I am up on my soap box today because this article makes me so angry.
North Dakota Lady Plans to Shame Obese Kids with Letters Instead of Candy on Halloween
At first, I thought this was a JOKE. Satire. It isn't. It's a nasty TRICK! This Halloween, a woman in North Dakota plans to determine which trick-or-treaters knocking on her door are obese and which ones are not and will hand out a letter about obesity or candy to each child accordingly. What gives her the right? How dare she set herself up as judge and jury! If she handed one of those letters to my kid or any kid I know; I would have to exercise every ounce of self control to keep from shoving my plastic Jack 'O Lantern right up her YOU KNOW WHAT! Handle and all! Seriously? The kids are outside. They're walking. Running. Getting exercise. Happy. Excited. It's Halloween. Give them a TREAT for goodness sake! Who the heck is she to determine who gets candy and who doesn't?
I am just as concerned about the childhood obesity problem in our nation, but SERIOUSLY, lady? This ain't the way to fix it!
You might be surprised that as an advocate of Health, Wellness and Good Nutrition, that I would even suggest giving out candy on Halloween! It's so darn unhealthy and bad for us! Yes, candy can be bad when it becomes a regular or daily over-indulgence rather than an occasional treat. I am also an advocate for children and allowing them to be children. Halloween is part of childhood. In a perfect world, kids would eat only healthy stuff on Halloween, and while we should make every effort to provide better choices for our children, indulging in sweet treats like candy and chocolate one day a year is not going to harm them. And if your child is overweight, refusing to give him candy on Halloween won't make him lose weight. What he might lose, however, is his joy and excitement about every Halloween to come and that's something you NEVER want to take away from a child. Kids see things differently. All he sees is that the other kids are getting candy and he is being punished for being a few pounds heavier than everyone else. If you want to change a child's eating habits, Halloween is NOT the day to do it. Shaming the parents of overweight children won't work, either. It won't solve the obesity problem among children in our country. Lifestyle change is the ONLY way to combat this disease and that takes time, education, dedication and love........
If this woman is REALLY concerned about her neighborhood children and their obesity problems, there are so many POSITIVE things she can do instead of shaming and humiliating them and making them feel like CRAP! Imagine being the ONLY kid in the group out trick or treating who gets a LETTER instead of candy? Imagine the teasing from the other kids? The little overweight boy or girl probably gets teased enough already. Guess what kind of back lash that's gonna cause? Most likely, a really hurting child who could grow up battling a serious eating disorder for the rest of his or her life. And it will create a bunch of really angry parents. If this lady likes her home and living in her town, she might want to reconsider handing out those letters. Remember the scene from the movie Frankenstein when all the townspeople stormed Dr. Frankenstein's castle wielding their burning torches? I am picturing something like that happening at her house. I would probably be the first in line with my torch. I hate this whole childhood obesity epidemic and I am trying to make a difference, but guess what I hate even more? Cruel, insensitive, self-righteous people who carelessly hurt children.
Okay. This is a small incident happening far away in a small town in North Dakota. I am all the way in New York. So....why am I so upset about it? Well, first of all, I think this woman is an insensitive clod. Secondly, I know SO many people with attitudes just like hers and they are not helping the issue of obesity. They are hurting it and what really burns me up is that most of them lack the experience and/or credentials to be any kind of an authority on children or nutrition. They can always go to school and get some and then....they can work with parents and kids and help change their eating habits and their lives.
There are many things ALL of us can do to raise awareness about the growing childhood obesity epidemic that don't require going to school and earning a degree. The first step is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that works. The only way to combat obesity in children or adults is to make healthier food choices and to incorporate exercise into daily life. Once again: LIFESTYLE CHANGE! When we've got that down, the next step? SHARE. Be friendly. Make friends with mothers. Fathers. Caregivers. Teachers. Counselors. Get involved. If we have school-aged children, we can join the PTA and help influence the choices of food served on the daily school lunch menu. We can contribute healthy alternatives to local bake sales and fund raisers. We can get to know some of the parents in our neighborhoods and organize a HEALTHY KID'S group. Suggest activities that get kids away from television and outdoors instead. We can bring snacks like apples and peanut butter or fruit and yogurt or cut up veggies and cheese instead of greasy chips, cookies and candy EVERYWHERE we go with our kids - the playground, the zoo, day care, dance class, gymnastics, karate..... Pack extra to share with others, but don't forget about food allergies. ALWAYS be sure to check first with a parent or teacher BEFORE you share anything with another child. We can volunteer our time at the YMCA or other youth programs. Start a cooking club or a healthy recipe swap meet at our homes, in our church, at the town hall or country club. Become Girl Scout or Boy Scout leaders. Coach softball or soccer or basketball. Coaching is a great platform for teaching kids about healthy eating - the better they eat; the better they will perform! HELLO!!! Instead serving of the usual sugary juice and cheap cookies to the kids in Sunday School; why not bring in fruit and healthier snacks and drinks?
These just a few suggestions on how to start to making simple changes and small differences in the lives of others. One step at a time, we can put a dent in childhood obesity if we are willing to do our part. Kids learn and change by EXAMPLE. They won't learn or change a thing by HUMILIATION. Adults won't either.......
I am stepping off my soapbox now. Thank you. Have a very safe and Happy Halloween.
