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What You Can Do To Fight Childhood Obesity

With nearly 33% of children in America considered to be overweight or obese - a rate that has tripled in adolescents and more than doubled in younger children since 1980 - an Obama Administration task force recently established a goal of reducing the childhood obesity rate to just 5% by 2030, less than a generation away.
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Facts About Childhood Obesity

According to C & R's Youth Beat, kids eat at a restaurant 2.5 times a month. In an average 30-day month, there are 150 meal occasions:
- 30 Breakfasts
- 30 Lunches
- 30 Dinners
- 60 Snacks (at twice a day)
If kids are only going to restaurants 2-3 times a month, they account for only 2 percent of all meal occasions.
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President Bill Clinton Honors 179 U.S. Schools

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, today recognized 179 schools that have transformed their campuses into healthier places for students and staff.
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The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Interviews Eric Mar on San Francisco’s Happy Meal Ban: Hypocrisy at its Finest

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
San Francisco’s Happy Meal Ban
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook

Parents, Don’t Blame Happy Meals By Roland S. Martin

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

CNN) — As a strong proponent of parental responsibility, it both amuses and angers me to see some parents lining up behind an initiative to sue McDonald’s over the inclusion of toys in their Happy Meals.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest is leading the charge in this case, pushing the state of California to ban the toys, suggesting that the toys in Happy Meals are inducing children to eat burgers and fries, thus contributing to the obesity epidemic in America.

As I asserted a few weeks ago in my column supporting First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative, I fully back efforts to end obesity among our children. But at what point do some folks use common sense?

For example, in a story in the Chicago Tribune, parent Monet Parham said her 6-year-old daughter was so enamored with toys offered in partnership with the movie, “Shrek Forever After,” she pestered her mom to collect every toy. That would mean going to McDonald’s every week, since the promotion was a giveaway each week. And that’s not something Parham wanted.

So instead of being a parent and telling her child, “no,” Parham decided to become a plaintiff in the lawsuit. Instead being the grownup and not giving in to the demands of a 6-year-old, Parham thought it made more sense to sue McDonald’s to make her job as a parent easier.

I’ve long maintained that the problem today isn’t children or the world changing. It’s punk parents changing. Yes, I know that’s a strong phrase, but when a parent can’t control a 6-year-old, then we have some issues.

Do I have any biological children? Nope. But my wife and I at different times have raised six of my nieces. And when they lived in our home, we would take them to McDonald’s for a Happy Meal. And when we went, instead of fries, we would order them apples. Instead of a soda, we would get apple juice or milk. Yes, it was that simple. All we did was ask for the healthier options on the menu, and the girls were happy with their Happy Meals.

Why is this so hard?

There is a fundamental role government can play when it comes to nutrition. Going after the cigarette makers who enticed children with cartoon characters to smoke? Good. Limiting trans fats in cooking? No problem here if it makes us healthier. But this is ridiculous.

What we desperately need today are real parents. Parents who understand that it is not their job to be friends with their children but be parents. Parents who get that having a disappointed child who doesn’t get his or her way all the time isn’t a bad thing. Parents who will give their child the right look when the child begins to act a fool and throw a tantrum.

I am not one of these adults who subscribe to the notion that no one can tell them what to do and they can do it all. For instance, I support sex education in schools and don’t believe that we should leave that up to the parents. It’s called education for a reason!

Count me as a major supporter of schools changing their menus to have healthier eating options. And I’m also down with school uniforms. The heck with the peer pressure of the haves and have nots based on designer clothes. None of these prevent parents from doing what they want to do with their children. It’s all about focusing on the broader needs of the child.

What has to be understood is that a lawsuit isn’t the answer to everything. And if we want our children to be healthier, banning a toy will do nothing to make that happen. Push McDonald’s to make healthy options more visible on the menu.

I love the idea of having calorie counts on foods. It has changed my mind on many occasions as to what to buy in a fast food restaurant. Push fast food joints to have a health menu option by adding a salad, fruit and/or water instead of fries and a fountain drink. All of these make sense.

Trying to ban a toy because a parent can’t tell their child no is ludicrous.

My nieces and nephews know full well that when it comes to who is in control, Uncle Ro Ro doesn’t play around. I’m not their friend or buddy; I’m their uncle. What I say goes. I don’t negotiate. I don’t consult. I don’t give in. I make it clear: my money, my rules. As my dad told me, “When you’re grown enough to pay all of your bills, you can make the call.”

If a niece or nephew wants to go to McDonald’s every week for a month just to get a toy, and the deal is we only go once a month, here is the option: “We go once a month or not at all. Your call.”

Trust me, even the biggest child pest has enough sense to figure out that once a month is the better option.

Parents, buck up and be the adult in the family, and stop blaming everything on an outside agency or corporation. Maybe McDonald’s should think of suing sorry parents for not doing their job.

Now that’s a lawsuit I’m willing to support.

Instead of Calories, Scientists Claim Chemicals are the Reasons behind Obesity

Friday, August 13th, 2010

I would like to share an article from Wall Street Journal reporter Allysia Finley regarding the real cause of obesity. Some people always blame calories for everthing, however, scientists recently discovered that chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) might be the ultimate criminals responsible for making us fat. Phthalates are largely used in medical tubing, make-up and PVC piping; and BPA is often can often be found in bottles and food containers.

 Instead of Calories, Scientists Claim Chemicals are the Reasons behind ObesityCamelbakWaterBottles Instead of Calories, Scientists Claim Chemicals are the Reasons behind Obesity

Are Plastics Making Us Fat?

Weight-loss crazes are as American as apple pie—make that Slim Fast shakes. But despite our countless diet fads, the obesity rate has more than doubled in the last 30 years. Perhaps that’s because Americans haven’t tried “The New American Diet,” which promises to reveal “why your weight isn’t your fault” and reverse “the obesogen effect.” Haven’t heard of the “obesogen effect”? You will soon enough.

As authors of “The New American Diet,” Stephen Perrine and Heather Hurlock are among a growing number of health gurus who blame America’s ballooning on “obesogenic” foods that masquerade as healthy. They don’t mean reduced-sugar Cocoa Puffs. Fruits, chicken breasts, canned vegetables, milk and other seemingly wholesome foods, they claim, contain insidious “obesogenic” pesticides and plastics that alter hormones and cause our bodies to store more fat. Their weight-loss secret? Eat organic “obesogen-free” food.

(Read more)

Some Parents Very Unhappy About McDonald's Being Blamed for Increase in Childhood Obesity

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Here is a blog post written by Katie Loud from http://zeldalily.com/, discussing the recent attacks on McDonald’s for contributing to an increase in childhood obesity. Loud, a mother of two, believes McDonald’s is not to blame and that there should be more parental responsibility. She shares her experience of making food choices for her children and admits she occasionally allows them to have a Happy Meal.

Loud strongly believes that less focus should be placed on fast food chains and more on increasing physical activity of children. “You know, I can’t help but feel that the focus is on the path of least resistance here. It’s a lot easier to point the finger at Mickey D’s or BK for foisting junk food on our children, but I very strongly believe that the bigger emphasis should be on increasing physical activity,” Loud said.

McDonald’s Happy Meals Being Blamed for Increase in Childhood Obesity, Have Some Parents Very Unhappy

happymealfood Some Parents Very Unhappy About McDonald's Being Blamed for Increase in Childhood Obesity

I’m the first to admit that the trip to McDonald’s for a Happy Meal has been a not uncommon experience for both of my daughters. I’m very well aware that they are not the most nutritionally sound dinner options, but once in a while the little flimsy cardboard box containing McNuggets, fries, and a toy is just the way to go. The Center for Science in the Public Interest, however, is coming down hard on Happy Meals, taking the fast food giant to task for “predatory marketing practices” by using cheap plastic toys to get kids eating fatty junk.

California’s Santa Clara County has already taken the first step, actually banning toys from the Happy Meal package. This is in the name of combating childhood obesity, a cause that First Lady Michelle Obama has faced head on. As an increase in obesity rates continue, the fast food industry is facing growing pressure.

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Promoting 60 minutes of regular exercise to fight childhood obesity starts at home

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Here is a Green Bay Press-Gazette article written by Kelly McBride about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines that call for an hour of daily activity for children and adolescents. This article is a part of the Green Bay Press-Gazette’s efforts to explore the components of childhood obesity one-by-one as part of the Greatchildrenrunning 300x201 Promoting 60 minutes of regular exercise to fight childhood obesity starts at homeer Green Bay: Where Kids Count community initiative.

The article stresses that getting children moving is an integral part of fighting childhood obesity and that this must start at home. “Activity is a huge piece to this — why we’re seeing the numbers that we’re seeing with the epidemic in this country,” said Michelle Erdmann, team leader of wellness and performance for Bellin Health, adding that change “has to start at home, with strong, active families. That’s a huge piece of it.”

Kids Count: Promoting 60 minutes of regular exercise starts at home

There’s no question that getting kids moving is an integral part of fighting the ongoing national battle against childhood obesity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines call for an hour of daily activity for children and adolescents, but experts say many kids are falling woefully short of that goal.

Busy lives and TV and computer “screen time” are primary culprits as too many kids get too little exercise. School gym classes and other activities can help, but doctors and health officials say meaningful change needs to begin with parents.

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Yahoo! Posts ObesitySolvers Response to Unhealthy Kids Meal Menus

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

Yahoo! posted our latest press release about a NYPost.com article that accused Friendly’s, a New Jersey restaurant, of contributing to childhood obesity by having high calorie meal options.

Bob Cutler, CEO of Creative Consumer Concepts (C3), suggests there should be more education for parents today. “This should not be a government issue, it should be self-regulated. Parents should have the right to choose what they want their child to eat. When parents are educated about meal choices, they would be less likely to choose meals high in calories for their children,” said Cutler.

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yahoo os 300x237 Yahoo! Posts ObesitySolvers Response to Unhealthy Kids Meal Menus

Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Says BMI Misdiagnoses Obesity

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Here is a Nanny State Liberation Front article about Tommy Thompson, former secretary of Health and Human Services, speaking out about new health care regulations demanding obesity ratings. Thompson fears that many Americans will be misdiagnosed and classified as obese by using BMI as the classification system.

bmi comparison Former Secretary of Health and Human Services Says BMI Misdiagnoses Obesity

Tommy Thompson Says Feds Want Americans to Be Fat

Here’s something you won’t hear from First Nanny Michelle Obama’s cheerleaders in the State-Run Media:

The former secretary of Health and Human Services said that using body mass as an indicator of obesity is an old and flawed science.

“And what I’m saying and what I’m representing is a new type of science called body composition. And body composition takes into consideration your body fat, and body fat really is a determining factor as to whether or not you’re going to become obese, whether or not you’re going to have hyper tension, whether or not you’re going to have cardiovascular problems,” Thompson said.

Thompson said body fat is the indicator of a worsening physical condition of a person, not the body mass.

He said he fears that many Americans will be misdiagnosed and classified as obese.

The “Comments” section of the article needs to hear from you — the voice of reason and sanity — to let fellow Americans know they can either join the revolution against big government bureaucrats or fall victim to them.

The original article can be found here

Tobacco Funds Shrink as Childhood Obesity Fight Intensifies

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

tobaccoobesity 300x157 Tobacco Funds Shrink as Childhood Obesity Fight Intensifies

The New York Time’s reported on Tuesday that more money is now being granted to the fight against childhood obesity, rather than to longstanding anti-tobacco campaigns. In 1991, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation became the largest private funding source for fighting smoking. They spent $700 million to help get Joe Camel out of advertisements, advocated for higher cigarette taxes and smoke-free air laws and aided in reducing the nation’s smoking rate almost by half. A few years ago, the Foundation pledged to spend $500 million in five years on the childhood obesity fight. It was reported that they spent $58 million last year on the obesity efforts, granting only $4 million to the anti-smoking efforts.

The anti-obesity fight has full support from the White House with Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign. The administration has funded this anti-obesity initiative with $1.15 billion, which came from economic stimulus and health care reform legislation. They provided more than $200 million for tobacco-use prevention, but much more was used for the obesity fight.

These two main public health issues now seem to be competing for attention. Dr. Steven A. Schroeder, former president of the Johnson Foundation, recognizes that childhood obesity is winning that current fight for attention. “The sad thing is, smoking, despite all the harm it does, is left pretty much an orphan,” Schroeder said.

Read the full article

BMI: Body Mass falsely classifying people

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

The Center for Consumer Freedom has taken the Government’s requirements for calculating body mass index to see what celebrities are classified as overweight and obese. The BMI calculation simply looks at a person’s height and weight. Needless to say, this government calculation is falsely classifying people.

CCF ObeseInfoGraphic 300x204 BMI: Body Mass falsely classifying people

OVERWEIGHT: (Last number is the calculated BMI)
Barry Bonds: 6’2″: 228 lbs: 29
David Boreanaz: 6’2″: 218 lbs: 28
Tom Brady: 6’4″: 225 lbs: 27
President Bush: 5’11″: 191 lbs: 26
Nic Cage: 6’1″: 210 lbs: 28
George Clooney: 5’11″: 211 lbs: 29
Matt Damon: 5’11″: 187 lbs: 26
Johnny Depp: 5’7″: 190 lbs: 27
David Duchovny: 6’0″: 212 lbs: 29
Vin Diesel: 6’2″: 200 lbs: 26
Cheryl Ford: 6’3″: 215 lbs:27
Harrison Ford: 6’1″: 218 lbs: 29
Brendan Fraser: 6’3″: 234 lbs: 29
Richard Gere: 5’11″: 187 lbs: 26
Ethan Hawke: 5’9″: 172 lbs: 25
Hugh Jackman: 6’2″: 210 lbs: 27
Lebron James: 6’8″: 240 lbs: 26
Dale Jarrett: 6’2″: 200 lbs: 26
Bobby Labonte: 5’9″: 170 lbs: 25
Nick Lachey: 5’10″: 180 lbs: 26
Karl Malone: 6’9″: 259 lbs: 28
Dr. Phil McGraw: 6’4″: 240 lbs: 29
Mark McGuire (playing weight): 6’5″: 250 lbs: 30
Donovan McNabb: 6’3″: 240 lbs: 30
Yao Ming: 7’6″: 310 lbs: 27
Brad Pitt: 6’0″: 203 lbs: 28
Keanu Reeves: 6’1″: 223 lbs: 29
Cal Ripken: 6’4″: 210 lbs: 27
Andy Roddick: 6’2″: 197 lbs: 25
Will Smith: 6’2″: 210 lbs: 27
Sammy Sosa: 6’0″: 220 lbs: 30
Denzel Washington: 6’0″: 199 lbs: 27
Bruce Willis: 6’0″: 200 lbs: 29
Billy Zane: 6’2″: 210 lbs: 27
OBESE: (Last number is the calculated BMI)
Mel Gibson 5’9″: 214 pounds: 32
Matt LeBlanc: 5’11″: 218 lbs: 30
The Rock (Dwayne Johnson): 6’5″: 275 lbs: 33
Arnold Schwarzenegger: 6’2″: 257 lbs: 33
Sylvester Stallone: 5’9″: 228 lbs: 34
Mike Tyson: 5’11 ½”: fighting weight between 218-235: 30-32
* All height and weight measurements were obtained through an online compendium of actor data, celebrity promotional materials, and official athletic figures found through ESPN.

Click here to calculate your BMI and see if your “Government Approved”

BMI Measurements Do Not Solve Childhood Obesity

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Here is a blog post from Nanny State Liberation Front about the different tests for body mass index (BMI) that can embarrass overweight children. Some of these tests are becoming required in physical education classes and can put children in a very uncomfortable position in front of their classmates. Many children already struggle with self-esteem and fitting in with their peers and do not need a test to “prove” why they should be insecure.

Anti-Obesity Crusaders Devise More Ridiculous Tests to Humiliate Fat Kids

It’s not enough for a fat kid with a bulging belly and triple chins to be standing right in front of an anti-obesity crusader to reach the obvious conclusion. Common sense has clearly gone out the window and, these days, it’s about driving the point home to parents with ‘irrefutable’ scientific data by subjecting their pudgy children to humiliating measuring techniques.

Most prominent of the obesity measuring tools are the Body Mass Indicator (BMI) calipers that pinch folds of fat on various parts of kids’ bodies. Anyone who’s been in gym class over the past two decades has probably come in contact with the BMI pinchers while standing in front of their classmates. And, if you were a heavy kid, chances are you didn’t feel comfortable wondering if others were looking on and laughing while the gym teacher pulled cellulite away from your extremities.

Commenting on the subject of BMI caliper tests in middle school, “bethmiller” wrote on the “Shapely Prose” blog, “When I was in middle school they made us take the ‘fat test’ in front of the whole class, it was one of the most embarrassing moments in my life. When I first learned that this was a legitimate ‘test’ I was mortified by it and then tortured with it for three years.”

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