures: she looks just fine. This was 50 years ago.
Many years later, unfortunately I went through the same nagging. All my childhood and my adult life, I have been teased by people. And now, what we consider normal is even bigger than it used to be.
Look who’s talking
Fat people! Many fat people. You may not see them because here, in the United States, they are a majority and became the average to be compared against.Someone lean and in shape definitely looks skinny compared to the average couch-potato; it’s no wonder SUVs became popular as people can’t fit comfortably in normal cars anymore.
The fat donut junkie will keep her obese kid quiet in front of the TV by stuffing his mouth with potato chips and I’m going to look like a skinny bitch to her, but at least my arteries are doing fine. Thank you.
What’s happening!
Over 15% of American children are currently considered obese, and the number is growing. In Australia, they have reached 20-25%. In Germany, 34 per cent of all children under 14 are overweight!
The problem is related to our sedentary lives. Twenty years ago children walked to school. Today, parents will drive them even if they live a few blocks away, using any possible excuse, from kidnapping to the weather. A generation ago, students got home from school and ran outside to see where their friends were. Today, they run to their computers or iPods and see who is on MSN or MySpace. In the past, television had only a few channels and if nothing was of interest, kids chose to go outside. Today, they have over 100 channels to choose from and are likely to find something to watch instead of getting fresh air and exercise.
Our children may be the first generation in history to die before us due to lifestyle-related health problems!
The problem is related to our sedentary lives. Twenty years ago children walked to school. Today, parents will drive them even if they live a few blocks away, using any possible excuse, from kidnapping to the weather. A generation ago, students got home from school and ran outside to see where their friends were. Today, they run to their computers or iPods and see who is on MSN or MySpace. In the past, television had only a few channels and if nothing was of interest, kids chose to go outside. Today, they have over 100 channels to choose from and are likely to find something to watch instead of getting fresh air and exercise.
What are we doing about it?
The short answer is: the wrong thing! We are, once again, trying to find a lazy shortcut out of it and instead of facing our responsibilities as parents, we ask the government to find an answer.
The U.S. has instructed schools to remove soda and junk food machines to reduce sugar consumption for the 2006/2007 school year. Some schools have even turned to organic foods in the hot lunch program. The food companies are now trying to replace soda machines with water and juice products.
German Consumer Minister Renate Kuenast unveiled plans for diet and exercise programs for the nation’s young people The plans encompass possible restrictions on advertising and as well as changing the availability of fast-food snacks and sweets.
But can’t we simply protect ourselves and select better food?
Are we either too dumb or lazy, and need government intervention to regulate what we eat?
The answer is pretty sad. In the meantime, people can call me skinny, but in reality… I’m just
The U.S. has instructed schools to remove soda and junk food machines to reduce sugar consumption for the 2006/2007 school year. Some schools have even turned to organic foods in the hot lunch program. The food companies are now trying to replace soda machines with water and juice products.
German Consumer Minister Renate Kuenast unveiled plans for diet and exercise programs for the nation’s young people The plans encompass possible restrictions on advertising and as well as changing the availability of fast-food snacks and sweets.
But can’t we simply protect ourselves and select better food?
Are we either too dumb or lazy, and need government intervention to regulate what we eat?
The answer is pretty sad. In the meantime, people can call me skinny, but in reality… I’m just
healthy
