Are we promoting unhealthy habits in our children? Does our society lead our children to become unfit or obese TV freaks and computer geeks? Do we let them see too much violence on TV and in video games? Too much sex? Do we promote kids being overweight and not getting enough exercise? What do you think will be the long-term consequences of subjecting our children to too much too early? If you have children yourself, what are your policies on eating, exercise, TV, and video games for your kids? If you don't have children, how do you expect you'll handle these issues when the time comes? How did your parents handle them? What was the result?
Thanks for your comments.
Amy Marx (11:00)
17 comments:
i do believe that we as a society are at fault for alot of obesity in our youth. In grocery stores we have inpulse items such as junk food right by the register. we also advertize too much fast food such as mcdonalds and hardees, as well as others. video games are also taking over the exercise kids need. Instead of the kids playin a backyard football game they can do it on the tv.
brandon sherfey
I don't think we are the ones to blame for the obesity in the the US. We are though responsible for letting it get out of hand. The people who are responsible for obesity is the people who are like that. They should at least know better than to eat so much or sitting in house for so long has an effect on your body. Teachers and parents should stress that kids need to go out more during nice days and regulate playtime on video games, than by the time that kids are old enough to understand how regulate how much to eat and play video games they will have developed a good sense on when and when not to do these things.
Jarrod Winder
I believe some of the habits of kids today have potential to lead into obesity. All you see on tv is how cool and fun candy is, and most of the parents could care less. They buy what they want to eat, and dont think about the nutritional values of their kids. Hell, they dont even really sit down and have a meal together anymore. And tv is always involved at dinner. It also seems to me that the generation of parents today were too young to have kids, and dont really know how to raise them right. Now if I just offended someone out there i'm sorry, but i've been seeing lazier and lazier parents more and more. They grew up really fast, partied a lot, got out of school, kept parting, had a kid, then the next thing you know they're trying to raise it on no foundation. They didnt take the time to slow down, get educated, and get a really reliable job. All they had to do was be as careful as possible when they were having sex. I also know some kids out there that just seem like they have no energy. In school i talked to kids in p.e. that hated to do the early sprints in class because they felt as if they didnt have to run. I was in fitness, and always told them "you should do it, it helps you feel better and look better." Now those kids are over weight, and unhappy. A lot of people dont realise is that when they start making food fat, they also make it even more unhealthier for you. My mom works at Kraft, and she told me that when they make salad dressings fat free. They have to add in salt because when you take the fat out of something it becomes really bad to taste. So, to add taste back they add salt. Then that'll create all new health problems for you. so, back to the subject on the unhealthy habbits of kids. just make sure they eat right, have regular habbits playing outside, and live a long happy life. because thats all that matter anyway.
Justin Crowley
I think that America is to blame for child obesity for many reasons such as fast food, poor exercise, bad parenting; these are all part of the problem. I find offence in the video game comment though; I acknowledge that video games are sometimes an alternative to exercise but the child who chooses video games over exercise is the problem.But video games are not an issue though, I have read countless articles were that blame video games for pretty much everything. school shootings, poor language, test scores, tax evasion, crimes, fall in stock, the working world and last but not least my personal favorite the police department. You name it they have blamed Video Games, its like they were trying to find a scapegoat or somthing. Children have a mind of there own and sometimes the child is just unwise and makes bad decisions so we cant be held full responsibility for there out come. As for the parents of these cubby children they were the ones who made these choices they themselves are probably unhealthy and fat too. In the end America is just all about making money, it doesn’t care if the product it is selling will turn children fat. I think that as Americans we blame ourselves for others misfortune I think that people should make the right choice and start being a smart consumer and stop blaming the video games
isaac mitchell btw the one above
I do have to say that kids are being subjected to unhealthy habits at an early age. Though, parents try to keep the kids away from too much tv, video games, and Mcdonalds, it becomes difficult. Those things keep the kids happy and make life easier for the parents. When it comes to violence and sex on TV, I think kids should see it as little as possibly, BUT I do also believe that kids have to see that stuff to know it actually exists. But at the same time if too much of these things are seen at an early age it can and will lead to the child growing up violent or leading them to sexual activities at an early age. You see there is a good AND bad side to these things. My parents let me see these things around age 10 or so and I actually think it helped me. It made me be more careful and aware of my surroundings - this may not be the case with everybody else. When my time comes to have kids I will probably take the same approach to this as my parents did. They let me see things to understand them (but not too early in life). When it comes to eating habits they tried to make me eat healthy, but I often refused. I would probably be a little more strict on eating healthy because I don't want my kids to have unhealthy bodies because I didn't inforce better eating habits. Then again a parent can only do so much for their children - the children essentially make their own choice in the end.
Nigel Knop.
I believe that children aren't as obesed as adults and that children can make good choices for themselves. Video games are around more than they use to be and that kids are siting and watching TV too long. I have two nephews and one plays games, but is also active. The other one is 3 and he plays, but also wants to go to some fast food place when he sees a commercial.
Katrina Burkhardt
I think there are families out there that abuse the video games, movies, and TV watching. It seems parents will stick their children in front of a TV to do their babysitting for them. I know there are eductional games out there as well, but children need explore in reality. I feel many families these days were started too early, and the parents weren't prepared for the responsibilities that come along with children. Sitting down and reading a book, or getting out a huge piece of paper and tracing your body and getting to color it in, those are things I remember doing when I was little. I have very few memories of sitting in front of the TV. We played outside on the swing set, went swimming, or built a snowman. I think if I have a family of my own, TV and video game time will be regulated. I know everybody has a favorite show or game they like to play, so use those as rewards rather than babysitting tactics. And as far as child obesity, that is all the parents fault. They chose what goes into the childs mouth, and the children will grow up learning those are the kinds of food you are supposed to eat. I didn't know coke exsisted until I stayed the night at a friends house in 4th grade. We got 7up as a treat growing up in my house. Children replicate their parents actions, and most parents don't seem to get that concept.
Christie Johnson (11:00)
Depending who you are and your phylosophies on health impacts whether or not your children will become unfit, obese, a TV freak and or computer geeks. If taught and shown by example how to live healthy, your children can also be healthy. There is evidence that some people are predisposed genetically to being overweight and with the right information can live a relatively healthy life. Structure in the home and enough guidance by the parents can offset what negative influences television can impose on impressionable young minds. Parents are the ones who can set good examples for the well-being of their children. There does not have to be any long term consequences of anything the children are subjected to through television, internet or video games. Setting boundaries and careful influences, education, appropriate guidlines and love with respect will be the guiding influence throughout childrens lives. Linda Francis
Putting blame on a society, tv or video games is the wrong thing to do here. I believe all the blame is directly on the parents for unhealthy children. Being a child myself for a couple years, I can tell you that my parents were the law of the land growing up. If they wanted me outside playing instead of sitting in front of the tv they made sure I knew of it. Also parents need to be more involved in a child's life. Team sports is always a great way to get you child to be active and learn how to make friends. Parents these days just want everything to be easy though. Video Games are the cheapest babysitter for a parent and so many kids have them. Parents love to place the blame on someone other then themselves, they tell game creators their games are too addicting and tell television executives that their is too much sex on tv when they have the power to stop their kids from watching it. All in all I think parents need to step up and take some responsibility for their kids.
-Patrick Larson-
I think that it may be a little bit our fault, kids learn from their parents and their parents have to monitor how much junk food and how much couch time these kids get. It is important for parents to make their kids play outside and make them eat well for their own sake.
Pat Busey
I think that most parents in our day of age has gotten really lazy and they don't do enough activities with their children. For instance all day you sit in the house and watch t.v. and eat constantly have something to drink you are teaching your children how to be a couch potatoe. If you took your children outside to play or to a park or even if it isn't suitable for them to play outside you can still take them to places that have indoor activities like ants in their pants. As much as we don't see it our children not only watch whats on t.v. they can hear it and they pick up stuff so fast. I knew someone that would have sex in front of their 2yr old girl and she started humping the floor alot. That could be a result in not taking their learning skills into effect. When you go and eat sit at a table and eat as a family not in front of the t.v., go outside enjoy activties with your child. Don't sit inside all day, even if you have to make up games as you go, you are teaching your children how to exercise and so much more instead of being a couch potatoe.
Jennifer J
I think people do promote unhealthy habits in their children. Sometimes it's just easier to sit your kid in front of the tv or give them an unhealthy snack. From a very young age we teach our kids that both of these are ok, sometimes even in excess. It doesn't become a problem until the parent teaches the child that tv and unhealthy habits are ok to practice all the time. I also don't think enough emphasis is put on exercise. Unless a student plays a sport in high school, they really don't get much at all. PE classes in high school are a joke. Students can easily choose to not do any real excercise but still get credit. I think more emphasis should be put on healthy lifestyles.
Yes i think that Tv is giving our youth bad ideas. we also get bad ideas from all the commericals that are put on tv, i think that some of the commercials make people dumber. And like a few other people have said that there are to many fast food ads and i think that makes the kids want to eat more fast food rather than healty food. Also i think that all the sporting events that are shown on Tv is also really bad to because it makes the kids want to sit inside and watch the tv, rather than going outside and doing something that burns calories.
Phillip Poppe
I think these are very good questions. I am a mother of two boys, and I am very adamant about what they are able to watch on television. I have restricted some of the cartoons on Toon Disney, Nickoldeon, and Cartoon Network. Some of the cartoons are using inappropriate behavior I do not want my kids thinking as proper. Some people think cartoons are harmless, I believe otherwise. If you allow your child to sit in front of the television all day or night; they are learning what they watch. I encourage healthy eating habits and foods in their diets. I encourage outdoor activities to promote exercise. My five year old has a VSmile system, which I find to be very educational. He doesn't play with it much, every once in a blue moon. We do visit McDonalds two or three times a month as a reward. They understand what is junk food and what is healthy. Jaden (my 5 year old), understands that too much sugar is bad for him. I am thankful he listens and understand right from wrong. I can only pray this behavior continues as he and his brother get older. The other day, he said to me pop was bad for us, and I told him I know. He asked, "then why do you drink it?" I just told him that mommy shoudln't drink it, but really likes it. Cheri A
I believe that the fast food industry is promoting unhealthy eating habits by sending messages to young kids through toys. Every kid that I know that passes by mcdonalds knows the golden arches. It's one thing to allow your child to eat fast food every once in a while, but with today's society always on the go, many parents find it easier to go through a drive thru than to give their child a balanced meal.The fast food industry advertises far and away more than anything else in America. Even when you try and go into a grocery store, they are trying to get you to buy certain products with false advertisements.
Charlie Ramshaw 12:00
I do believe childrens health issues are very important. We should be more concerned about the health of our children. I am personally concerned it has become rare to see children playing outside. When I was a child my parents had to call out my name for me to finally come inside. I enjoyed being outside, but not everybody does. When I drive by parks that I used to enjoy playing at, they are now bare. I did watch, in my opinion, a lot of television, but I eventually would get bored with it. I think video games have changed kids judgements and habits about boredom. Video games don't have commercial breaks, therefore it's harder to divert the childs attention. Games have been designed for extended play, so the children can sit and play it all day. The Nintendo Wii has taken the better health of our children into consideration. They designed the system, so kids are constantly moving while playing the game. The system allows the children and parents to keep track of the time spent playing. After a certain amount of hours, the game will ask you if you would like to take a break. This may allow the children to be aware of the time they spend playing games.
T.V. viewing seems to be a problem for some children, they sit and flip the channels almost as much as adults. The problem with this, is that the children are more vulnerable during these important times in their lives. These years are best used for knowledge based training. If the children learn to get their knowledge primarily from T.V., it may be dangerous. Chidren should gain their knowledge from every medium, I don't think cutting out T.V. altogether is a good idea. Children need to learn: periodicals, books, T.V., radio, internet, and others are the best way to obtain knowledge, together. A healthy balance of these mediums everyday, will help children along their way. This will also teach children better problem-solving skills. They won't turn to primarily one medium when situations arise.
I don't believe that there is too much violence or too much sex on television. I am concerned that violence has become more acceptable than sex. We, as a society, have made it easier for kids to live their obesity, rather than fixing the problem.
I don't have kids myself, but my ex-girlfriend had a daughter that looked up to me. I took the the stance, that I needed exercise and she needed exercise, so I would run around and play with her. Eventually she would meet and start to play with someone her own age. I would, then, sit down and relax, while she played. The park was the best place for this, because there was other parents that had the same idea there.
We would go to fast food restaurants once or twice a week, most of the time her mother or I would cook for her. I really like grill cheese and macaroni and cheese, as did she, so it was simple and healthy. I feel that if the meals are well balanced, you can afford to splurge and eat unhealthy foods occasionally. She really liked watching T.V., which I saw as a potential problem, but it was a good means for setting punishments. "You won't get to watch T.V. tonight," were the words she dreaded. She realized it was a privilege to watch T.V. I would watch certain shows and movies with her, like fairly odd parents and Labyrinth. She didn't have any video games, thankfully, I think she would of enjoyed them too much. She probably would have played video games rather than T.V.
Aaron Peters
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