On Fridays, I volunteer at a daycare where there is this one 4 year old boy. He one of my favorites because he is so smart for his age and the way he treats the other children, it's so great! The problem is, this little boy is extremely obese and is now forced to be put on a strict diet. It breaks my heart to see him during "outside" time where all the kids want to play tag or soccer. He just likes to walk around with the teachers and he thinks he will never be good at soccer like the other children.
At lunch time he is allowed to eat most of our planned lunch and snacks but only a particular amount of it. During the day, he has to consume a high amount of water, so in the middle of his work time or story time, we have to give him water. When I'm there on Fridays and he does not want to drink his water because the other children are not taking time to drink water, I will sit with him and drink two glasses and pretend that I'm so thirsty.
Children notice their surroundings and have been closely looking at the little boy and treating him differently due to the "special treatment" he has been getting. Sometimes they will pick on him and call him fat and I get really mad because of how kids (even teens and adults) can treat a person based on what they looked like. What if you were obese?
How would you feel if people treated you like crap just because you were bigger? Celebrities like Tyra Banks have done the undercover obesity thing on her show proving that being overweight changes the perceptions of individuals.
Childhood obesity is a major health issue. Children become over weight because of eating way to many calories and the need of physical activity to burn those excess calories. Excess fat is dangerous. The best way to fight this trend is to provide a healthy diet and to encourage increased physical activity.
In the young it can cause poor self esteem and be socially isolating. In adulthood it can often lead to serious illness and premature death. Obesity in a child can also lead to joint problems. Difficulty in breathing while asleep - sleep apnea.
Being "Screen-Lean".
Limiting children's time in front of the television is an important issue for parents. Enrolling a child in programs that will entertain them and provide them with regular physical activity, such as the material arts. Limiting "screen time" and making a home "screen-lean" is also recommended.
Eating Healthy at School.
Children are slowly getting the advantage to eat healthy at school. The usual burger and fries at school are being replaced with fresh, homemade food. Elementary and high schools are now using the Eat Smart program (check out this link, it's amazing!) which is all about healthy eating. The Eat Smart School Cafeteria Program offers a restaurant-like program to the school cafeteria.
We need to stop obesity. The long term effects are just horrible.
- Christina
No comments:
Post a Comment