Expressing Opinions

The New York Times and Washington Post are running news stories on obese children and the time they spend on the computer and watching television. Researchers studied overweight children who watched TV or played computer games for at least 14 hours a week. They found 16 percent of children ages 6 to 19 years old are overweight, a 45 percent increase in one decade. Don’t blame kids for being fat or their lifestyle choices. If you are looking for a place to find cause you need not look any further than the parents.

On of the statements in the New York Times’ article struck a sour note with me:

“Using technology to modify television viewing eliminates parental vigilance needed to enforce family rules and reduces the disciplinary action needed if a child exceeds his or her sedentary behavior limits,” the authors concluded.

What ever happened to a parent being a parent and making the mature choices? Is it too hard or too time consuming for today’s self centered parent to put their children first instead of themselves?

How can you expect children to not be fat when their parents are obese TV remote control wielding couch potatoes. This study only leaves me with questions. Why don’t we hear about the doctors studying the parents behavior in these studies of obese children? Have you ever noticed if the parents are obese the majority of the time the children are obese? Are these parents using the television and computer as baby sitting devices? I think if you want healthy children you need to have responsible parents living healthy lifestyles and by doing so the parents are healthy role models for their children.

There is always someone or something to blame. Don’t blame technology for obesity. Let’s try being accountable. Hold the parent responsible for providing the poor food choices, poor living environment (too much TV and computer time), and failing to live an active healthy lifestyle as a role model for children to follow. Parents need to get of their fat asses and take responsibility for the weight issues they are putting on their children. Maybe then America’s waistline will shrink.

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