Most parents can't tell if their children are obese: study - UK

[dArKeR]

THE OBSERVER , LONDON
Monday, Mar 15, 2004,Page 7

The majority of parents are no longer able to tell whether their children are overweight, a ground-breaking study of how British families perceive body size will reveal this week.

Even when their children are clinically obese, at least one-third of parents -- particularly fathers -- believe they are the normal weight for their age.

Research to be presented at a conference shows they no longer recognize a healthy body shape for a child.

The study has alarming implications for Government plans to fight fatness, the country's largest public health epidemic.

If families cannot spot obesity in their own children they are highly unlikely to follow much of the health advice being issued.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2004/03/15/2003102562

[kiahzero]

1. Most parents contribute to their children's obesity

The enforcement of food guilt on children is, in my mind, an important aspect in obesity. IIRC, studies have shown that people have a very hard time not eating food that is put in front of them. For some reason beyond my comprehension, children in this country are taught to eat whatever is placed before them, regardless of whether they are full or not.

Stop training children to eat everything put before them, and obesity will decrease.

[JaySherman]

2. I'm beginning to believe how much you eat

is as or more important than what you eat. People need to learn to eat until they're satisified. Your body will tell you when you've refueled it sufficiently. A couple years ago, I dropped 25 lbs in a month just by making that simple change in my diet.

I find this whole idea of parents not being able to tell if their kid is a Cartman tragically amusing. Have we gotten so collectively fat that we can't tell the difference just by looking at each other? And what ever happenend to the formula of healthy weight for your height and age?

[ConcernedCanuk]

3. For those parents that can't tell when kids are getting fat . .

.
.
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actually


on the serious side


here's a chart




MORE HERE

[kiahzero]

4. Yes and no

That formula of BMI has the serious problem that it doesn't take into account muscle mass. My girlfriend, a former power-lifter, was listed as "overweight" by that chart - when they used the more accurate formula, she was right in the healthy weight. Makes sense, seeing as there was hardly an ounce of fat on her.