Obesity on Arthur

[kristing]

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If you are a fan of Arthur, or have some insight into this show, I would appreciate it, since we are going to be (or are) pediatricians.

So I was watching Arthur today with my sick child, who's home from school, and it was a new episode dealing with obesity. Usually, I love this show, but the episode today was kind of odd. Arthur couldn't fit into his costume for the school play because he found out he was "husky". And then he was very distressed about it and went on and on about how he was fat. Of course, the solution turned out to be good - after discussing how diets don't work, that eating a variety of foods is best for children, and then realizing how inactive he was and the solution was about getting more active...

But I guess my problem as a parent and a future pediatrician is the emphasis on how he felt horrible about being fat, when NO ONE CALLED HIM FAT and if you look at Arthur, he is obviously not fat. I know childhood obesity is a real problem in this country. And I know that we need to do something about it, but Arthur is in 3rd grade, and it bothers me that we have to discuss this in a way that re-emphasizes our body-concious culture.

Thoughts?

 

[edmadison]

Interesting point. I really hate to say this, but our body-conscious culture is one of the few things that actually motivates people to lose weight. I think it's pretty clear that people don't do things for health reasons. They minimize the negative health effects (my cousin Bob smoked for 60 years and never got sick) or expect that a pill will cure them. Try getting a fat teenager who doesn't mind their large size to lose weight -- virtually impossible, especially if they come from a family who is large and doesn't mind it.

I don't know what the answer is. My program is all into screening for obesity, tracking BMI, getting labs for insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome. But then what? Has anybody found any good weight loss programs for kids?

Ed

 

[kem]

I hadn't thought about our body-conscious culture as a positive thing before - as a way to motivate people to lose weight. Interesting thought! 🙂

I'd guess what bothers me about our body-conscious culture is that instead of only getting people who are so overweight as to cause medical problems to lose weight, almost everybody (especially women) feels like they have to lose weight. People are in a constant state of dieting and guilt about food. There are disturbing statistics (though I can't remember them exactly offhand) about a large percentage of 9 YEAR OLDS saying that they need to "diet" or look "fat".

So I'm always struggling with how to tell people to lose weight for medical reasons without feeling like I am telling them they need to look like a fashion model.

🙂 kem

 

[kristing]

Yeah - I don't know if being body concious is a good motivator. It seems to me (and this is just speculation, no real facts or statistics here), that it drives the ridiculous diet industry in this country. When I was in Europe, people were much less body judgemental/concious and much healthier - people were more active, ate better, etc.

 

[v-tach]

Yeah - I don't know if being body concious is a good motivator. It seems to me (and this is just speculation, no real facts or statistics here), that it drives the ridiculous diet industry in this country. When I was in Europe, people were much less body judgemental/concious and much healthier - people were more active, ate better, etc.

I can see the point about body consciousness motivating people to lose weight. However, I think it is more destructive than constructive. People (especially women) often feel like they have to fit into the so-called "ideal" body type, when the fact is that we're all made a little differently (however, I don't think this is an excuse for someone who is really overweight--it just means that there are a range of body types). In other words, sometimes people end up striving for something completely unrealistic, just because society is so wrapped up in appearance. A much better motivator would be general health and fitness, just taking good care of one's body rather than trying to make it fit a "mold" that may not even be possible. Hope this wasn't too much rambling... 🙂

 

[TexasRose]

Interesting post, given my train of thought lately. I remember watching Shrek with my son and having him lean over to me during the movie and say that Princess Fiona was so sad because she was fat. It bothered me that a child's movie was reinforcing the idea that fat is ugly and something to be ashamed of and that she should have to hide herself. Yes, it was about her being a ogre, and the lesson is to accept yourself, but I believe the message my 6 year old got was that being fat is shameful and embarrassing.

I've also noticed that while we as a society frown on making fun of people for disabilities, skin color, or nationality, we encourage making fun of those who are fat. Awfully contradictory messages, and doubly damaging for children who are overweight.

And as my middle-school aged daughter can tell you, having a round face is reason enough to be teased in school. My kid is very thin and yet looks at food as potential fat makers. (she gets this from peers)

I think it's detrimental, not motivating for young people. It creates some of that vicious cycle where being heavy leads to embarrassment and unhappiness and, more eating!

 

[kas23]

I've also noticed that while we as a society frown on making fun of people for disabilities, skin color, or nationality, we encourage making fun of those who are fat. Awfully contradictory messages, and doubly damaging for children who are overweight.

Good point, but skin color, disabilities, and nationality are all characteristics that cannot be changed, and they are usually not detrimental to your health. Therefore, we should never look upon them in a negative light.

Being obese is a choice. It may not be a choice for a child, but it definitely is for the parents who bring home crap to eat and who frequent the fastfood drive-thrus. As a future pediatrician (who detests childhood obesity), I will firmly place the blame on the parent and try to help them help their kids.

And what we should also be doing as a society is teaching kids how to eat the right foods, just as well as we teach them to "just say no."

 

[kristing]

Good point, but skin color, disabilities, and nationality are all characteristics that cannot be changed, and they are usually not detrimental to your health. Therefore, we should never look upon them in a negative light.

Being obese is a choice. It may not be a choice for a child, but it definitely is for the parents who bring home crap to eat and who frequent the fastfood drive-thrus. As a future pediatrician (who detests childhood obesity), I will firmly place the blame on the parent and try to help them help their kids.

And what we should also be doing as a society is teaching kids how to eat the right foods, just as well as we teach them to "just say no."

I am in my early 30s and I remember having free reign being able to go to the park, ride my bike, walk to the store from about the time I was 8 or 9. Before that, I could go as long as I went with one of my older siblings.

Nowadays, there is no way I would let my son have this sort of freedom. And I live right next door to where I grew up.

Crappy food, of course plays a role. But the lack of activity I would think is an equal or worse issue.

My kid gets PE in school twice a week. In high school here in AZ, students are only required to have one year of PE to graduate.

We need to do something about this inactivity issue.

 

[clkimmey]

i don't think that motivation to lose weight should be an issue. if an obese woman just wants to fit into a particular wedding dress, that's fine.

it's their methods of weight loss that are detrimental. "eat less, move more" isn't complicated. but fad diets and diet pills can do just as much harm as their extra body mass. the only real way for them to succeed is to change their overall habits.

doing what is best is difficult and takes to long to see results for most people. it's a real shame that our society has no patience, and obviously very little commo sense.

 

[kas23]

I am in my early 30s and I remember having free reign being able to go to the park, ride my bike, walk to the store from about the time I was 8 or 9. Before that, I could go as long as I went with one of my older siblings.

Nowadays, there is no way I would let my son have this sort of freedom. And I live right next door to where I grew up.

Crappy food, of course plays a role. But the lack of activity I would think is an equal or worse issue.

My kid gets PE in school twice a week. In high school here in AZ, students are only required to have one year of PE to graduate.

We need to do something about this inactivity issue.

I agree, inactivity nowadays is an important issue.

However, in terms of weight loss, activity/exercise is overrated. By jogging a mile, you only burn about 300 calories. A person can exercise till they are blue, but they are not going to lose weight unless they cut down on the calories.

Don't get me wrong. Exercise for a child is essential. But, it serves many more important roles than weight loss. It stimulates growth, improves heart function, serves to help increase self-esteem, adjusts the child to living a healthy lifestyle, the list can go on and on.... So, yes, we do need to do something about this inactivity issue. And everyone is all up in arms about schools PE programs. When I was smaller, PE accounted for about 20% of my physical activity. The problem is the parents who say "my kid is in gym class at school, so they can sit around all night and all day at home playing video games and watching DVDs."

 

[kristing]

And everyone is all up in arms about schools PE programs. When I was smaller, PE accounted for about 20% of my physical activity. The problem is the parents who say "my kid is in gym class at school, so they can sit around all night and all day at home playing video games and watching DVDs."

Oh I agree that PE is just one part of the equation. But we have to look at it and other ways for kids to get active at school. In the Tucson Unified school district, PE teachers salaries are not covered unless the PTA pays for it. There are several elementary schools that don't have recess for kids.

And I disagree that for weight loss that activity/exercise is overrated.
I think clkimmey has a good point in that we hate to wait in our society.

 

[kas23]

http://www.caloriecounter.co.uk/fit_burn.asp

I run to Krispy Kreme for one-half hour, eat a boston creme doughnut, then run back home for another one-half hour. The result, I neither gain, nor lose a pound.

Or, I can be one of those "health-conscience" people (put my sweat head-band and my spandex jogging pants on) and run one full hour to Starbucks, drink a venti carmel machiato or an eggnog latte, then run one full hour back home and...viola! I gain weight.

Magic? I think not.

 

[jlittlej]

yep

 

[TexasRose]

Being obese is a choice. It may not be a choice for a child, but it definitely is for the parents who bring home crap to eat and who frequent the fastfood drive-thrus. As a future pediatrician (who detests childhood obesity), I will firmly place the blame on the parent and try to help them help their kids.

I honestly believe that placing blame and judging people will make for a very ineffective physician. The parents in your practice will not take anything you say to heart if you start by blaming them.

 

[kas23]

I only believe in taking responsibility for one's actions. People can't play the victim all the time. And I never "judge" anyone. If people want to overeat, that is their choice. I will not come to any conclusion about what kind of people they are due to this. But, I will never fail to recognize that they are making poor lifestyle choices in regards to their nutrition and I will try my best to educate them of this. That's all. I'm really not trying to pick any fights. 🙂

 

[TexasRose]

I only believe in taking responsibility for one's actions. People can't play the victim all the time. And I never "judge" anyone. If people want to overeat, that is their choice. I will not come to any conclusion about what kind of people they are due to this. But, I will never fail to recognize that they are making poor lifestyle choices in regards to their nutrition and I will try my best to educate them of this. That's all. I'm really not trying to pick any fights. 🙂

Sorry, I misunderstood the tone of your reply earlier. I completely agree with your point here.
🙂

 

[kristing]

So they replayed this episode this morning and my husband saw it and thought it was great. He stressed that no one ever made forn of Arthur - he figured it out on his own because his costume didn't fit and everyone was supportive of his decision to get more active (even DW, his little sister who is usually the protagonist on the show).

I don't know. Maybe I overreacted. And it is good that it's being addressed in a kids, show I suppose... I just used to be a teacher and saw so many girls obsess about their appearance... But then again, if kids are going to do it anyway, at least this gives them appropriate solutions.

I'm just rambling my thoughts away.

 

[wanderso]

I've also noticed that while we as a society frown on making fun of people for disabilities, skin color, or nationality, we encourage making fun of those who are fat. Awfully contradictory messages, and doubly damaging for children who are overweight.

Good point, but skin color, disabilities, and nationality are all characteristics that cannot be changed, and they are usually not detrimental to your health. Therefore, we should never look upon them in a negative light.

Being obese is a choice. It may not be a choice for a child, but it definitely is for the parents who bring home crap to eat and who frequent the fastfood drive-thrus. As a future pediatrician (who detests childhood obesity), I will firmly place the blame on the parent and try to help them help their kids.

And what we should also be doing as a society is teaching kids how to eat the right foods, just as well as we teach them to "just say no."

I understand what you are saying. Although, I can't believe you would make a comment such as "Being obese is a choice." In our age of exponential scientific advancement we know that obesity isn't necessarily the result of bad decisions. Also, you can blame parents for bringing home junk, but if that is all a parent can afford than that is all they can afford. This speaks poorly of our government and society. The rich eat rich and the poor eat poor. Have you ever had to buy bad food because you couldn't afford quailty food? Huh? Have you? Well if you can honestly answer this question, and know I don't mean buying a frozen burrito and a bag of chips, I mean having to buy crap because it was "buy one get 3 free for 25 cents". Some people can't afford to buy their children porterhouse steaks, salmon, shrimp, lobster, chicken breasts, fresh fruits and vegetables. Another issue that is of great importance involves the pscyhology behind all of this. Not only can numerous parents not afford the good foods, they also feel terrible for not being able to provide for their child's entertainment needs. When you can't afford to get your child into extracurricular activities, to take them to the movies, to take them on vacations, to buy them new clothes what is the one thing you can reward or share with them? FOOD... candy, junk, McDonald's etc... So, before you fully blame parents and before you dare say that Obesity is a choice you need to have a better understanding of different socioeconomic environments.

 

[kas23]

Have you ever had to buy bad food because you couldn't afford quailty food? Huh? Have you?

This has to be the best part of your post. I can see it played out in the movie 8 Mile....

But to answer you question, in college I did not eat very well at all. Most nights I had to eat eggs and toast and white rice with ground hamburger in it. Anyways, I don't have to go through my whole menu with you. But my point is this is cheap food, but relatively low in calories. I never could afford cereal like Lucky Charms or Coco Puffs, there just too much money. I never could buy cookies, people would just bring me back fruit from the dining hall. And candy was definitely out of the question.

Oh, have you every heard of food stamps? They mean you can get quality food for free. Have you ever seen a food stamp before.

And do you know that the majority of the world is living below the poverty line as defined by the United States' standards? Is the majority of the world overweight? Huh? Do you know this? (Sorry, I had to steal this quote from you).

And about the entertainment issue; have you ever been in a movie theatre in a underserved area around 9pm in an R-rated movie? Have you noticed all the kids in there? It disgusting. And if you look closely, you may even see a bag of popcorn in their hands