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Why Our Kids Are Overweight
It’s all about a 21st century lifestyle-
high tech, high calories, high anxiety- that has to change
From Sports Illustrated, Nov 15, 2004
America’s children are heavier than ever.
Here are eight of the reasons.
GEOGRAPHY- In the latter half of the 20th
century, Americans increasingly moved from city neighborhoods to
suburbs. Kids stopped walking and riding their bicycles and got
into cars. Routine forms of exercise were lost.
FEAR- Children who were inclined to leave their homes to play
were discouraged by parents who were fearful of abduction. The
ubiquitous mile carton campaign- Have You Seen This Child?- made
kidnappings seem much more likely than they really were.
HARDWORKING PARENTS- The increase in the number of two-income
households has left kids stranded in after-school and extended
day-care programs. Before, children were outdoors burning
calories.
THE SOCCER MYTH- Organized youth teams have exploded-
particularly in soccer- but youngsters who join them play only a
couple days a week and get a fraction of the exercise they need,
often standing around awaiting their turns in static drills.
Most kids eventually slide down the talent pyramid that supplies
players to traveling teams.
EMPHASIS ON TEST SCORES- Cash- strapped schools, frightened No
Child Left Behind mandates, have shifted resources and class
time from phys ed to prepping students for standardized tests.
FAST FOOD- Mom’s baked potato has been replaced by a supersize
order of fries cooked in fat. Soft-drink machines have been
lodged in high school hallways.
TECHNOLOGY- First came television, followed by cable and digital
and hi-def. Video games evolved from Pong to Tomb Raider.
Finally came the internet and the IM monster. Children sit and
click.
A FAMILY TRAIT- The children of overweight people are often
overweight themselves, and more than 64% of the U.S. adults are
overweight.
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