Childhood Obesity: Can't They Just Stop Eating?
There are people out there who actually think being overweight or obese is
a choice for the roughly 60% kids and adults who are dealing with it. I
guess I've also made assumptions in the past about people that might have seemed
insensitive to their situation. Like, the one I criticized for being "slow"
because he'd occasionally repeat himself. What I didn't know was that he has
a speech impediment and that was the best way for him to communicate. Once I
got to know him, I realized very quickly that he's actually quite intelligent,
and, oh... he's now the father of my child. So, lesson learned.
I recently spoke to someone who blatantly criticized Americans and their kids for "letting themselves" get so overweight that the medical community are now calling it an epidemic. "They should be ashamed of themselves. What with all the health and food information out there never before this easy to access, they still manage to stuff their faces! Where is their willpower? Why can't they control themselves better? Can't they just stop eating?" Now, I have met adults who actually have consciously chosen that path, but I doubt that's the case with children.
One assumption was unhealthy food is cheap, quick and easy to make. Well, this one does has some validity... to a point. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and meats may cost a few pennies more, but they do give you a better nutritional bang for your buck. In other words, when you eat processed, ready-to-eat meals, you will notice yourself getting hungry shortly afterward, and therefore, eat more. They are nutrient deficient. When eating the same amount of "clean", wholesome foods, you find yourself satiated for a much longer time because they are dense in nutrients. It may take a little longer to prepare, but isn't your health worth the extra few minutes? Fruits can also be enormously filling and fulfilling when eaten on their own (easy). Uh - who doesn't know this by now?
Another assumption was that healthy food is not accessible in many of the lower income neighborhoods where the highest percentage of overweight children reside. Well, that actually hasn't been the case in the past few years as more neighborhood supermarkets expand their produce section. Also, the kids in more affluent neighborhoods are quickly catching up in size. Overall, kids are still growing in size, and the sales of junk food have never been better.
Our children need to find alternative (non-food) ways to cope as children because that's what helps them feel secure, safe in their own bodies and in their perception of the world as they become adults. It empowers them to be who they want without the concerns of what others may think of them about how they look. They will make better food choices. They will enjoy physical activity. They have to because they're not "weighed-down" with food and the emotions that come with it. If they don't learn to get these basic psychological needs met through family bonding and communication, they will continue to use food because that's what they know.
I recently spoke to someone who blatantly criticized Americans and their kids for "letting themselves" get so overweight that the medical community are now calling it an epidemic. "They should be ashamed of themselves. What with all the health and food information out there never before this easy to access, they still manage to stuff their faces! Where is their willpower? Why can't they control themselves better? Can't they just stop eating?" Now, I have met adults who actually have consciously chosen that path, but I doubt that's the case with children.
One assumption was unhealthy food is cheap, quick and easy to make. Well, this one does has some validity... to a point. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and meats may cost a few pennies more, but they do give you a better nutritional bang for your buck. In other words, when you eat processed, ready-to-eat meals, you will notice yourself getting hungry shortly afterward, and therefore, eat more. They are nutrient deficient. When eating the same amount of "clean", wholesome foods, you find yourself satiated for a much longer time because they are dense in nutrients. It may take a little longer to prepare, but isn't your health worth the extra few minutes? Fruits can also be enormously filling and fulfilling when eaten on their own (easy). Uh - who doesn't know this by now?
Another assumption was that healthy food is not accessible in many of the lower income neighborhoods where the highest percentage of overweight children reside. Well, that actually hasn't been the case in the past few years as more neighborhood supermarkets expand their produce section. Also, the kids in more affluent neighborhoods are quickly catching up in size. Overall, kids are still growing in size, and the sales of junk food have never been better.
No, it's not about food. These kids have lost the connection with their bodies that helps them feel safe, secure and confident. Overweight kids seem to appear hurt deep inside. Whatever the reasons for how and why that's developed is hidden in their bodies. They seem to quickly be anxious and never learn how to communicate to cope with situations that cross their path. They cling to food to deal with their anxiety rather than talk about it. Why? Because it's easy, and they haven't learned how to cope any other way. It's easy to communicate with food. Food doesn't nag, anger, manipulate, or ask for anything in return. It's accepting without negotiation or expectation. It pacifies, calms and soothes all the worries and stresses of the moment.
Our children need to find alternative (non-food) ways to cope as children because that's what helps them feel secure, safe in their own bodies and in their perception of the world as they become adults. It empowers them to be who they want without the concerns of what others may think of them about how they look. They will make better food choices. They will enjoy physical activity. They have to because they're not "weighed-down" with food and the emotions that come with it. If they don't learn to get these basic psychological needs met through family bonding and communication, they will continue to use food because that's what they know.
Life outside the home is stressful enough. Let's learn to keep our home as quiet, serene and as calm as we possibly can so that we may communicate with our family, friends, and others around us our goals, dreams and wishes. So that we may be sensitive to the child that may need a little extra support in learning how to redirect their emotions. Let's teach our kids there's a better way to feed their bodies... and it's not through food. Meditate, pray, discuss, engage. I'd like to see the medical establishment disprove this theory as they continue to throw millions of dollars into "the obesity problem" with new exercise programs, among other things that separate the obese kids from the healthy ones. Right now, I think they're just making wild, insensitive assumptions.
Posted by Liz at 5/31/2008 
Categories: depression,Bulimia,Brain,Anxiety,Food,Weight loss,Health,Eating Disorders,Current,pain-body
Categories: depression,Bulimia,Brain,Anxiety,Food,Weight loss,Health,Eating Disorders,Current,pain-body
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