Fat kids and the parents who feed them

[skybolt_1]

WARNING: Some overweight people might find this offensive, but if you do, your too sensitive.

I work as a caterer on weekends for horse exposition shows in the tri-state area. Most of these shows have a lot of kids, AKA children that are under about 16-18 years old. The last show which I did, which was in RI, had a juniors competition (under 10).

Something that I noticed that disturbed me greatly was the growing number of fat little kids running around. When I say "fat" I don't mean kids with a little bit of chub. I mean these kids couldnt have been more than about 8, were no higher than about 4, 4 1/2 feet, and weighted AT LEAST 100 pounds. These were kids whos parents come up to me and order their kid a plate of bacon, a Milky Way candy bar, and a soda, all of this for breakfast.

Now, what strikes me as odd is that the parents of these kids were not overweight themselves. In fact, some of the mothers were pretty thin, and the fathers had obviously been spending some time in the gym.

What the heck is going on here? Is it just me, or is the above foodstuffs not exactly a well-rounded breakfast? (I'd like to point out that we offer fruit, bottled water, eggs, english muffins and bagels.) What is the matter with these parents? Should they be held to the same accountablilty as the parent who doesn't feed their kid, or maybe the one who physically abuses their sire?

I do have sympathy for those among us who are overweight due to forces beyond their control (thyroid conditions, genetics) but I am actually angered by the blatent disreguard that these people seem to have for their children, nor do I have any sympathy for people who don't do anything and eat junk food all day.

What does the forum think?

[mad1]

Heard of a story in Rockford,Illinois. A man is complaining of higher insurance costs created by overweight people. He states that the rise in health insurace costs are created by overwight people such as the one where he works. This person has been known to voice his disapproval at the overweight person where he works.
Overweight as a child probably will lead to a overweight adult, I do not know the statistics on this situation this is my opinion.

[Atomic Rooster]

While were at it, I think we should hold fast food restaurants accountable for overweight people, liquor companies for drunk drivers, car manufacturers for accidents, baseball bat manufacturers for beatings..... Where does it stop?

[WingWizard]

Yes, parents are partly responsible, but when the child grows up he/she will have to make the decision for healthy eating on their own. I got to the point recently where I was pushing 200 lbs (I'm only 5' 8") and I decided enough was enough; I guess we all just need to be pushed until we decide to do something about our health. Since last Nov., I'm down to about 150

[DemonKnight]

america is simply becoming an obese nation. (not me, I only weigh 130.. I'm about 20 or 30 pounds under weight... I'm 5'10" tall..) some kids will grow out of it, my sister was a preaty good size girl when we were little and when she grew up she had a chance to be a model (but she had a bunch of tattoos and runied it) but shes skinny as hell now.

[tmx468]

If a kid is brought up healthy eating wise, then you will carry that on... if you are brought up on burgers and chips, what will follow on in later life??
Personally, I am a mix - I have the odd fast food meal, but when in the evenings, I cook myself something that is far better!

[Atomic Rooster]

While were at it, I think we should hold fast food restaurants accountable for overweight people, liquor companies for drunk drivers, car manufacturers for accidents, baseball bat manufacturers for beatings..... Where does it stop?

[M_Six]

While not commenting on skybolt_1's original premise, I do think what you mentioned, AR, is a decidedly different issue. Parents are LEGALLY and MORALLY accountable for their children's well-being.

[Creatures]

haha general tech discussion looks like kids are something like Hardware and the software is the food

well i eat pretty much (really much) but i dont get fat, i think i'm even under the "normal" weight in my age, so it depends not on how much food you eat maybe you should make more sport or those kind of things!

Creatures

[dunbar]

I'm overweight, was always overweight, was not and cannot be based on eating habits until I started making my own meals - age 15. Birthweight exceeded 10 lbs - how could either my parents or myself have caused that? I had pneumonia several time before I reached age 4. That damages the lungs. Smokers in my family household further crippled my lungs. Me smoking for 22 years also kept me out of the 'athlete' loop. And finally, I could care less about 'fitness' or 'being the right weight'. I believe there should be laws against meddlesome people who cannot keep out of my health issues with their @#!@#$ laws. If the insurance costs are your concerns, don't make laws, scream at the insurance freaks. If love is your concern, don't legislate it.