Kid Fitness - Beware the Backlash

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

05 Oct 2006 12:15 PM

In the last few years, we've seen a lot of articles on childhood obesity. We've also seen a lot of reaction from the schools and school districts in response to concerns of the parents and the health administration. We've applauded the changes they've made to the school menus and the cafeteria offerings. We've applauded the soda ban and we're very happy about that. But there's another ban that's happening in some schools that's a little more troubling - it's a ban on cupcakes.

The cupcake ban is not only in the school cafeterias but also as it relates to any social event that occurs at the school from classroom parties to birthdays. Nutritionists are suggesting that the kids can celebrate by eating carrots. And while I don't have any real issue with raw carrots, I do take issue with the idea that we should swing the pendulum so hard in the opposite direction that we make our kids feel like anything with sugar in it is bad, bad, bad.

It's better for my stomach if I wait - and I'll enjoy it more if I wait to see if I really do want it.

Obesity is a Problem, So is Anorexia

When my five year old told me this morning that she was fat and I turned around and looked at her and asked her why should say such a thing - she said that the kids at school said she was fat because she got to have two Oreo cookies in her lunch box every day. The argument that eating sugar leads to obesity is there - sure, but telling kids that eating anything containing sugar or sweets is bad and wrong can lead kids to more problems with anorexia and other eating disorders. Eating disorders possess a mental and self-image component and there are problems there too.

So what should a parent do? Teach moderation. My daughter gets to eat cookies, sure - but she gets two cookies in her lunch box and she knows that. She gets a dessert portion in the evenings, but not until thirty minutes after her dinner and there have been plenty of times that she doesn't want it after waiting those thirty minutes. My nephew even quotes my rules on the desserts and sweet treats now to other members of the family - he was offered ice cream after a meal one afternoon and he told his grandmother he had to wait at least thirty minutes - then see if he wanted it. When asked why, he said "It's better for my stomach if I wait - and I'll enjoy it more if I wait to see if I really do want it."

It's not the best quote - but it's pretty close to what I tell them. Yes, cakes and cupcakes are a part of our celebrations. We use them for birthdays, Halloween and Christmas and more. If we teach our children that sweets and treats are good for special occasions and they will learn to enjoy them - and they will be honest in their desire for them and not just asking for them automatically. They will also learn how to moderate themselves. If we teach them that they are bad and can never be had - they will be more likely to overindulge when they are presented with an opportunity.

How do you teach your kids about moderation?

Related Articles:

Exercise Tips for Kids: What Can Parents Do

Kid Fitness: Myths About Overweight Children

Children and Dieting

Are You Addicted to Soda Pop?

Honey, We're Killing the Kids

Bullies & Weight Loss

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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Teresa McEntire (2984) 18 Dec 2006 02:00 PM

I had a friend who wasn't allowed any sweets at home and the first thing she did when she got somewhere else was eat sweets, she usually spent all of her money on treats on the way home from school as well. On the flip side we were given treats in our lunch, just like your daughter and my mom made homemade cookies and cakes at least once a week as well. None of us were overweight or too thin.