Today's Kids Are Fat. Why? They Eat More

Reader Comments
Back to blog

I saw a news report about a program that both brings fitness into the classroom and promotes awareness for the need of physical activity in the lives of children. Many kids today are not getting the amount of exercise they need and are also uneducated about the health risks of eating poorly. The campaign helps to reinvent recess by increasing students’ activity through alternative and creative movements, with the help of dance instructors.
The program initially was only implemented in Connecticut schools, but with its success and the overall concern of the issue at hand, it is now available to schools across the country. As part of the launch program, a video contest has been announced for children and young teens in grades 2-8 with efforts to address childhood obesity. I found this information on their site, www.recessrocks.com.

anonymous of NY 3:29PM October 11, 2010

MY CHILD WONT STOP EATING HIMSELF!!!! PLEASE SEND HELP PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jose of NE 5:06PM February 11, 2010

Right on target.
They over-eat like little piggies on McD's, Fries, Caffeine Boosters, etc.
Why do they eat all this junk food?
Because no one is home watching the kids.

Greg of IL 4:34PM November 30, 2009

I see parents buying overweight children donuts and it makes me sad, and puzzled, you'd think the parents would know better.

Camron Barth of WA 11:49PM November 22, 2009

I am guilty of having not one but two overwight kids. I am a single mother I work full time and I go to school full time. I myself am packing on the pounds because it is so easy to stop and get fast food between coming home from work and heading off to class. I have made some changes though and it seems to be working. I cook and freeze food once a week so we can take it out and nuke it. I have also made time for family exploration walks. I was a fat kid and I struggle with my weight still and I really dont want that for my boys. Its not easy with the convenience of todays society.

L. Shaw of OR 4:28PM September 13, 2009

Because of McDonalds, and all the other fastfood places welcoming kids in.They are sucking chilren in with all the play places, and the toys. Teens eat fastfood because its more convienient.They dont excercise like they should because they have the TV, and Computer.They should be at least walking every once in a while. Thats what I do, and i can still eat some mcdonalds but i limit myself. You want to be healthy in life, i grew up a fat kid in my adolecences. It wasnt very typical for me to exercise. I always ate, and ate, and ate in front of the Tv. Now im living a healthy life, i might not be as skinnny as i want to be. But I am healthy and thats all that matters.

Lyndsie of IN 5:43PM May 17, 2009

Simple answer is that there are too many options available to kids that allow them to stay inside. The introduction of the computer and 350 televsion stations to choose from along with the dollar menu from most of the fast food chains invites lazyness and obesity.
Participating in after-school activities instead of going home to an empty house with nothing to do is a great first option. What happened to athletics or clubs? Drama, theatre, etc.
In this economy and these times it's normal for both parents to be working. Possibly, there just isn't any one at home to keep the discipline. All I can say is, when I was younger which wasn't too long ago, we had 1 hour of tv per day. We very rarely ate fast food, and all participated in sports or after school activities. Limit the time allowed to be spent in the house doing nothing and watch the pounds waste away.

Robert of NJ 2:07PM May 15, 2009

Kids of today need to go back to the lifestyle of the 50's.home from school, homework, chores, out to play, no sitting in front of the tv. maybe 1 hour of tv after dinner. Dessert? for what. That was only on Sundays. No fastfood restaurants.

D ZAFRA of NC 6:43AM May 12, 2009