Babble

Thin is in, and even kids know it. How could they not? The messages are undeniable, and they're everywhere, even in their own homes. After all, kids are fatter than ever before, right? And there's been a huge outpouring of time, energy, and money into programs to save our fat kids from getting...

Oh, what delights have I been missing out on in spurning TV and the cereal aisle at the grocery store? Apparently, a lot of them. Dinosaur eggs that hatch in oatmeal? Gross. Who came up with that one? Fruit snacks that leave a tattoo on the tongue? C'mon, people, weren't you satisfied with Pop...

Back when we were kids, the "fat kid" was the exception. And unless the "fat kid" was also the "smart kid" or the "funny kid", he was also the kid with no friends. Which is a lot of peer pressure on any kid. And likely it either made those fat kids slim down eventually...

Me: Hello, Guilt Department? Could I have an update on things I'm doing that ruin my kid's life? I seem to have forgotten a few. Guilt Department: Oh yes, we're always happy to oblige. Are you pregnant? Because there are extra Guilt Points if you are... Me: No, nothing like that, I'm...

Yikes. I think all of us can relate to the experience of the Fat Kid, ostracized by peers or alone in a corner or overcompensating by being extra smart or extra funny. Some of us were the Fat Kid. And none of us really wants OUR kids to be the Fat Kid. Now there's a comprehensive new study about...

Yep, I know this is going to come s a surprise to you, but guess what? That's right, preschoolers who drink sugary drinks like sodas and fruit drinks (as opposed to 100% juice, which seems okay) are fatter than kids who don't . Earth-shattering! I know! Yet another Canadian study looked at kids ages...

The media is great about telling us all the reasons why our kids are fat, but when it comes to giving parents and kids actual tools to use to help this problem, things fall a little short. Oh sure, there's vague talk about "playing outside more" and "eating better", obvious advice to those who are already...

I know, I know. It's yet another study about why kids are fat these days. [sigh] I'm beginning to wonder if anybody really knows? Is it fast-food commercials, watching TV itself, NOT watching TV, school lunches, what, what, WHAT???! Theory du jour : sleep. Actually, I can relate to this one. I'm appalled...

My older son, who just turned 11, is 5'4". That's tall for his age, way tall. He also weighs somewhere between 80-100 lbs. He knows these statistics not just because kids know these things (which they generally don't), but because he was measured today by a nurse at his school. While I take a moment...