I recently read an article that discussed the rising popularityof bariatric surgery for kids in an attempt to lose weight. I
can't believe this is what it has come down to. Parents are
shirking their duty of buying healthy choices, physical activity
for these kids is minimal, and so let's put these kids through
a potentially dangerous operation to make up for society's
irresponsible behavior.
The article featured a 17 year old who lost 100 pounds due to
the surgery. That is great, I'm happy for her, but why was she
in that position to begin with. She is 17 and weighed 250 pounds.
Kids are not supposed to be like that, or am I being naive.
She said dieting didn't work and she couldn't exercise because
of her heart problems due to her excess weight.
Look, I've worked with many people who have lost weight and it
does work. If you have failed at losing weight, it isn't your
fault!! You have just been lied to by the weight loss manufacturers
and given misinformation.
If you eat properly and exercise
If you eat properly and exercise
consistently, you can lose weight, unfortunately it will take
time.
Last month, I was down in Florida (had to rub that in to you
guys) and spent some time in Disney World. You get a good sample
of what our population is like down there and I'm telling you
it isn't a happy picture. So many people are obese and it doesn't
seem to be getting better.
To Disney's credit, at one of their food joints, you actually
had the choice to order a side of fries or carrots. They also
had a couple other healthy choices for you as well. An overweight
mother and her equally overweight daughters sat down beside us
to eat. Did they make the healthy choices? No.
At least Disney is willing to put the ownness on people to make
healthy choices, but people you have to make that choice. Our
children shouldn't be this fat (yes I'll say it, FAT) at such
an early age. Give them a chance at living a good life, by
putting healthier food choices in your cabinet. You are the
wise parents. Make the right decision and avoid having to even
consider a bariatric operation for your child.
As I was preparing this article, I read that
earlier this week in Cincinnati, a report mentioned that 200
teenagers will be taking part in a federally funded study on
the benefits and risks of bariatric surgery. Researchers want
to find out whether there are any benefits to having this surgery
done earlier in life. With the growing rate of obesity among
our children, researchers hope to show a more effective way to
counter it.
Once again, I do not deny all the problems associated with obesity.
Depression, low self esteem, and that's not even including the
health issues. But is this surgery the way to go?
For some people, yes! We live in a quick fix society and this
might be the best option for these people.
But what about taking a different approach. Let's stop this
cycle before it even gets to that point.
Why don't we get our kids more active and start making smarter
choices when they eat. Kids get introduced to this junk because
we the parents give it to them. Yes, I understand the fun it
is for a McDonald's Burger every now and then, but don't feed
it to them every day.
It is our responsibility as parents to raise healthy and happy
children. It makes me sick when I hear parents say their kid
HAS TO HAVE a milkshake or fries. If they don't get it they
throw fits.
WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE? I apologize for ranting on this continuing theme, but
children's obesity is something that shouldn't be as big of a
problem as it is.
Children should be very active. Get them involved in activities
and sports to burn calories. Let them play in their playgrounds.
Limit the ps2 and computer time.
Make better food choices for the kids. Introduce them to fruits
and vegetables. And I'm not talking about potato chips and fruit
roll-ups. Show them what an apple is. Show them what carrots
are. Make those the accessible choices for the kids in the
refrigerator.
Throw away most of those processed foods and give desserts only
on special occasions. This process can be turned around, but
only if we make it. Don't let the only choice for salvation be
the bariatric surgery. Make prevention your key to stopping
this epidemic.
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