'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

[Labarum]

And didn't we all know this?

The increase in childhood obesity is being caused by addiction to "toxic", sugar-filled manufactured foods, a US researcher has claimed . . .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4784873.stm

[dreamof145]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

This is so true. I see it in my own grand-kids. They are always asking for candy and junk food. Schools also give out candybars to the students who excell. The apartment that I used to live in gave out candy tied to the monthly newsletter. When you go into a new store for the grand opening, they hand the kids out candy. Kids are always rewarded and made to feel special with candy and junk. Sad, but so true.

[Labarum]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

The observation is general - it applies to the whole population, not just the children.

The tyranny of sugar is central to the teaching of Dr Atkins.

[fawn]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

sugar is a drug and too many are addicted. Did you watch the dateline special last night? It was very good. Kraft spokesman was on and claimed 50% responsibility for the obesity epidemic with the other 50% placed on the consumer. It was refreshing. Though refreshing, they are obviously addressing the impending disaster that they are potentially responsible for. So it is a reactive rather than pro-active.

[sallyseachange]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

The whole 'rampant obesity' issue drives me nuts with frustration... at knowing how relatively simple it would be to solve it to a great extent...but knowing that most people just don't want to know!

AARRRRGH!

[Vampyre]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

I got into a debate on another board with someone who does not have obesity issues. When I said that a major part of the problem is the refined foods in our diet, she kept insisting that it's all callories in and callories out. Many doctors and nutrionists have been taught the same mantra. The food pyramid gives people permission to eat a large portion of their foods as refined carbs in the form of white flour as part of a "balanced diet'. It's going to take a great deal of effort for people to learn how to eat properly again. While Atkins works for me, South Beach is a big help to some people. I have friends who are doing a diet of foods from the Bible. Dr. Phil's book tells people to eat less refined foods. I would love to see this catch on with the majority of people who are still eating poptarts and boxed mac and cheese.

My youngest (17) went shopping with me the other day, and he observed that I now shop the outside edge of the store, going from produce to meats, to dairy, to the paper aisle and then right out the door.

[fawn]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

calories in calories out is a load of crap.

high furctose corn syrup and trans fats all in pre-packaged over processed foods are the direct link to obesity.

If a child went through his childhood only eating fresh whole foods, they would NOT be obese nor would they have type 2 diabetes.

I am so sick of mainstream CRAP CRAP CRAP!

[not2late]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

I would love to see this catch on with the majority of people who are still eating poptarts and boxed mac and cheese.

I think there are some people (very few people) who can eat junk their whole lives and will remain thin. But there aren't very many of them around. The people I know who do that, spend as twice as much time exercising as they do eating. So they're the "Oooh, I ate 250 calories. I gotta exercise 3 hours before I go to sleep tonight" crowd.

For the majority of us, we could probably eat like that until our late 20s, early 30s, but not afterwards. What's kind of interesting is that those of us who are in our 30s and above, probably ate very little processed foods when were were kids and only fell into that processed phase when we were older. My mom cooked all the meals and fast food, hotdogs, etc were occasional foods we ate once or twice a year.

My youngest (17) went shopping with me the other day, and he observed that I now shop the outside edge of the store, going from produce to meats, to dairy, to the paper aisle and then right out the door.

Good for you and him! Teach him how to shop and he'll be an informed shopper when he leaves the nest.

[sadie147]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

I just saw on our noon news that a poll of parents showed that 9% of canadian parents thought they're children had a weight issue...apparently 26% of them do! That's ALOT of parents in denial (i'm sure this isn't just a Cdn problem either)...

[Labarum]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

When I copied the BBC article to the list my mind was not focused exclusively on the issues for children. They are issues for the whole population.

Dr Atkins new it, and so do we.

[sadie147]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

childhood obesity leads to adult obesity IMO. I think it's something that they should really focus on, children depend on their parents to feed them..and when they feed them crap...this is what happens. then that can lead to a lifetime of weight struggles.

[fawn]

Re: 'Toxic diets' fuel child obesity

We're going to have more than a lifetime of weight struggles. With our health care in the shape it is in and the obesity/disease rate.......Well this is recipe for disaster in many ways. Reminds me of Rome and we all know what that led to!