I read an article the other day about childhood obesity in America. The author blamed fast food restaurants for the problem. The writer stated that the meals offer little nutrition and have high amounts of fat. They claim this is the major culprit for today’s problem. The article calls for the eateries to cease targeting children with kids’ meals and advertising aimed specifically at them. Some states have even passed legislation that prohibits the businesses from offering prizes and toys to our precious little ones.
This may seem to be a good fix for the problem, to some people. We can place the blame on the corporations that feed our nation. However, I think we need to place the blame where it truly belongs. It is the parents that are the cause of the problem. Many people may want to argue with me and blame someone else. But, it is the adults that allow our children to devour one greasy burger after another. If we didn’t take our children to these establishments, they would not be in business at all.
In fact, it seems that many parents encourage the behavior in their offspring. Children learn their behavior at a young age from those around them. They tend to mimic the behavior of their parents. This can be seen in the number of American families that are, “supersized,” themselves. A parent that takes their child out and orders a quadruple sized meal, with a liter of soda, tells them that this behavior is acceptable and normal. The child will do the same as they grow older. Give it a few more years and the portions will be twice the size they are now.
I know that many parents work and feel they have little time to cook. Fast food is an easy option for them. I understand, both my wife and I work. However, she believes that the children should have healthy home cooked meals. Breakfast and dinners are usually prepared, not bought. Juices and fruit are preferred to soda and candy. I’ve seen my daughters pick strawberries over a piece of chocolate many times. I wish I was able to do that too.
My children do love to go to the local, “joints,”. It is fun for them to get nuggets, a burger, and a toy. We do indulge them every once in a while. This does not happen all the time. “No,” is the answer we give the majority of the time. There may be some whining and crying, but that ends quickly. It is tough being a parent. Telling your child they can’t have something they want hurts sometimes. Yet, denying them some things is better for them. Being told you are evil is good at times.
I know that people hate to take responsibility for their problems today. When it comes to our youth, we need to. The fast food restaurants are not good for the health of our nation. They would not be as prominent, if parents didn’t choose them for quick meals. Americans need to make a tough choice. It is time for parents to prepare more good meals and to send our children outside to play. Otherwise, it won’t be long before we are a nation of obese individuals. Can you imagine having to provide a traffic cop in the malls to direct all the people riding electric scooters?
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