Leave the word obesity for adults
Obesity in children has been in the press at least twice over the last month or two.
I’d like to tell you my experience with our son.
I have a height complex in my family these days as I am now the shortest one! All big tall people, large genes on both side of the family, and fortunately very healthy.
Our son was a good head over most kids in primary school and while writing this I do remember a maternal and child health nurse suggesting a concern that he was too large as a toddler.
He was involved in and loved all kinds of sport and held a state title for shot put and a team swim. And footie was on every weekend.
We had healthy food in the house and the odd treat. I say the odd treat as I think it’s good to teach kids moderation rather than abstinence. He was also a second child!
When he was in later primary school he grew considerably in weight and height. He would have been diagnosed as obese, although fortunately that didn’t happen.
The long and the short of it was that, within what seemed like no time at all, he grew like a bean stalk and didn’t have an ounce of fat on him. And stayed that way to this day. He’s now 26.
I really don’t think we should put pressure on kids about eating. I think these things sort themselves out over time.
We definitely need to lead by example and present lots of healthy choices, but don’t put thoughts in their heads that something is wrong. Leave the word obesity for adults.
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