The number overweight people at swimming today

[pingu2209]

I went swimming today with my 3 children. I am not exagerating to say that well over half the children and teenagers were overweight; some were seriously obese.

It really was noticable. Girls as well as boys. Anything from age 4 to 14.

Okay - at least they were exercising but I was really shocked.

It is a worry though. Undeniably more children are overweight now than 20 years ago it's not healthy and miserable for them.

Stressful?? Life is no more 'stressful' now than it's ever been!

Depends what you mean by stress. In terms of work hours, not much has changed since the 1950's, EXCEPT instead of more active jobs like manufacturing, most people now sit at desks all day. Not to mention most people are accessible 24 hours due to smart devices, and staring at computer screens affects sleep.

Next time call the pool before you go and find out how many overweight people are there, you don't want a shock like that again. I am probably more shocked at your fattist post.

I wish MNHQ would sort out the ZOMBIE THREAD situation.

What's a zombie thread?

Having had mental health problems due to a violent childhood most of my life and having non-stop stress I was always very slim (nervous energy, not wanting to eat due to constant sick feeling in my stomach etc).... I'm now at a place where I am so happy in my life, but this happiness/lack of stress has led to me gaining two stone in weight - I'm not huge - I'm 9 1/2stone. Although not overweight I do now have rolls where there were none, I am very conscious of my belly and so far this summer I've hidden under baggy jumpers to try and disguise my stomach .... (I've been melting in this heat under my layers). Now I know you're not referring to me, but comments and attitudes like yours are the reason I don't feel comfortable in my own skin, they're the reason I'm struggling to come to terms with my 'happy' weight, they're the reason I wear jumpers in the hot sun and the reason that when I sit down I place a cushion or bag on my lap in an attempt to hide my tummy.

Threads started ages ago Jellie. This one was started in Feb 2013, then suddenly brought back to life. But people are now replying to the OP again.

There is a Zombie warning which lasts for a bout 2 posts after the thread is revived then inexplicably it disappears.

What did you expect the response to be OP?

Did you think there would be a whole load of mumsnetters clutching their pearls and honking their judgy pants to to the chin agreeing with you?

Sometimes it's best to think these things (if that's what you like to think about) and keep it to yourself...

Tbh I don't give a flying fuck what folk like you think about me and others my size. I am overweight but it doesn't stop me swimming, gardening and other things.

Tbh I don't give a flying fuck what folk like you think about me and others my size. I am overweight but it doesn't stop me swimming, gardening and other things.

We shouldn't care. We're the majority. The non-overweight people should care what we think. :P

Oh fuck have I been sucked into a zombie thread... They are taking over!

I understand OP's point. And am quite amazed that so many people don't. Its also true. If you go to a pool about half the kids would be classified medically overweight.

OP doesn't say she is staring at overweight children and ruining their fun. She's making an observation not laughing/pointing/bullying, which is very different.

I think its a point about the medical issues around obesity and how they are not being addressed by parents/society. Children should be happy AND healthy.

If a child is happy there's almost an excuse to pass on the other stuff. An overweight (or underweight) child is not getting the right nutrition and is more prone to diabetes, heart problems, tiredness etc, they are not being looked after correctly.

I think people are too quick to dismiss OP and imply she's being fattist, rather than making a valid point about children's health (in 2013/today).

I took my son to his swimming lesson the other night , it happens at the same time as the open swimming session . At least two thirds of the adults in the pool were overweight , a third obese . As a obese person , I thought 'yay , my people are here , I will bring my cossie next time and swim while DS swims ' . If the pool had been full of six pack toting adoni and bikini clad skinny malinkers I would not be so inclined to join them

Okay, it is a zombie thread fine, but it was re-started by Minaj who clerly is worried and anxious about the issue of being ashamed to go swimming with his kids because of his shape. I so understand you Minaj I am 2 stone overweight and feel the same.... in fact, I actually would not let my DS go to a pool party in the half term because I was too embarrassed as the parents had to go in too. I made an excuse. I feel dreadful about that.

I am trying to tell myself that DS should not suffer because of how I feel about me, and will take him swimming this weekend. Please go in the pool and just enjoy it and your kids.

A 9 year old classmate of dds was out of breath and struggling to walk around the school site. Couldn't keep up with the other kids at walking pace. Massively overweight as were several others. Gigi is right it's not fat bashing adults but surely others see this as a problem?

MightyMinaj bumped the thread but has not returned.

Might be best to start a new one.

I haven't read the thread but I have just watched this week's Horizon report on why people are getting fatter generally. It is quite an eyeopener and worth watching regardless of your current weight. In fact, if you are skinny, it is even more worth watching.

One of the key proven findings is how you permanently alter your children's DNA while they are in the womb through what you eat.

Not all those poor "overweight" kids may actually have a health issue. My DS has battled his weight for a few years now. He has a fantastic diet and as well as three sessions of PE a week he does extra curriculum sport five days a week. We are a very active family but he has a tendency to look a bit chubby. The reason why? He takes three lots of steroids for a medical issue as well as an underactive thyroid gland. He deals with all of that and he's only 12. He gets the judgmental look and assumptions that he pigs out on junk food. He doesn't, he has a serious health issue. Shame on you for being so judgemental.

Mention noticing some people are fat and you get slaughtered and accused of 'judging'
If you are fat - people notice. No one ever mentioning it does not change that.
The OP was commenting on how many people are overweight these days. It is a fact. Doesn't mean she was judging anyone.
I think people are too quick to judge and attack anyone who dares mention fat.
If you feel bad going swimming - don't blame people for how you feel. People think things.. you can't escape it.

One of the key proven findings is how you permanently alter your children's DNA while they are in the womb through what you eat.

A couple of experiments on mice and one study involving testing umbilical cord blood at birth and a follow up health test 9 years later and a questionnaire isn't even remotely proven. It's grounds for a hypothesis.

I don't take from this thread that people are cruelly judging on an individual basis. You can't honestly not have noticed the proportion of seriously overweight children has shot up in the last twenty years? There are several dc in my dds class who are larger than any child I ever saw growing up. How are we as a country able to do anything about it if adults (parents) are either in denial or get all offended at put out at the pointing out of the truth?

Ha ha my child is one of those fatties! He's disabled so can't walk much and has medication for his epilepsy which gains weight.
I know it's the meds as he is fed through a tube in his tummy called a gastrostomy and everything he consumes is prescribed by a dietician !!!
You are a total knob!!!!

Ps my Neurotypical children are really thin and when DS broke his elbow I was told on fracture clinic he was underweight and I need to take him to see the dietician !!! I did and he was prescribed build up milkshake as dietician couldn't understand how he couldn't gain weight !!!

kerala I agree!

You always get challenged on threads like this though. Guilt I suppose. Those carrying a bit extra will always feel threatened, but speak of kids being overweight is always a bit emotive

I just feel sad when I see obesity

No one is judging particularly not children with medical conditions. Yet there are so many more obese children they can't all have medical reasons.

One of the dc we know all the kids in the family started off slim but by year 4 ish all of them very overweight, as is mum. She gives them adult magnums for breakfast.

There is a much higher percentage of overweight adults and children. Today than there were 40/50 years ago-Fact.
Not all of them have medical issues.
Many may have emotional issues but then people had emotional issues 40 years ago and were not fat.
I can only think that the increase and availability of convenience foods has made a difference plus people have more money and less time.
It's bad that people are starting to accept overweight as the 'norm' and getting very defensive if anyone mentions the obesity problem
It's personally ok to be fat if you want to be but it's daft to insist that no one should have an opinion on it and its not ok to bury your head in the sand if your child is fat. That is down to you if they don't have a medical problem.

I agree kerala1

I amount of emotion in this thread is masking the medical problem. If your child is overweight and there isn't a medical reason for it ie steroids, you have a moral and medical responsibility for that.
The fact is, you are making them unhealthy and shortening their life expectancy.
If you are overweight, that is your choice, it isn't harming anyone but you, and is totally up to you. However, if a minor/child in your care is overweight, I think you have a moral and medical obligation to manage their weight.. as i said before this is in conjunction with happiness, not separate to it.