Bill Clinton Chimes In On Childhood Obesity

Everything Makes Kids Fat

Strollerderby — Sun, 06 May 2007 18:52:42 GMT

With the release of a new study linking fathers' parenting styles to childhood obesity it has become

The Parenting Buzz : The Evils of Childhood Obesity : ClipGator.com

The Parenting Buzz : The Evils of Childhood Obesity : ClipGator.com — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 19:52:05 GMT

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Strollerderby Finishline: Parents Are Insane

Strollerderby — Sat, 21 Apr 2007 17:09:32 GMT

Larry Birkhead pimps his daughter. Barbie has her own car. A real car. And Alec Baldwin ... well, do

re: Bill Clinton Chimes In On Childhood Obesity

Flippy — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:47:40 GMT

School must be a lot different than when I was a kid (I'm 42, and don't have kids, just nieces & nephews), because we rarely had extra treats at school. Maybe some candy on Valentine's Day, but I don't remember a lot birthday parties where parents brought stuff in. Maybe once in a while we had cupcakes, but it was rare. I wouldn't want that taken away from kids either. I think little parties are nice, even though I was a bitter summer birthday kid.

I think it's probably more important to make sure the kids get plenty of exercise. I've read where they've eliminated PE at some schools, which should be a crime. I also think they should be taught more than the food pyramid when it comes to healthy eating. Maybe they could learn what constitutes healthy meals. Someone should figure out how to make that kind of learning fun. I'll bet the South Park guys could do it. They could get the kids to pay attention. :) Instead of the really boring health class that we got in 5th, 7th, and 10th grades, maybe they should have a healthy living class that incorporates food choices, exercise, and things to help with stress. There are a lot of talented people in the country/world, they should put together some programs for kids that won't bore them.

re: Bill Clinton Chimes In On Childhood Obesity

MelissaS — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 13:39:54 GMT

But I guess I don't want all of that taken from kids. Maybe less of it but I like that kids have cookies or cupcakes for their birthday. It's a treat.

I really don't think the issue is entirely one about food, though that's part of it. If kids (and adults) were better able to live a balanced life as far as diet and exercise, those treats and days of empty calories would matter much much less in the overall scheme of things.

How to do that is still something I'm not sure about.

re: Bill Clinton Chimes In On Childhood Obesity

Gina — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:57:25 GMT

Food is everywhere at school. Even with the wellness initiative, I dont think many realize how much junk kids are given.

Teachers are deciding to give or coordinate daily snacks. (maybe becauase many kids dont eat breakfast)

THere are still candy rewards.

There are birthday cupcakes, cookies and other treats which cannot possibly comply with the wellness initiative..

And then there are classroom parties where kids are given a days' worth of calories in treats and take home goodie bags.

Even if you send your child with a healthy lunch they are likely to consume many more empty calories over the course of their days, weeks and years at school.

re: Bill Clinton Chimes In On Childhood Obesity

flippy — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:06:50 GMT

Gee, maybe he's interested in it because of that wee little heart operation he had. Maybe he'd like it if other people didn't end up going down the same path.

Kids spend a lot of time at school, so why not address what kids eat at school? If it wasn't available in junior high, I wouldn't have chosen a burrito, brownie, and a Coke for lunch. Sure, the choice was mine, but I was a kid with some cash and I picked something easy that I knew I liked. Luckily, I was a very very active kid (if only I was the same as an adult), so it didn't do any damage to me, but less active kids who chose the same lunch would've ended up gaining unhealthy weight from that crappy meal.

re: Bill Clinton Chimes In On Childhood Obesity

prescott — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:45:17 GMT

Yep, when I think of healthy eating I certainly think of Bill Clinton. Sheesh, even his wife is still making Dunkin' Donuts jokes. Were the late night talk show hosts short on material so they asked Bill to do them a favor?

re: Bill Clinton Chimes In On Childhood Obesity

Grammy — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:26:23 GMT

Why is he warning the schools? It is the parents job to raise their children. We are ending up with so much of their job that we are having trouble keeping up with the teaching.