It is already established that the notion of ‘puppy fat’ is a fallacy; overweight children do not simply ‘grow out of it’. Overweight children often transition into overweight adults.
Additionally, children are quite clever in their own mischievous ways, sneaking treats when parents aren’t watching and suppressing giggles when questioned about who devoured all the pies.
Frequently, parents overlook the signs that their children are heading towards an issue…an issue that increasingly impacts families from various social backgrounds.
From sink schools to prep schools, chubby kids are becoming standard. Moreover, if all the other eight-year-old boys allow their shirts to hang loosely instead of tucking them in, it can resemble a fashion choice rather than an intentional effort to conceal excess weight.
If your child blends in with the crowd, why should you feel concerned? Some parents even find solace in their children’s overeating: traditionally, a ‘good appetite’ is seen as a sign of good health, and we are typically warned to watch out for anorexia, aren’t we?
Last Christmas, a friend was faced with the concern of her child’s weight, which culminated in the admission of her toddler granddaughter into the hospital.
She was adamantly refusing to eat, her weight was plummeting, and as a family, we were extremely worried.
When she unexpectedly decided to eat again, the relief was palpable; she was granted any and all requests for food.
Later, as she regained her health, the parents had to remind themselves to trade that relief for practicality and modify her diet accordingly.
What if they hadn’t?
What if the anxieties from the past had clouded my friend’s judgment regarding the possibility of her being overweight in the future, leading us to simply allow her to indulge in whatever she desired?
Would it have been just to label us as negligent?
I do understand the plight of parents in many circumstances.
Nevertheless, despite my sympathy, despite my aversion to governmental interference, and despite my endorsement of parental authority, I believe Dr. Ludwig is correct.
Clearly, no one should advocate for removing children from their families due to a modest weight issue, except as a measure of last resort. However, it is equally clear that proactive measures concerning obesity are long overdue.
It is already known that one in ten children are classified as obese when they start primary school, increasing to one in five upon completion at age 11…and this statistic holds steady through secondary school.
It is already established that the concept of ‘puppy fat’ is a fallacy. Overweight children do not simply ‘grow out of it’. Overweight children transition into overweight adults.
by Susan Floyd
