Re: Children's Obesity Epidemic

I believe the breakdown of the traditional family has affected the way children are brought up. Everything is so expensive, both parents have to work or you cannot have a home.

Instead of mom or grandma looking after the kids, TV and other children have become the guardians.

Instead of family dinners, frozen dinners or MkDees triple burgers with cheese and super size fries with a 6 gallon coke have become the norm.

The fridge is always open, no more "you can't eat anything before dinner" - now pizzas are delivered 2 for the price of 1 as an after school snack.

We had to work at home had chores and no matter where we went, we had to help.

We were not allowed to sleep past 8:00 am and that was on our sleep in day.

And at school: we had 2 recesses and a 2 hour lunch to WALK home.

At recesses (TWO) we looked forward to screaming and playing basketball, tag, or any other games we thought of and there were many. (Ususally introduced by the school staff.)

Now: I was appalled to go to my son's 4th grade school, and the teacher said to me:

Oh, he's always in trouble.

me: Really? Why? What is he up to?

teacher: He talks, he fidgets; won't stop.

me: really? (Turn to ask why he'd interrupt class.)

teacher: Oh no, during LUNCH.

me: during LUNCH?

teacher: yes, lunch is silent, quiet time, they cannot move from their seats (They do not have any recess)

me: ??????? ,[insert silent scream]!!!!!!!!!! (remember my crazy ACTIVE lunches & recesses.)

They do not ALLOW the children to run outside or play, or talk.

Kids now serve themselves FIRST, we had to wait until all were seated.

Our snacks were fruit, now I've seen kids eat a half gallon of ice cream.

One chicken fed the whole family. Always accompanied by vegetables, soup, fruit, and follwed by salad and juice.

Now, one kid eats one half a chicken!

I had a babysitter once, we ordered a 10 pc chicken dinner, we each had one pc. The babysitter ate the remaining 6 pieces. (plus the rest of the food that was served)

Not trying to sound somber, just commenting on some observations....

MadArt (ist)













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