What is wrong with kids these days?

Ok...that's a broad question. Specifically, pertaining to weight and health - what's wrong with kids these days? I see so many fat kids, it makes me feel sad. There are many, many programs out there offered to make sure our youth stays healthy, but they don't seem to be working. Hmmm...I wonder why. Maybe it's because parents aren't doing their part. You can't rely on a governmental program to correct your child's bad habits - and that's usually what it is. Bad eating habits, and being lazy...and not getting enough exercise.

I don't think we can blame video games...

I had games when I was a child. Video games were just coming out. They were fairly crude and simple, but we spent a lot of time trying to master them and competing for the best score. But, we also had the drive to do things outside. I was lucky, I lived in a great neighborhood, with plenty of kids and things to do. But we got bored too. That's when we make up a new game, or rehash an old one. We used to play sports, ride our bikes, play tag, four square, ghost in the graveyard at night, etc. The point is that there were plenty of things to do because we wanted to do things outside. And every community has parks and playgrounds.

So why don't kids want to be outside? Is it that there are too many fears floating around out there? Too many worried adults that scare kids into staying inside? Fears of strangers, fears of getting injured, social fears...I don't know. Fear is sometimes good, and you can never be too cautious with your own kids.

Maybe it's the availability of junk food. Junk food takes many forms, candy, pop (soda), chips, and many other snacks that we not think of as "junk", but have plenty of sugar, chemicals, etc. Parents have to supply this food or drive the kids to the fast food joint. Now I'd like to point out that having the occasional Big Mac won't kill you. It has probably been ten years since I've eaten one, but if I had to, I would. We all occasionally eat food that is less than healthy, but it's ok because we do it occasionally.

Why are there so many overweight kids? Well, I think I've demonstrated (with all the random thoughts) that I don't know. But, I do know that parents need to influence their kids to be active. Schools can obviously help, but they only have kids for a portion of the day, and have to make sure they are educating our kids properly. Most programs aimed at reducing kids' waist sizes seem to be reactionary. Schools are set up to teach, not to be health clubs.

Parents need to look themselves in the mirror and take full responsibility for the issues their kids have. Yes, there are many reasons for weight gain, but its up to the parents to make sure their kids stay healthy.

Ok...it's getting late and I have to work tomorrow.

Before I sign off, I'd ask that you ask yourselves if you are doing everything you can to live healthy lives. Everything you do affects your kids. If you don't have kids (I'm guessing you do, otherwise you probably would not have read this post) be healthy for yourself and your loved ones.

Jason