Obesity Discussion Forums

[leesmee]

Hi. My name is Leigh Parker. I come from New Zealand, so I'm a kiwi (which is a bird - not a fruit!).

I am interested in helping with the fight against Childhood Obesity.

Since arriving in America 6 months ago I have become increasingly aware of the obesity epidemic in adults and kids. The epidemic is evident back home, what I have noticed in America seems to be just a couple years ahead of where we are at. I care about this, a lot. I want to do something about it.

I am a designer, formally a graphic designer. Graphic designers are responsible for much of the mess we are in. Graphic designers are very talented at creating advertising and packaging material that encourages folk who don't have the money to buy things that are not good for them and that they don't really need. Hence the 'formally' bit. As a designer I want to use my skills for good not evil.

I have read through countless websites and reports. I know the causes, the treatments, in fact nearly all there is to know on Childhood Obesity. I feel like I am missing something. What I want to know is...

What is possible?

Looking forward to starting the conversation with a few members.

Cheers,
Leigh

[Chrisydj]

Well...anything is possible. The best way to beat childhood obesity is for parents to stop taking the easy way out. We need to stop and take the time to cook our kids healthy meals and to exercise with our kids. I myself have stopped buying soda pop and pizza. No candy or cookies are allowed in the house. We will have cake and ice cream for birthdays but that is about it. My kids are required to exercise aleast 30 min a day every other day. It isnt our children's fault they are overweight. It is ours. We as the adults need to take responsibility and put a stop to the over eating and the eating unhealthy foods and the lack of exercise. I'm looking at a stationary bike that the kids will have to pedal in order to watch tv or play video games. You hook it up to the tv and if they dont pedal it turns off.

[leesmee]

Hi Chrisydj. Thanks for your response. The bike concept sounds fantastic! Does it power there TV also? ;-) What do you mean by parents taking the easy way out? What are the breakpoints?

[Obesity Discussion]

The biggest issue/influence are the parents. Too many just throw junky food at their kids because it's convenient and easy. They don't take their kids out enough in my opinion or get them involved in sports, and instead are content with them sitting in front of a computer, video game or TV all day.

The schools/government are also partially to blame because the food they feed the kids in the cafeterias and snack machines are frequently very unhealthy, and due to lack of funding, programs like physical education get cut out or reduced. In addition, because school teachers and principals are so hell bent on getting the maximum standardized test scores out of their kids, they are willing to cut away kids' recess because it gives the kids more time to study.....well recess is one of the times they exercise.

Don't get me started on television/magazine/billboard advertising of junk food to kids....

[leesmee]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

The biggest issue/influence are the parents. Too many just throw junky food at their kids because it's convenient and easy. They don't take their kids out enough in my opinion or get them involved in sports, and instead are content with them sitting in front of a computer, video game or TV all day.

I am most interested in designing for prevention and I have been very curious as to what a parents role is. What are the factors that make a parent choose convenience and ease? What makes a parent content with letting a child lead a sedentary lifestyle? What are the barriers? What sparks change?

[vernitaearles]

I think what can spark change is simply trying to live a more active lifestyle. I think by encouraging physical interaction between the parents and children through media outlets, perhaps change just might take place. Obesity is an epidemic, and people recognize this. I think we just need more backing to help spread this new way of thinking.

[MikeB]

The key is to exercise with your kids, don't be the fat guy sitting on the couch telling your fat kids to do pushups and situps. Make sure to make it a family event and fun. Eat good natural foods and avoid all the processed food, drinks and white flour etc.

[Chrisydj]

Nature walks are always a fun way to get the family active. Before you go for a nature walk look up some of the local plant life or animals and see how many you can spot on you walk or take a camera and let the kids take pictures of the ones they find. Or collect leaves from the different types of plants and trees and when you get back you and the kids can make a kind of scrap book. It will not only be a fun way to exercise with the whole family but can be educational as well.