Kids and Food

I just read an article saying that a consumer group is suing the Kellog Company and Viacom, Inc. for advertising Tony The Tiger cereal and other "sugar" foods to kids durng the cartoon times when kids are watching TV.  They also want these companies to stop promoting junk web sites, toy giveaways, contests, etc. at the kids age groups.  The consumer group states they are concerned about about the growing obesity crisis with kids. Gee, and who buys the groceries in your house and pays for them.......

I don't believe it is the kids.The growing obesity could be from kids being less active.  Kids use to be able to freely ride their bikes in the neighborhood, play in their front yards without the fear of being kidnapped, invite their friends over the play, etc.  With working, exhausted parents having less time to consider inviting their kids friends over the play, sit in the front yard and watch their kids play, take bike rides with the kids on a regular basis - the kids often just sit in front of a computer or television and the fat accumulates on their bodies - just like on our bodies from inactivity. 

I was at a bus stop putting my grandson on the bus and started talking about what kids eat for breakfast before they go to school.  Their responses surprised me "my kids eat pop tarts and milk"; "my kid eats chocolate chip muffins and chocolate milk" "my kids eat cold cereal", etc. 

I also read that a school in Georgia is tracking what kids are eating at school for lunch so they can report to the parents.  So, what is that going to do?  Kids will almost always pick "unhealthy" food because it taste better than the healthy food - we, as adults, already know this.  Kids are no different in their choices - eat what they like.

I was at an airport a couple of years ago and listen as the mother took orders from her small kids on what they want to eat at McDonalds in the airport.  I was shocked when two of her kids said all they wanted was a "small salad".  What, kids eating salads - I had never heard of that before (ha).  I sat there and watch the kids eat the salads and the kids were happy.  Believe it or not>

Parents are in charge of the food that comes into their homes and I don't personally think anyone can blame the Kellog Company or what is being advertised on TV as their excuse to be able to say "no, to the kids when it comes to junk food". 

Most of obesity comes from what - lack of diet and excercise.  Inactivity is a major factor in a lot of health issues - concentrate on how to help your kids with these items and they will be healthy kids and hopefully will learn eating and activity habits that will continue in their adult life.

Send me your comments - I'm sure all of you have important thoughts on this sensitive subject!  Let me hear from you.

Comments

[Justin Parker]

Hi Boss,

This is your partner Justin.
How are you doing on your articals?
Let me know if you need
ideas.

Tell me on thursday.
Justin Parker

[Targeted Traffic]

Hi Rosalie,

I remember several years ago in the UK there was a documentary done on Kids and Vitamins.

The study proved that mothers had been quite correct all along in that a daily intake of vitamin suppliments in kids improved their efficiency in the classroom and their IQ level by quite a significant amount over 1 year.