Government wanting to weigh children

[birthdaybelle]

Anyone see this on Jeremy Vine this morning? Loads of backlash (rightly so!) about children's mental health and eating disorders etc. But what stands out to me is another bloody bashing of every day people trying to feed their kids on meagre wages or benefits.

More shame piled on to us because on top of everything else, our kids are fat.

But still the eatwell plate promotes high carb and low fat intake. Why?

It's simply not true that fat doesn't make you fat (if you eat too much of it as part of a normal varied diet) or that eating a low fat diet can't make you lose weight though. Eating low fat doesn't make it compulsory to eat more sugar or processed foods!

I've tried low carb (lost loads of weight, fell off the waggon and put it back on) and then I was forced to eat very low fat for 8 months due to gallstones while I waited for my gallbladder op. Eating more than about 10g of fat in a meal caused horrific pain, so I stuck to it absolutely rigidly. The weight absolutely fell off me, even though I was eating more carbs and probably a little bit more sugar.

I'm not saying low fat is necessarily healthier than low carb. Nor am I saying we shouldn't be cutting down on sugar and processed carbs - we definitely should. But eating a low fat diet with lots of whole grains, lean protein and plenty of veg and fruit is healthy and a perfectly valid way to lose weight.

Or make the one mile run mandatory for schools but actually factor in the time and not just expect it to be squeezed into everything else; more of a focus on healthy food tech and quick prep meals in DT for secondary, rather than cakes which take an hour and will never be made again; instead of paying farmers to chuck milk down the drain, help with finding the supply local shops with affordable fruit and veg beyond supermarkets which some cannot access; run programmes such as weighing in schools to identify areas which would benefit from more localised initiatives

These sound lile good ideas. Sadly though I think there are some people who despite all the initiatives put in place will just find excuses not to do it. They already ppt out or complain or ignore letters from weigh schemes. Many kids are late daily to school so asking them to get there 20 mins earlier to go for a run would be a non starter. Even when schools do a free breakfast club for kids on FSM some will still kick off about assumptions being made about them and their children rather than take them. There are some who would march down to the school and makes urs their chikd was exempt from the morning mile as their ruined their shoes/trousers/tights doing it or they hated it and just didn't want to do it or the parents thought it was all just nonsense.

I rhink sadly what ever help you offer people they will jusy find excuses not to and often they are they ones who need it most.

Not sure what the answer is really beyond parents just trying to take some responsibility. I think the more we outsource things to schools and government the less parents feel inclined to do for themselves.

I do agree @Roswellconspiracy, I think a balance of supportive measures to get to the root rather than facilitate it would be good, but as you say, unless parents support it, it won't work. So many are in denial about it, it's sad and has a huge impact on children.

Fruit has greater health benefits overall than sweets (obvs, there are no nutrients at all in sweets) but sugar wise, there isnt a huge amount of difference. Of the 5 a day advice, only 2 (max) of those 5 portions are supposed to be fruit because of the high sugar content. A lot of people don't know that OJ has as much sugar in it as coke and feel virtuous when they swap but without realising they are doing the same damage to their bodies metabolism and weight wise.

I do get this, and since having an ED in my teens/early 20s where I sought out the lowest fat version of everything, I now avoid low fat anything (unless it's something naturally low in fat of course) my DH laughs when he gets fat free Greek yogurt as it's so far from how I used to eat. And i always eat butter rather than any sort of spread. (I am healthy now and my bmi is 21) I try not to label good and bad foods in the house and we always have chocolate or sweets in the house, but the same bag of sweets can last for weeks (or sometimes get thrown away) because the DC have 1 or 2 at a time, and not every day.

However my point was that the change 4 life tips are simplistic and unrealistic. Swapping sweets for fruit ....as if kids wouldnt notice, or mind, if you popped a fig and tangerine in a party bag instead of a few sweets.

So many are in denial about it, it's sad and has a huge impact on children

My dds school sometimes does things like a walk to school award things where they collect stamps for walking to school. Or put on a special breakfast fir those who cycle in. I have no choice but to drive to school as its 5 miles away. But dd and I still walk further than many locals.

Its definitely not a time factor think either as they often sit outside the school in their car from 8 onwards to be sure of a space on the road outside. They arent all rushing off for work either as many also have to "go speak to the teacher " or they chat amongst themselves for a while. If I.pop to the shop I see the groups sat or stood around 20 mins.or so after the bell went.

They are back there by half 2 at the latest as well to ensure the space again aoutside the school.

Maybe it's cos I'm fed up of traffic and arseholes on the road that I cant fathom living 10 mins away from a school and choosing to drive instead. There always seems to be an issue too. Arguments over driveways and kids nearly being hit as they navigate trying to cross the road between 2 massive cars . Driving up on the pavements nearer the kid's cos there's not room to pass. One kid was even knocked off his scooter when the usual late parents drive down and let their kids leap out the car. The door hit him.

Theres a park and 2 cafes that have given permission to use the car parks for parents all of which a very short walk from the school. There really does seen to be a mass panic that they or the kids have more than the width of the road to walk. I use one of the car parks and we walk.

Walking to school is free exercise and its not eveb a long walk in most cases but if parebts cant even manage that then...

Weighing and measuring makes it look like the Gov is doing something but it's doing naff all

It’s sad that they have to do this. Parenting basics include a healthy diet, exercise, financing a child’s needs and hear/shelter.

Too many feel that schools/state/taxpayers should do many/all of those things for them.

I'm not saying low fat is necessarily healthier than low carb. Nor am I saying we shouldn't be cutting down on sugar and processed carbs - we definitely should. But eating a low fat diet with lots of whole grains, lean protein and plenty of veg and fruit is healthy and a perfectly valid way to lose weight.

It can be yes. I don't disagree. But I wonder how much of the weightloss through this method also includes a calorie deficit? I don't know, just posing the question. I see an awful lot of diets that focus on trying to make people feel sated on 1200 calories or fewer. And a lot of people trying to embrace feeling hungry and ignoring cravings.

Eating low fat doesn't make it compulsory to eat more sugar or processed foods!

But for a lot of people who are very overweight, they cite the cravings (for crisps, chocolate, sweets, cakes, carby junk) as the issue.

If there was a way of reducing and managing those cravings for some people that would be something. Yet the NHS still solely promote the eat less move more; calories in vs calories out; low fat approach even when it clearly isn't working for some people.

As an aside, and obviously you haven't said this but lchf diets are often touted as faddy or restrictive and we are told it's not healthy to eliminate or drastically restrict any part of our diet.

Yet, restricting fat to virtually nothing and restricting calories to lower than our bodies need to function is seen as the right, healthy and virtuous choice.

I suppose my point is really that we should be looking at the reasons for this. Who is telling us this? And what is their motivation?

And i always eat butter rather than any sort of spread

This was one of the first things that woke me up to the food 'industry'. How is a manmade, artificial, chemically loaded food substitute ever going to he better for our bodies than something natural?

Too many feel that schools/state/taxpayers should do many/all of those things for them

I think we worry too much about feelings these days.

Everything seems to be more abkut placating parents. So many things would have been the source of much shame when our parents were at school and probably when we went to school too.

Now schools are taking on more and more of the basics in a blanket method so as not to single anyone out .

As a result I think parents feel they can get away with it.

Diets weren't great back then either. Many of our parents didn't have much money either. Think the difference was they would just never dare to do anything that would single their child out.

Not saying shame is the nest way to deal with things but responsibility has shifted from parents onto everyone else.

I think we worry too much about feelings these days. Ever heard of comfort eating, it's a bit of a thing - doesn't improve when feeling are disregarded.

I came from a family of six - one of us was overweight - believe me - her feelings were not spared, she was made very aware of the extra fat she carried around, she remained overweight throughout her childhood. Makes me wince thinking about the names she was called. Thankfully my own dcs do not comment on body size of others, never have - they don't see it as their business - the overweight kids at school were not teased either, it simply was not tolerated by the kids or the staff.

I was talking about parents. Teachers aren't allowed to "upset" parent's any more. You can't tell then individually that their kid has nits. Instead schools now send out emails to all parents. So sone treat their kids at 9 pound a go and fround zero potentially doesn't get treated .

You can't really tell parents individually their lunch boxes are awful instead they just put down blanket lists/policies in the hope they listen.

You cant even tell parents their kid isn't doing well in class without sandwiching it between good comments.

There is little incentive these days for parents to have to do anything because school will either sort it and eventually there will just be another email they will pretend they never received that applies once again to eveeyone .

The problem is not every child is overweight because their parents can't cook. Children with Eating disorders, binge eating disorder obesity in specifics secret eating, children with Autism who have sensory issues regarding food, no off switch. I remember someone saying they used to sneak into the garage freezer aa a child to sneak frozen food. My ds has ASD/PDA sensory issues, severe compulsions towards food. used to eat toothpaste when denied food, has PICA, overeats everywhere school, other houses etc. we have a lock on the kitchen door, can now open it. ive been seeking appropriate help since nursery, in junior school now not a shred. so in the cases of the many poor harrassed parents at the end of their rope, will they actually access appropriate support or just more shaming?? that's my wonder.

schools will know who those kids are though wont they? I'm.sire majority of parents dealimg with these issues are working their arses off alongside every agency going.

They do not account for 6 or 7 kids at least out of every class by year 6 who schools have had to watch get bigger and bigger since reception and beyond lunch box policies and weighing them twice in 7 years are almost powerless to say or do anything

I was weighed at school at the yearly check up visit from the school doctor.
We had the nit nurse too.

Now schools are taking on more and more of the basics in a blanket method so as not to single anyone out

This is very much an issue.

PasstheBucket89

My feeling is that if more parents took responsibility, it would free up targeted support for those families who might require extra support for whatever reason.

My daughter has overweight peers at school and lack of education, poverty, time, SN etc is not the issuem it's over indulgence, not wanting to be the sort of parent who says no to their children and wanting to be their friends rather than an authority figure.

Understanding why some children have food issues doesnt address the wider issue of a hugely overweight society at large.

They do not account for 6 or 7 kids at least out of every class by year 6 who schools have had to watch get bigger and bigger since reception and beyond lunch box policies and weighing them twice in 7 years are almost powerless to say or do anything

Agreed. However, the school lunch box policies are a farce in some cases. I supported school dinners at my child's school because I was on the governing body and felt I had to. But the meals were so nutritionally poor and so high in refined carbs that it made him ill and I had to put him back onto packed lunches.

Lunch box policies that will remove 2 Celebrations size chocolates from a well balanced, overall healthy lunch bag (which happened to us) but then allows pizza, a bread roll and ice cream for dessert for school dinners (veg/salad optional) feels ridiculous to a lot of parents. Because it is.

Lunch box policies that will remove 2 Celebrations size chocolates from a well balanced, overall healthy lunch bag (which happened to us) but then allows pizza, a bread roll and ice cream for dessert for school dinners (veg/salad optional) feels ridiculous to a lot of parents. Because it is

Precisely why individual parents should be spoken to as opposed to these blanket rules. Because you can still send in piles of shit within the guidelines so parents will just do that.

However, the school lunch box policies are a farce in some cases.

Definitely. My son was allowed to take a ham and cheese sandwich, but a homemade (wholewheat) pizza base with a roasted hidden veg sauce and cheese and roast chicken on was not allowed. I understand not allowing shop bought oven pizza, due to high saturated fat and salt but they need to apply a little thought. DS wouldn't eat sandwiches so would leave them when sent. The didn't allow little cubes of cheese (but again, cheese sandwich was fine). All very odd.

Speaking as someone who was a fat child, (because I was fed all of the wrong things and didn't do any sports) I think it's great there's a focus on obesity in children. My mum fed me too many snacks and passed on her unhealthy eating habits. It was used as a reward and comfort and it was far too often.

Grew up in a low income household with single parent. Not an excuse still.

My son was allowed to take a ham and cheese sandwich, but a homemade (wholewheat) pizza base with a roasted hidden veg sauce and cheese and roast chicken on was not allowed

That's exactly the sort of thing I mean.

Seeing a child come in with a cold slice of Dominoes pizza is one thing but healthy and home made..?

Esp when a homemade cheese and tomato pizza is just a cheese and tomato sandwich constructed differently!

Oh and my child's school lunch policy didnt allow 2 squares of Dairy Milk but did allow a Penguin.

Just makes no sense. Arguably fewer shit ingredients in 2 squares of chocolate and less of it.

Youd be very suprised, like i said, ive been fighting for help for over 5 years and had absolutely nothing of value at all, the same goes for thousands of parents in this country if they have time to trudge around schools with weighing scales, they have time to pull fingers out and help parents who have been asking for years!. its too selective its cheaper to shame and then do fuck all regarding support then a lot of professionals to actually do their jobs.

It's a shame that all they do is weigh children in Yr6. We got a note home stating DD was in danger of being obese - based solely on her weight & age I assume. It didn't take into account that despite being 2nd youngest she was actually the 2nd tallest, and very very athletic - in sports day lapped almost her entire year to win the 600m, and pulled her team who were last in the relay till she got the baton to win.

These things have to be done carefully. For months after she worried about eating anything 'nice' like ice cream on a hot day.

Parents at our school complained about weighing of children (even though the results are completely confidential)
They complained about the new healthy school dinners and bought chips to the school gates for their kids.
They complained when sweets and crisps were banned from the playground at home time and stood outside the gates with big bags of sweets to protest.
We had some really obese children who are now truly morbidly obese teenagers and now the same parents are complaining that the government isn't doing anything to help them.
We need to stop blaming everything else and take responsibility.

@Ariela

It's a shame that all they do is weigh children in Yr6. We got a note home stating DD was in danger of being obese - based solely on her weight & age I assume. It didn't take into account that despite being 2nd youngest she was actually the 2nd tallest, and very very athletic - in sports day lapped almost her entire year to win the 600m, and pulled her team who were last in the relay till she got the baton to win.

These things have to be done carefully. For months after she worried about eating anything 'nice' like ice cream on a hot day.

But the only reason she would be worried is because you told her what was in the letter surely?