I hope this helps the child obesity issues.

[columbine]

There's also a lot of energy going into creating safe places for kids to play, so they can have some fun without getting recruited by criminals or hit by cars. Sports are fine for kids who can actually make the team, but people are starting to build more playgrounds for the kids who'd otherwise just end up playing video games.

Love, Columbine

[wombat2u2004]

There's also a lot of energy going into creating safe places for kids to play, so they can have some fun without getting recruited by criminals or hit by cars. Sports are fine for kids who can actually make the team, but people are starting to build more playgrounds for the kids who'd otherwise just end up playing video games.

Love, Columbine

Well, thats a very good idea. After all....those kids are the future.
Wom

[jackie]

I don't think it will make a difference unless parents make the changes in their children's life.

[finn's mom]

I think every little bit helps. Baby steps. It's going to take a lot more than that to stop the childhood obesity epidemic, obviously, but I don't see how it can hurt.

[Catty1]

It's a part of the solution, anyway. Short of a boycott of all the junk stuff.

And parents should be changing their own lifestyle habits...that's the best way to change a child's health.

I battled overweight all my life - my mom was healthy, but I followed in my dad's "foodsteps". It was a hard training to overcome...ironically, it was easier for longer after he died...though I would gladly have another 30 pounds if I could have my dad back.

He smartened up after a mild heart attack at 62.

[IRescue452]

Behavior is only part of obesity. Why don't people get this through their heads?

I have three obese mice, American brindles carrying the red gene. American mice average 40g at adulthood and these mice are 70g. Do you know why? Because all three carry the well-known gene for obesity. The obesity gene is carried with the red coat gene of mice. It can be controlled by breeding out the gene alltogether, but once a mouse carries it, it will be obese. The mice can run all day on a wheel and eat a limited diet, and still they are obese.

Scientists have isolated such obesity genes in mice and rats, but nobody will even look at that as an explanation for humans.

I see people who eat nothing but junk food and watch hours of tv that are thin. And people who eat fast food several times a week who are thin. And I also see people who exercise, who eat right, and do everything "right" and are fat.

There's more to it than a few grams of sugar.

If people are so obsessed about being thin and having thin children, we can test the embryos and selectively abort kids who are going to be fat. Trust me, scientists could determine that pretty darn accurately if it weren't a moral issue.

[Catty1]

I read a number of years ago that genetic factors in human obesity accounted for about 5% of the population. That can be a pretty significant number.

It seems that in the last several years, the rate of obesity is increasing. Can that be attributed purely to genetic reasons?

Junk food and fast food are unhealthy for slim people too. Slim does NOT mean healthy. Crappy food is crappy food.

When I started substituting the concept of 'healthy' as opposed to 'thin', the picture got bigger and life became a bit easier.

[jackie]

Behavior is only part of obesity. Why don't people get this through their heads?

I have three obese mice, American brindles carrying the red gene. American mice average 40g at adulthood and these mice are 70g. Do you know why? Because all three carry the well-known gene for obesity. The obesity gene is carried with the red coat gene of mice. It can be controlled by breeding out the gene alltogether, but once a mouse carries it, it will be obese. The mice can run all day on a wheel and eat a limited diet, and still they are obese.

Scientists have isolated such obesity genes in mice and rats, but nobody will even look at that as an explanation for humans.

I see people who eat nothing but junk food and watch hours of tv that are thin. And people who eat fast food several times a week who are thin. And I also see people who exercise, who eat right, and do everything "right" and are fat.

There's more to it than a few grams of sugar.

If people are so obsessed about being thin and having thin children, we can test the embryos and selectively abort kids who are going to be fat. Trust me, scientists could determine that pretty darn accurately if it weren't a moral issue.

Yes, some people are genetically inclined to be overweight, but not such a large percentage of the population. Almost every overweight person I know complains of a slow metabolism or genetics, then I sit and watch them suck back 2 red bulls, or a "healthy" salad loaded with cheese, ham, and dressing. People need to start taking control of their lives and waistlines.

I feel so much pity for children who have no choice but to eat what their parents put in front of them, grow up not knowing basic nutrition, and have their health compromised.

[catnapper]

I guess Trix will have to come up with a new slogan... "Silly rabbit, Trix is for kids" just doesn't fit their new marketing plan. I was wondering why they changed their shape back to the way it was when I was a kid, instead of the fruit shape.

Childhood obesity is awful, but really, its the parents who BUY this stuff for their kids. Yes, I am well aware kids respond hugely to marketing. My nephew could barely say mommy and daddy when the Disney film Madagascar came out. Don't ya know that thanks to all the marketing on commercials (including things like Happy Meals) my nephew could say "Madagascar" perfectly? Ultimately, it comes down to the parent buying the food and putting it on their plate (or in their cereal bowls). Nobody wants to be a parent anymore. They want to be their child's friend.