Michelle Obama has always led by example, so why should her campaign on childhood obesity be any different? The Daily Mail reports that both Sasha and Malia will have an overhaul on their lunch boxes.
The article mentions that the girl’s pediatrician noticed a slight weight gain.
The First Lady said that she had been warned by the family paediatrician that ’something was getting out of balance’ with her two children Malia 11, and Sasha, 8.
The article goes on to highlight what changes will be made to Sasha and Malia’s diet.
The girls then had to adhere to new ground rules – less burgers, low-fat milk, and fruits and water instead of sugary drinks; the change was significant, she said.
As a mother of a “husky” little boy, I try to watch portion sizes, sugar intake and add more fruits and vegetable to Biko’s diet. I certainly can appreciate the First Lady’s campaign against childhood obesity. I can’t wait to see what programs she initiates as a result. My hope is that our schools will pay close attention, especially the school cafeterias around the country. Posted by Bridgette of http://trailblazer-firstlady.blogspot.com. Photo provided by AP.
***Blog Founder Comment***
Hey folks, this is Gina. Sorry to interject in Bridgette’s conversation, but as someone who was a morbidly obese child, I CRINGE at any public discussion of a child’s “weight” or “diet” in a public space. I’ve been on a diet since I was 6 year’s old. While I applaud First Lady Obama’s focus on childhood obesity, let’s leave her children out of it at this site. Once people feel free to comment on a child’s weight/ diet, they don’t stop. All the skinny people commenting, including the First Lady, are well intentioned, but being an overweight child is HELL, let’s not A) indicate that children who clearly are not obese should be on a diet likewise, treat fat kids with some compassion, they’re already torturing themselves and being tortured at school. I just had to interject because it’s my worst nightmare that any child would be made to feel self conscious in anyway based on something posted on one of my blogs. I realize skinny people, including Mrs. Obama don’t understand or get this, but let’s leave her children, or anyone else’s children, out of the childhood obesity discussion on this blog. At the end of the day, Mrs. Obama is another well meaning skinny person who can never understand the life of a fat child. I’m actually dreading this assault on fat kids. I still think she totally rocks, but I stopped taking weight loss advice from skinny people and I’m much happier. If you’re a fat kid, keep your head up. There is so much you can’t control about your life right now. When you get older, that will change, just hold on until then.
BTW Welcome Back Bridgette- We missed you!!!!!
***end Blog Founder Comment***
20 Comments, Comment or Ping
Aces
Please never quote the Daily Mail…It is a gossip rag that deliberately distorts , misrepresents and outright lies!
Mrs Obama shared the story last week but she’s shared it before and during the campaign.
The visit with the pediatrician and the wake up call about her kids actually happened several years ago when her girls were much younger;
She just continues to share it to remind families that it could happen so easily even in the most loving and educated of families -
Feb 1st, 2010
red
Mrs. O talked about this during the campaign about her girls, because they wasn’t eating properly while campaigning. Daily Mail talk as if it’s now that all this thing is going on. I cannot stand this dirt rag news paper.
Feb 1st, 2010
Susmita
As a skinny person (who works pretty hard to stay that way), I have to agree about not dragging the girls into this issue publicly. On the other hand, Michelle presumably knows her kids well, and would not have mentioned any issues with their weight and/or diet if she thought it would bother them.
Feb 1st, 2010
bwilson73
Yes, I agree that children should not be made a spectacle. President Obama has always said that children were off limits. However, I also feel that if a RESPONSIBLE dialogue can take place that can help mother’s like me who has an overweight child, then let’s have it. And, what better place than a medium like MOW where we respectfully carry on discourse about Michelle Obama. I do respect your position. And children can be cruel. That’s why moms like me need advice and tips to help my son get through this. My intent was to have meaningful discussion about childhood obesity, not to exploit the Obama girls. However, your point was well taken. Posted by Bridgette of http://trailblazer-firstlady.blogspot.com
Feb 1st, 2010
admin
I knew you meant no harm. I was just pointing out that any discussion of a child’s body in a public setting opens a door that well meaning parents might one day regret opening. This Daily Mail article is just one example. We don’t do responsible conversations about weight in this country. But there is always a first time.
Feb 1st, 2010
Lonni
I agree with Gina. While it is wonderful that parents take the time and effort to regulate their childrens diets for health reasons it’s also important to recognize that it’s not always about food. A slow metabolism, a mal-functioning thyroid, even emotional issues can result in weight gain and the inability to “shed” weight with diet leading to frustration and depression. The whole of the child needs to be considered, not just their food intake and if that is not addressed then the problem will continue.
Feb 1st, 2010
Dee
I take on board Gina’s concerns, and the comments made by Lonni.
And yet at the same time, bearing these in mind – fully appreciative that anyone who hasn’t lived the life of someone who has been/is “morbidly obese” can fully appreciate what that means in an often slender person fixated society – I still think there is room to at least attempt to have that first “responsible conversation” about what has led to the rise and rise of childhood obesity, and how this might be addressed.
It’s a complex subject area, and as Lonni has pointed out there may well be other issues involved in many cases, that are separate and apart from “mere” food consumption.
I don’t think that we can just leave this subject area, alone; if handled well, the conversation shouldn’t mean in any way “an assault on fat kids.” Gina, you are right. Compassion is needed, here; as a start, advice and guidance surely must be lovingly offered in the spirit of being supportive.
With that in mind, I can’t think of a better “figurehead for this campaign” if you like, than the present First Lady.
Feb 1st, 2010
bwilson73
Gina, it’s great to be back! Dee, I am in 100% agreement that a responsible, compassionate, intelligent and cogent conversation about this issue should happen. I need all the help I can get. I am excited that the First Lady has taken this on as one of her programs and I look forward to following it’s progress.
Feb 1st, 2010
pepper
Just so everyone knows Michelle will be on the today show on Wednesday Feb. 3.
http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/02/01/2191215.aspx
Feb 1st, 2010
pepper
I think people are taking this weight thing the wrong way. If my parents would have listened to my pediatrician when I was a kid I would not be battling with my weight today.
Feb 4th, 2010
rikyrah
I think there’s a right way and a wrong way to approach this. I do hope that the First Lady approaches this the right way.
1. Will she mention that she got rid of everything with high fructose corn syrup in her house ? ( as I think I read this somewhere)
2. What about trans fats?
3. What about those who live in ‘ food deserts’ and have no access to a variety of quality fresh fruits and vegetables?
4. What about the composite of school lunches – loaded with sodium, transfats, HFCS and every other ill?
5. What about the trends of school districts, over the past decade, to rid itself of ‘ recess’ and/or Phys Ed?
6. What about children who literally CAN’T go outside and play as kids did when FLOTUS was growing up – BECAUSE IT’S TOO DANGEROUS.
While on the surface, ‘ childhood obesity’ seems like a ’safe’ subject’, if you really want to tackle it, at its multi-headed heart, it’s a deep subject with complex foundations.
Feb 4th, 2010
Naomi
I think I’m one of the few people that vividly and acutely remembers her childhood (even though it was 15-20 years ago). I understand Michelle only has the best intentions, but I felt so sorry for her daughters when I read it. Michelle has commented on her childrens’ weight in public, at an age where they are old enough to feel self-conscious about it. Especially she is giving people permission to comment on on childrens’ weight when their bodies are still growing.
It would have been politer for her to have done it more retrospectively, better yet with no comment towards weight at all, for example: “In conversation with my doctor recently, he recommended I make small adjustments to my daughters’ diets to keep them fit and healthy, so in our household we made the following small simple changes [outline changes] and the change in my daughters’ health has been significant.”
Weight is just one indicator of health. There are other benefits of changing your diet that need to be emphasised such as: higher energy levels, calmer moods, refreshing sleep, better concentration etc.
Also, I always thought burgers were extremely healthy and nutritious if you make them yourselves – they’re just like a sandwich. If you choose wholemeal or multigrain buns, lean grilled meat, low-fat cheese, lots of salad (including things like lettuce, grated carrot, alfalfa, avocado, beetroot, tomato, etc) and hummus for example (my fiance adds egg and a small piece of rindless bacon to his). Similar to home-made pizza: wholegrain or multigrain bases piled high with healthy toppings (lean meat, low-fat cheese, pineapple, mushrooms, capsicum, spinach, herbs etc).
Feb 5th, 2010
College Prof
Tackling childhood obesity is noble, and I applaud it. I am the mother of a 20-something girl who battled her weight since age 7 and continues to do so.
However …
I have always been highly annoyed when SKINNY people tell people who struggle with their weight what they should do. I know at least a dozen thin to average people who have never worried about their weight for one minute, and who eat anything they want and as much as they want. They are blessed with good metabolism, good genes, and often (as in the case with Mrs. Obama) height!
I’m offended that she chose a topic she knows nothing about and couldn’t possibly relate to. It’s the same as a white person presenting themselves as a role model for the black experience.
Feb 5th, 2010
A. Darton
I’m for giving this a chance. It is not about picking on kids, it’s about fighting for their lives. How many people want to see there kids have to take insulin shots at the age of 7,8,9,10 cause they have diabetes or high blood pressure. Can’t run around and play with the other kids because they get short winded. It’s almost like the First Lady have strike a nerve that people don’t want to deal with. This is an issue that must be dealt with on the mental and physical level. If we are worried about our kids future when it comes to the debt that is being left for them. Then we need to be worry about their future when it comes to their health also. I’m sorry I just don’t get all the uproar. And believe me I’ve had my battle with the weight as a child and adult. So you can’t call me some skinny minny who doesn’t know what being overweight is all about. I would imagine that the First Lady is talking to people from all warts of life, experts, doctors, and so on. I’m still standing behind this 100%.
Feb 5th, 2010
admin
@ADarton of course the INTENTION is not to pick on children, but you are singling them out and subjecting them to additional scrutiny and likely to be unsuccessful because most skinny people erroneously think obesity is a mechanical problem and not a metaphysical problem. Which is why skinny people should not give weight loss advice.
@College Prof run a bit to the right because you’re out in left field.
Feb 5th, 2010
A. Darton
@ADMIN…..let’s just agree to disagree. It’s nice to have an healthy debate without attacking one another.As I said before I am sure the First Lady is talking to people with all kinds of opinions. I think this is a good ideal what the First Lady is taking on, childhood obesity. And from what I see the Surgeon General is a black woman who is not a skinny woman. By the way, the First Lady will be on Larry KIng Show on CNN, Tuesday night at 9pm. Have a good day, ADMIN.
Feb 6th, 2010
A. Darton
Maybe I shouldn’t have said the Surgeon General is a black woman who is not a skinny woman. Maybe I should have just said she was a woman who is not a skinny woman. Cause I know women of all color have weight problems. Take care!!!
Feb 6th, 2010
gem2001
@ADarton but the fact that you referred to the Surgeon General’s weight at all kinda makes my point. But anywhoo. The First Lady says she wants to tackle obesity so she’ll have to deal with all aspects of the debate and I think she will.
Feb 7th, 2010
Dee
I’m glad that the First Lady is showing a willingness to engage in a conversation, and look forward to hearing voices offering varied perspectives/concerns/insights/feedback across the whole spectrum of opinions, both in support and otherwise.
I just don’t think that the subject of childhood obesity is one that.can be left alone, and have every confidence that the First Lady will handle this with level-headed common sense, and compassion.
Let the responsible conversations, begin!
Feb 7th, 2010
A. Darton
@GEM2001….the only reason why I brought up the Surgeon General’s weight was to say that the First Lady will be listening to people of all warts of life, not just skinny folks. @DEE…I agree let the responsible conversations begin. I have enjoy listening to other people opinions and it’s so nice to talk to each without calling names and getting ugly. Like some of the other blogs are. Take care!
Feb 7th, 2010