Comments on: Childhood obesity – the unstoppable epidemic http://jamespickard.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/prevent-your-obese-child-becoming-an-obese-adult/ spitting at the rain Tue, 19 May 2009 14:13:51 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: jamespickard http://jamespickard.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/prevent-your-obese-child-becoming-an-obese-adult/#comment-16 jamespickard Wed, 09 Jul 2008 14:30:49 +0000 http://jamespickard.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-16 The cost is certainly a key issue in childhood obesity as fresh food seems to be more and more expensive. Fast food chains offer a quick, easy solution and parents will find it hard to say no all the time. This is the point that I am trying to make about childhood obesity. It may take time to change things but obviously the benefits will outweigh any sacrifices and teething problems. However, I think the issue of hunger is not as prevalent in the lower-income areas as it may have been decades ago. Malnutrition and poor eating habits are more of a problem as families struggle to eat the required amounts of fruit and vegetables while remaining overweight. As for the problem of anorexia, this is clearly more of a psychological issue that can't be solved with a simple plan. I have no knowledge of the details of this very delicate subject and wouldn't even know where to start when approaching it. The cost is certainly a key issue in childhood obesity as fresh food seems to be more and more expensive. Fast food chains offer a quick, easy solution and parents will find it hard to say no all the time.

This is the point that I am trying to make about childhood obesity. It may take time to change things but obviously the benefits will outweigh any sacrifices and teething problems.

However, I think the issue of hunger is not as prevalent in the lower-income areas as it may have been decades ago. Malnutrition and poor eating habits are more of a problem as families struggle to eat the required amounts of fruit and vegetables while remaining overweight.

As for the problem of anorexia, this is clearly more of a psychological issue that can’t be solved with a simple plan. I have no knowledge of the details of this very delicate subject and wouldn’t even know where to start when approaching it.

]]> By: jlbvolunteer http://jamespickard.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/prevent-your-obese-child-becoming-an-obese-adult/#comment-15 jlbvolunteer Wed, 09 Jul 2008 13:57:14 +0000 http://jamespickard.wordpress.com/?p=37#comment-15 Look at the economic demographics -- childhood obesity is more prevelant in lower-income areas. Fast food is CHEAP and healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are relatively expensive and may not be as readily available. Anorexia is a completely different issue and the victims are most often girls, and increasingly boys, from more affluent areas. I would be surprised if anorexia and other EDs were as prevalent in lower-income areass where hunger is a real concern. Look at the economic demographics — childhood obesity is more prevelant in lower-income areas. Fast food is CHEAP and healthy foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are relatively expensive and may not be as readily available.

Anorexia is a completely different issue and the victims are most often girls, and increasingly boys, from more affluent areas. I would be surprised if anorexia and other EDs were as prevalent in lower-income areass where hunger is a real concern.

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