I have one question for Michelle Obama:
Did she have some particular reason for choosing the slogan "War on Obesity" when she formulated her plan to get America's kids in shape?
America's kids look to America's adults for mentoring in all areas of life. When they become tomorrow's leaders, it will be because of the leadership we are giving them today.
How they feel about themselves, the ways in which they relate to others, what they feel capable of deep inside their own skin, what (and whom) they love or hate....well, we were all kids once too, so it's not too difficult to figure out how we got to be the way that we are. Someone taught us, guided us, influenced us, whether by omission or commission.
We are now doing the same for those who follow in our wake.
Unfortunately, we often don't notice the results of our influence until our kids start showing signs of stress. No matter how awkward or scary or inconvenient their breakdowns may be, there is no possible way we can pin the blame for their stress on them. So the culprit flaps around at large for awhile, squawking and screeching and just generally making a mess, until we finally reel it back in and claim it for our own.
Which is why I have just one question for Michelle Obama.
Mrs. First Lady, I want to know why, instead of the "War on Obesity" (which rolls out the red carpet for a continuation of weight and appearance-based stereotypes and prejudices) we couldn't have just called the campaign "Americans for Fit, Healthy Kids"?
Man that has a ring to it!
In his timeless classic song, "Russians", Sting explains very clearly the impact a war on anything has on all involved. He writes: "there's no such thing as a winnable war".
We all want to be healthy. We want our kids to be healthy. We want their kids, and their kids, and their kids, to be healthy too.
But do we know it? Do our kids know it? Is anything we are saying to them right now about our collective adult war on adolescent weight sending them the message that we want them to be healthy, to be fit, to live long and love-filled lives?
It is easy enough to change a slogan, but it is very, very hard to change a legacy. Michelle, will you please reconsider?
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Without guidance, all some parents know is that their child needs to lose weight, and that means caloric restriction, otherwise known as a diet. Proper education will allow people to see that children can "grow" into their weight in many instances by maintaining a stable weight and gaining height.
Parents are to be reminded that children do not exercise, they play. We all enjoy play. Play is fun. Exercise is punishment.
I agree, in our zeal to promote physical health, we must not neglect the emotional health of our youth.
Thank you for so eloquently stating the need to end this "war" that is damaging so many lives! I encourage those who may feel differently, especially if there is a lot of heat and anger in their disagreement, to examine closely from where these feelings have come and to stretch themselves by reading Dr. Linda Bacon's book, Health At Every Size. If they still disagree, then let's agree to disagree respectfully. Again, thank you, Shannon!
1) Politicians are beholden to special interests and the term "War on Obesity" is better marketing to sell diet and weight loss products to kids. Presidents have been harping about childhood obesity since Einsenhower, this is not new
2) Forcing the population to keep obsessing on weight distracts them from all the crises that are going on. Interesting that early on in the Gulf Spill, MSM quickly ran a story about the Southeast having the fattest kids. (Which will also be convenient when those kids get cancer from all the chemicals in the Gulf. Just blame it on obesity, it is a tried and true method!)
3) Fat kids make a society, and especially parents, feel guilty. That is why Uncle Sam harps at us constantly too over our eating habits A guilty population is easier to manipulate.
If this was about getting kids healthier, they would change tactics. The war on fat people has been going on since the 1950s; not only has it not changed anything, it has come with many ill side effects, like stigma, eating disorders, scapegoating, and ill health from risky weight loss practices.
"The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." Einstein
p.s. As a formerly fat child who is a very healthy fat adult, I am sure glad none of above programs were effective in making me "disappear" from society!
I've seen thin children eating unhealthy foods and sitting on there butts playing video games too, if the emphasis is on who is fat, those children are ignored.
Your other commenter, for example, makes that mistake. He or she also thinks we can choose our weight and our health and that shame helps the process along. He or she thinks that this is a matter of telling the truth and not hiding from responsibility. This makes me sad. This kind of attitude doesn't help anyone change their body size but it does cause a lot of harm. It is about time more people speak up about this, and you have. Thank you.
Thank you, First Lady. You're doing the right thing.
As a normal weight person who happens to have diabetes, I am fully aware that many people suffer from insulin resistance, thyroid problems, and issues related to autoimmune diseases that they certainly can't be to blame for.
I agree that we all need to be healthy & fit, but it's not a clear-cut issue.
Lets use the dirty and hurtful words to describe the problem, and the cheery words to describe the solution.
I'm never going to be thin, not ever.