I cringed on the inside

Published

Specializes in Telemetry.

I'm going to preface this by saying I'm only venting and don't mean to come across as overly harsh.

My daughter's friend (she is) is on her cheerleading squad, and the friend's mom has a son who is 9 and plays football. Both kids are seriously overweight/obese. Friend's mom tells me today she took him to the dr. to get a physical before playing sports and his cholesterol came back 260. The kid has asthma as well.

Seriously, am I the only one who gets a bit annoyed with parents about things like this?? I mean, I know, some people don't understand or know any better, some kids have medical problems etc. But this truly drives me crazy- parents are in control of what their kids eat, and to do this to their kids- cause health problems because they can't figure out not to feed their kids crap and to get them out from in front of the TV... I just find it completely unacceptable. Its all very easily preventable.

I don't mean to come off as insensitive, and my reaction was supportive and I was respectful and tactful and suggested some things that might help (reducing fat, reducing packaged foods, more veggies/fruits, less sugar, and more exercise), but seriously on the inside I was really annoyed.

Just venting, looking for thoughts.

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yep, quite honestly, i get annoyed too.

while it's one thing to make choices for yourself, it's not fair to inflict these problems on your/a child.

i cringe along w/you, beach.

leslie

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

Sometimes I think parents let their kids eat junk food so they shut up. Not trying to sound harsh either. I was at a rest-stop a couple years ago and it had a Wendys and Baskin robbins in it. I saw a girl, she had to be about 8 or 9 with a huge sundae and she was obese for her age. I'm sorry but her mom and dad need to be slapped a couple of times. A girl her age and her weight does not need a huge sundae, which I might add has NO nutritional value.

When I have kids: TV will be restricted to an hour each day, READING will be encouraged, and they will have no fast food unless under some unforeseen circumstance. Definately no soda either...

Those kids are just a couple years away from diabetes and possible heart ailments.

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Specializes in Telemetry.

You know what else got me? She was standing by me during practice and her son was at the other end with his team and she mentioned something about what he was doing in practice (and since they all look about the same to me when they are all geared up) I asked which one he was and she says "Hes the biggest one on the team" like she was proud and that was a good thing. :banghead:

Every day (practice was 5 days a week) she brings a soda for her daughter to drink on "water breaks" during practice.:banghead::banghead:

Figured since no one has called me a judgmental b!*ch yet I'd add my thoughts! :chuckle:

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Specializes in NICU.

Not just you.

Some people just don't seem to understand what life-long problems they set their children up for. My parents raised two obese children, and it took my brother and I into our 30's to have a healthy BMI. I've struggled with thyroid issues, joint problems, and on and on. Even though my weight is normal now, those issues will haunt my body and quite possibly shorten my lifespan as well as cost me more $$ in lost wages and healthcare costs.

I try not to militant with MY kids, but you can bet that we're a fruits and veggies loving house! Working on some happy :redbeathes!

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I know exactly what you mean. A friend of mine is morbidly obese and over time her children have become obese also. It makes me angry and sad for the kids.They're so beautiful, but her 10 yo weighs more than me! If u wanna stuff yourself with junk go ahead, but don't do it to your kids. I became overweight after having kids but now I'm doing something about it and I encourage my kids to make healthy choices so they don't become overweight.

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Specializes in ICU/Critical Care.

My mom always said I'd be a tyrannt when I have kids. Mainly because I don't want them to have to go through what I went through being the "fat kid" in school.

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Specializes in nursery, L and D.

Ok, OK, I'll chime in from the other side. I have a 12 y/o ds that is "technically" overweight. He is 5'4" and 140lbs. Our ped is very obese, lol, and has not mentioned it. My son could give lessons in healthy eating/living, and mostly follows a pretty strict (self-inflicted) diet. No sodas, high cal foods, junk food, etc. He reads labels, knows all about calories/carbs/protein/fat grams. He exercises much more frequently than my 10 y/o ds, that is skinny as a twig. I have to monitor 10y/o ds diet sooooo much more closely than 12y/o, as left to his own devices he would eat "hot fries" and chocolate cupcakes exclusively.

Who knows what goes on in the families homes? In mine, we do occasionally have "junk" on the shelves, but there is also fresh fruit and bottled water, grilled chicken, fresh vegs, etc. My 12y/o makes good choices 99% of the time, the 10y/o (if left to him) would be 15% of the time. The 12y/o is overweight! Go figure...... The same parents, same home, I just don't get it.

What is really sad is that the 12y/o really cares about his appearance (preteen, ya know) and the 10y/o could care less, he is my little slob, lol.

But parents do have a responsibility to teach their kids about nutrition and basic health, and help them make good choices, and have those choices available for them. If they can't or won't do that, I hope someone in their life does speak up about it, hopefully the pedi.

I will get off the soapbox now, and let someone else take a turn, just wanted to give a perspective from a Mom of an "overweight" kid.

ETA: the reason I keep putting "overweight" in " " is b/c it is kind of up to which theory you go with if he really is "overweight".

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.

Yep. I cringe too. I also cringe when I have little 2 and 3-year old patients that have parents requesting pop for them to drink. And they wonder why their teeth are all rotting out!

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
When I have kids: TV will be restricted to an hour each day, READING will be encouraged...

As someone with a soon-to-be 7-year-old let me suggest that you drop that 1 hour to 0 hours. Reading, playing, whatever... just something that gets the mind going... the body usually follows.

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I also cringe when I have little 2 and 3-year old patients that have parents requesting pop for them to drink. And they wonder why their teeth are all rotting out!

Yep, they should give 'em beer.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
You know what else got me? She was standing by me during practice and her son was at the other end with his team and she mentioned something about what he was doing in practice (and since they all look about the same to me when they are all geared up) I asked which one he was and she says "Hes the biggest one on the team" like she was proud and that was a good thing. :banghead:

Every day (practice was 5 days a week) she brings a soda for her daughter to drink on "water breaks" during practice.:banghead::banghead:

Figured since no one has called me a judgmental b!*ch yet I'd add my thoughts! :chuckle:

Why you judgmental b*...

No, not really.

I totally agree with you. Very, very sad.

Even sadder when you watch your spouse or ex doing it to your own kid :cry:

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