From Georgia's recent anti-obesity campaign. Photo Credit: Strong4Life.org

A report this week from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health looks at a correlation between school-based obesity prevention programs and children who exhibit at least one behavior that could indicate the development of an eating disorder. The report asserts that obesity prevention programs in schools may increase the likelihood of these behaviors. Essentially, that anti-obesity programs are scaring kids into starving themselves or over-exercising.

As a mom of 3 and a Public Health professional, this assertion has me concerned. There are 4 reasons why this study makes me pause:

1.This is one poll. There are thousands of studies that show that anti-obesity education programs effect positive behavior change.

The research shows that education is a crucial component of prevention. The results from one survey can’t possibly be significant enough to undermine the value and validity of all school-based obesity prevention programs. There are a myriad reasons and correlative effects that could account for the negative behaviors noted in the survey.  The most significant of which is the age of the students in question (they ranged in age from 6-14).  It is precisely at this age when body image begins to affect behavior — which is why the need for health education remains so important.  Continue reading »

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Dad's weight is a predictor for his kids' weight.

Have a seat, Moms. A new study has found that for once, it might not be your fault. Or at least not entirely. Instead, researchers are pointing their fingers at dads.

A child obesity study, published this month in the International Journal of Obesity, concluded that children of men who are overweight might be at higher risk for obesity themselves. In fact, even if mom was obese, there was no increased risk of obesity for the child so long as dad was normal weight.

Well now! Continue reading »

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Will these ads further stigmatize kids with weight problems?

Is the site of a chubby kid — in an effort to prevent more chubby kids — offensive to other chubby kids?

The state of Georgia has an anti-obesity campaign featuring images of some chubby kids. The Georgia Children’s Health Alliance said the ads were necessary to “jar parents of obese kids out of a state of denial that their children had a problem,” according to CBS News.

But some parents and activists argue the ads will only add to the stigma of kids struggling with their weight, and that “stigma is not an effective motivator.”

The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance said, “Billboards depicting fat kids are extraordinarily harmful to the very kids they are supposedly trying to help.”

Take a look at the ads in the campaign (via Strong4Life.com) and see if you think the ads or more harmful than helpful:

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Whether you take your kids to McDonald’s or not, you have to admit their marketing team really put their thinking caps on for this one.

As you have probably heard, the city of San Francisco decided to institute a ban on Happy Meals (meals that include toys) because they aren’t up to nutritional standards — and that ban is set to take effect tomorrow, December 1st. This ban is intended to draw attention to childhood obesity and help parents make healthier choices for their children because the lure of the toy would no longer be available.

Now, assuming you even think this is the case… that parents and kids will make different choices without a toy calling their name,  (I don’t)… you still have to admit, it seems McDonald’s has found a way to way to outsmart the city’s lawmakers.  Sure the toy won’t come with the Happy Meal, but you can still get one.  Cheap.  Oh?  And now, when you do, you’re helping charity.

Here’s the story.  Watch and share your thoughts.

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I knew this day was coming.  My small girl is seven years old.  So, I knew it was only a matter of time before she let me know she recognized her size and her weight – and told me if she was happy in her own skin.  And asked what I thought of mine. I’ll be honest, I was hoping her innocence about all things body image would last a bit longer – say until she is 22 or so(*insert wishful thinking*), but, I suppose that isn’t realistic.

She is surrounded by images in the media – she doesn’t watch much in the way of television that might force the issue, but I certainly can’t force her to wear blinders in the check-out line at the grocer store.  Body images, both large and small are plastered on the covers of magazines.

And it was just such a magazine cover today that prompted our conversation.  My small girl has never heard me criticize myself physically. (Not that I don’t recognize my own flaws, but that I have deliberately chosen to keep all, “I feel fat in this”, “I hate my (insert body part)”, “I really need to head to the gym because I ate too many cookies” comments to myself in her presence.)

Continue reading »

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Georgia Children's Health Alliance created the new anti-obesity campaign which features images of obese children.

Georgia has released a new ad campaign to raise awareness of the problem with childhood obesity. The ads are shot in black and white, somber, and draw a very clear picture on why children are becoming obese and what the repercussions are — at the doctor’s office and the playground. The billboards feature photos of overweight children and slogans like, “Big bones didn’t make me this way. Big meals did.”

The website StopChildhoodObesity.com clearly states, “Georgia has a childhood obesity problem and a community that has had enough.” Continuing at the bottom of the page, “Ignoring this problem is what got us here. It’s time to wake up.”

While some fear that the campaign will only increase the stigma and discrimination against the overweight, others are applauding the campaign for its audacious attempt to get people to listen. Per the CBS News website, the Georgia Children’s Health Alliance defends the campaign, saying it needed to “jar parents of obese kids out of a state of denial that their children had a problem.” Continue reading »

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