Lancelot
Full time employment: Posting here.
IT's a cool 75F as I write this by my pool side cabana. May have to change into long pants soon, oh how I've adjusted to balmy Thailand...
Back to my topic, a few evenings ago I saw a program on Australia Broadcasting Company (ABC) about overweight kids in Australia. ABC interviewed parents, representatives from fast food restaurants and the Aussie Health Minister. It was interesting because this is becomming a common topic in the developed world (poor kids in the third world don't seem to have this problem as of this writing- wonder why...)
Anyway, one Aussie parent was slamming that ubiquitious American institution, McD's, soft drink producers and supermarkets for having "an abundance of unhealthy foods available to children." She was at a loss as to stop Junior from putting fattening snacks in the shopping cart...
Obese children were also interviewed and, in general, they cited boredom and constant snacking while watching TV as major contributors to their weight. Exercise (physical play) seemed to be an unfamiliar activety.
The Health Minister pretty much dismissed the complaints, in the vein of "No one can force you to eat something you don't want and parents are responsible for their kid's health, welfare, tec.
The parents were livid with the HM's response
It was an interesting because on my travel's around Thailand, I'm noticing more "well nourished" kids. Basically the Thais spoil their kids rotten, especially little boys.
As a kid, I can remember a few times when I put some (unauthorized) chips or Coke into the shopping cart. My Mom made me put them back; if the Old Man was in attendance, things were a bit more intense . Funny, but my parents had no qualms about saying no-and I knew enough to not put the issue.
Kids are after all our future and we certainly want them to live well and have happy, meaningful lives. It does baffle me a bit that what used to be considered a treat (a cold coke, some chips or a burger) is now considered by some as Big Business's secret plot to addict kids to junk food.
Naa, it's all pretty simple-just tell the little urchins NO!
Lance
PS-I'm heading down to 7-11 now and buy some drum sticks (ice cream) before they are added to the "controlled substance" list.
Back to my topic, a few evenings ago I saw a program on Australia Broadcasting Company (ABC) about overweight kids in Australia. ABC interviewed parents, representatives from fast food restaurants and the Aussie Health Minister. It was interesting because this is becomming a common topic in the developed world (poor kids in the third world don't seem to have this problem as of this writing- wonder why...)
Anyway, one Aussie parent was slamming that ubiquitious American institution, McD's, soft drink producers and supermarkets for having "an abundance of unhealthy foods available to children." She was at a loss as to stop Junior from putting fattening snacks in the shopping cart...
Obese children were also interviewed and, in general, they cited boredom and constant snacking while watching TV as major contributors to their weight. Exercise (physical play) seemed to be an unfamiliar activety.
The Health Minister pretty much dismissed the complaints, in the vein of "No one can force you to eat something you don't want and parents are responsible for their kid's health, welfare, tec.
The parents were livid with the HM's response
It was an interesting because on my travel's around Thailand, I'm noticing more "well nourished" kids. Basically the Thais spoil their kids rotten, especially little boys.
As a kid, I can remember a few times when I put some (unauthorized) chips or Coke into the shopping cart. My Mom made me put them back; if the Old Man was in attendance, things were a bit more intense . Funny, but my parents had no qualms about saying no-and I knew enough to not put the issue.
Kids are after all our future and we certainly want them to live well and have happy, meaningful lives. It does baffle me a bit that what used to be considered a treat (a cold coke, some chips or a burger) is now considered by some as Big Business's secret plot to addict kids to junk food.
Naa, it's all pretty simple-just tell the little urchins NO!
Lance
PS-I'm heading down to 7-11 now and buy some drum sticks (ice cream) before they are added to the "controlled substance" list.