To be shocked at the level of obesity of British children?

Same here - there is no need for children or adults to snack between meals, unless it’s a treat for a special occasion. If children are hungry they need more protein at meal times with additional green vegetables .

I think we only had mini milks as a toddler, maybe a small whippy on holiday as a treat. Everything is supersize in comparison to what it used to be.

My dc have always had snacks when they were hungry in between meals. They have always been very slim and still are at 16 and 18. I don't think you can pin the obesity crisis on one thing (portion size, UPF, inactivity, snacking, loss of cooking skills, stress, poverty). It's a combination of things and probably varoes a bit from person to person.

The push to semi skimmed milk was an effort to prevent over feeding

The usual general rule which doesn't always make sense in individual cases

You might be on to something there tbh. When they were babies they weren't supposed to have low fat stuff. It is probably about feeding them the right stuff, at the right time, in the right portions. Together with enough exercise.

My kids have always been slight so when the HV said I should move them into skimmed milk I ignored. But I do wonder if this push to low fat is also part of the problem? Kids should be getting a decent portion of carbs and fat as part of their diet and perhaps not eating the healthy ones are part of the reason they’re always hungry?

It’s not just kids though.

I have to say I think there's something to this.

I've never given any of my children snacks, we just have 3 hearty, healthy meals. I don't snack, so it really just never occurred to me to give them snacks. They don't need them.

I think that sugar is the problem.
We don’t fill up on protein and healthy fats…lots sugary, white carbs.
It is a societal problem… but whilst the UPF manufacturers are pushing their “low fat” ( but high sugar) agendas and supporting governments that’s not going to change.
There needs to be better quality food in schools, banning high sugar drinks .

Kids portion sizes have gone mad. We've all seen the toddler in the buggy with a whole Magnum to themselves! I can't get over that kids have actually died from consuming slush puppy/slushie drinks in such excessive quantities that the glycerol levels became toxic! Generations have enjoyed these treats in moderation. I never heard of anyone 'overdosing' on them until recently.

It's interesting the amount of food some adults think their kids need. They tend to vastly over estimate, so they serve up big portions which their kids get used to eating.

A colleague of mine asked what I was cooking for dinner the other day, when I told her i had made a butternut squash soup she thought I meant that was some kind of starter! I explained no it's our meal, and she was genuinely worried my teenage ds would be going hungry!

Same in Ireland, it's not a simple case of the poorest children are overweight, it's the children of both one and two parent families where there is time poverty as well as a necessity to work/have two incomes/leave kids with grandparents, get home late and order pizza. Again.

The school dinners at our high school are terrible, that's after they have scoffed down the pizza slices or other snacks at break time. But I do think the habit of high schools having lunch really late around 13.30 is bad habit forming. As they provide a large amount at break time then lunch, it's like having lunch twice. 😋

But it's seeing the small primary age children really overweight that gets me. They are supposed to be skin and bone at that age not have roles of fat. Most parents do seem to be in denial as well, and I was always surprised at how many sweets DD'S friends where allowed to eat in primary school. The big share size sweets to themselves.

Totally agree! I cant understand how much they must eat and how little exercise they must do to be so overweight. My kids are certainly not denied anything - they love ice cream, sweets etc, but they know they are a treat (and usually accompanied by a long walk). We’ve always spent the weekends on walks, at the park etc (often on my own as partner frequently works weekends and always has done), but its so important to get the kids out and move your body. Walks, the park, the beach (if you have one nearby) are all free exercise for families.

Using the car should be the last option - ofcourse lots of us have to use it for the school run to go on to work etc, but ive never understood those parents that could easily walk it and don’t have to rush off. I think its a luxury on the few days I can walk my kids to school and get fresh air. Its so sad some kids are brought up thinking they cant use their legs to get somewhere!

@Riversideandrelax not where I teach. There are plenty of salads, wraps, pasta and veg curry. Desserts are limited. There is fruit.

The point is the food in school canteens is shit. There might not be pop and chocolate and crisps but there's chips and hotdogs and pizza and sausage rolls and brownies and donuts and cakes and soft drinks. All rubbish. If I was one of the kids I'd think you were highly hypocritical. It's never ok for them to eat the rubbish in school canteens. Why on earth is it allowed? I agree we must act! Get the junk out of school canteens!

Yes, shocked, me too.
I grew up in Communist Czechoslovakia and
just mentioned this yesterday.

Most secondary schools still serve their main meal offer with salad or veg - it is rarely eaten. If they have a baked potato counter, it comes with a side salad - children either ask not to have the salad or leave it.
Our 3 go to a local first school and they are always given fruit and veg on their school lunch.

I don’t think it’s unusual for teenagers to eat vast amounts - I think there was some research about how teenage boys in particular need far more calories than an adult. Shopping for their own food after school should be part of their learning to both budget and eat wisely.

I think the problem is that the bad habits are starting much younger so when they become teens they aren’t able to make the wise choices

Growing up I never had snacks, just three meals, everything was homemade and we never had pudding unless it was a special occasion.

And that’s pretty much what I do now. I have never given my children snacks because it’s totally unnecessary. I’m not controlling, they’ve been given snacks by other people, but they don’t need them. They eat all of their meals instead.

My friend’s kid begs for snacks constantly, really whinging and tantrumming over it, and she gives in every time. And he never eats his meals. He’s not ‘discerning’ as she insists, he’s full up with processed shit.

😂

I was equally shocked on holidays recently.

So many obese children. Like seriously obese 5 and 6 year olds. It was actually really upsetting.

I think UPF has a lot to answer for.

What salad and veg? It's all hotdogs and sausage rolls, panini's, pizza and then every type of cake imaginable, washed down with a fizzy drink. Why on earth is this allowed??

They all do this though.

Our local Tesco Metro looks like locusts have descended at home time and mornings.

And also, when l was teaching, loads of kids had parents that went to Costco. Then these kids would bring in shitloads of chocolate and sweets to sell at break time.

The school removed the vending machines 24 years ago, but they still find a way.

In respect of what the school was selling, they caterers have to make a profit so they sell food that appeals. Otherwise there would be no healthy options at all, as there would be no caterers, and not food either.

An experiment I the US ages ago, put things like chopped carrots and cucumber at counter level and eye level where kids would see them first. They bought loads. But then they threw them away
uneaten. So they were persuaded to change their buying habits, but not to change their eating habits.

Ye were obviously very posh!