Mothers blamed for fat children

[All for Women]

MOTHERS are blamed almost exclusively for obese children and the nation's growing waistline in general in the media, a nine-year review has found.

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[kezabelle]

Hmmm, I wouldn't blame them exclusively, but if they are the main caregiver and influence in their child's life, they certainly have a lot to answer for! It still astounds me how many parents seem to have no idea what healthy meals actually consist of. I often hear parents say they give their children nutritious, low fat meals of fish fingers, nuggets, pies, muesli bars, etc. The amount of media coverage of the topic and the available resources at parent centres and doctor's surgeries really should ensure parents/care givers have a basic understanding of what kids should be eating and what is considered 'junk food'.

[Mad Old Cow]

i blame the parents to a certain degree it's not just the food they are eating either, kids just don't get outside to run around & get exercise there are too many things inside these days like the TV, TV games, xbox, pixel chics games,& dare i say it lol computors, it seems everything kids want involves sitting on their bums the list goes on there was'nt any of that yrs ago & our parents would'nt let us sit around the house we were always being told to 'go outside & play'

[Heather]

That is so true Di....that's all the TT does and most of his friends....who by the way come in all shapes and sizes.
I have always provided the foods the experts classify as nutritious...and we do not have junk food in the house....but what does he spend most of his money on....Coke, crisps, chocolate...the list goes on.
So much money is spent on advertising the "wrong" products, the manufacturers must take some responsilility as well.

[BrissyGal]

I've always tried to serve healthy meals at home and we don't have a lot of junk food in the house either but now that Matt is working part-time he spends just about all of his pay on food, softdrink or iced coffees on his way to school and back or at the tuckshop.

Seems such a waste of money to me but it's his money.

[Supa]

I blame parents (not just mums) to a degree as we/they set the examples & serve the food when the kids are young. Establish good eating habits in the kids while they are you & impressionable & hopefully they will continue with them later in life. We have junk in this house(lollie, crisps etc) but they are in moderation. The kids know if they have a small bag of crisps dont ask for any lollies, cake or cordial. My kids are active kids out running around in the paddock on bikes etc so when they do decide to have a few hrs on the x-box, TV, comp etc I dont mind. I think if sports were cheaper more ppl would have their kids do them, but they are exe & not everyone can afford them :(

[lucyloo]

I think its a bit harsh to be blaming only mothers. Do the fathers have no influence in our childrens lives? God, we even get the blame if we marry an overweight man!
In saying that, the children do get their main eating habits from their main caregivers. I think that their are so many mothers out there that have to work nowadays, and the faster the meal that they have prepared the better. Everyone is so busy and tired at the end of the day, that half the time it is easier to get takeaway. Also, lots of kids come home to a parentless household, and thats when they grab something easy out of the cupboard and sit themselves in front of the tele.
I myself, am lucky to be a SAHM, and I have the time to cook nutritious meals for my family. I feels very sorry for obese children, for the crap they cop at school, and you know that they have a long road ahead of them.

[lisa2]

Yes it is the parents influence of course, with young children anyway, we feed them and supply the food. Im guilty of having some junk food but you just have to be aware of what they are eating and snacking on and limit stuff. I dont think cutting out every bit of 'junk' food is required, just balance.:y:

[Di Nana]

:y: yes so this is my mothers fault knew I was doing nothing wrong :pizza: