"You people just don't understand, obesity is a disease!"
Whatever, CKDragon.
The last time I saw ya, you weren't obese, so why defend that and discourage people who could help themselves? Do you happen to be one of those doctors in the medical entity who are suggesting branding obesity genetic? :Q
Don't get me wrong, I know there are some gentic conditions that could lead to this, but come on! Most of American families are overweight 'cuz of their choices.
Anyway, DaveSohmer, besides the link someone provided you, I think the equation is pretty easy to understand: Don't feed your kids with junks they cry for. Feed them healthy foods like vegetables and fruits. And then once in a blue moon or once or twice every month they can have junk foods.
My parents never bought me junk foods, except once in a blue moon. I had to save the little cents to afford myself any junks I wanted to have, except if I went to a birthday party for instance where there were all of those junks for free.
I am saddened when often I see mothers with sons or daughters overweight. The saddest part is that the mother herself is not fat, in fact she's slender. Then I start to wonder how that could be? I then notice and figure that she or the father buys the kid(s) foods he (or she) seeks. They buy all of those junks like cheese, burgers, ready-made fatty foods, etc. Many times the women themselves don't eat this or eat so little of it, but they let their kids not only eat that on a regular basis but so much of it. Moderation, my firends, is good for you.
Well, on another note: Again, I do not think this so-called epidemic is just hitting poor folks. It is affecting wealthy folks too who must buy their kids what's latest on TV. And then the kids stay home most of the time playing video games or watching TV. As stated, all of those childhood games we had the advantage of playing outside with our fellow friends is no longer visible 'cuz technology is seen as an alternative. Yes, for the poor it might be 'cuz the area they live at is unsafe or poverty cannot afford them a gym, but I doubt one needs do that to maintain a reasonable weight. One can simply control one's food intake and exercise right in one's house. Wealthiness only helps families here in that they can put the burden of staying in shape upon the trainers to help their kids. My sis constantly gets overweight kids and adults to help every week as a personal trainer. Nonetheless, the gym is simply a luxury that is good if you can afford it, but you don't have to be there to lose weight or maintain a good shape.