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.

[crashdoll]

Not only poorly worded but was there even a point?! It's hardly a revelation that we, as a nation, are getting bigger and unhealthier!!

[twentythirteen]

Reluctant mother, your concise eloquence has made my day, thank you.

[Rooneyisalwaysmoaning]

I haven't noticed anything like this proportion of people being overweight when I've gone swimming...or out to the shops....or to a wildlife park, etc etc.

It isn't like people only show up as overweight when they wear swimming costumes. How come you're not noticing them everywhere? That's what puzzles me. And why so many in your swimming pool and not everyone's, if it's a huge social problem?

[Tweasels]

An observation, would be to observe it and think in your head "Oh, I'm surprised by how many overweight children there are in this pool"

To then think "Ooh, I'll post that on Mumsnet", is where the problem arises.

This is AIBU. I don't think the OP is unreasonable for noticing/worrying about childhood weight issues, but she is unreasonable for starting a badly worded, ill thought out thread about it.

We all notice lots of things daily, but here is not necessarily the right place to mention them.

[Rooneyisalwaysmoaning]

Oh and also, I eat a lot of junk food OP - and I'm not overweight, nor are my children. Your premise is wrong. Cheap bad food isn't why people are overweight.

[carlywurly]

Totally agree with country kitten -

We're talking about children here, not adults. Presumably adults are enabling eating patterns which have led to obesity in the majority of cases for young children, medical conditions clearly excepted.

I live in a very non posh outdoorsy, rural area and its very unusual to see an overweight child here. I can't think of any at all at my dc's school. I'm regularly shocked when I visit our nearest big city though, and I don't think there's anything wrong with saying that it's dismaying to see overweight children. it really is, especially when it causes them visible mobility issues and I'm sorry if that touches nerves for some.

[Lizzylou]

I think the OP has a valid (albeit badly worded) point, there very obviously are more overweight/obese children now than when I was younger (as a podgy 12 year old I certainly felt very alone).

Diet and lack of exercise are obviously a concern. Here for a family of 4, it costs almost £10 to go for a swim, which is out of reach for a lot of families to do one a regular basis. Of course there are other ways to exercise but our weather is not that condusive to outdoor exercise and it is dark by 4/5pm a lot of the year.

I agree with MrsDV's post. It is all too easy to gain weight and all too hard to lose.

[exoticfruits]

There are a lot of overweight people around -full stop. At least they were getting exercise which is all to the good-they don't want anyone putting them off.

[ouryve]

You're right, OP. They're exercising, rather than sitting on their arses.

(No I haven't read beyond the OP, yet.)

[crashdoll]

I agree there is no way it is comparable to disability or race.

It still made me (and others) feel really fucking shit though.

[maras2]

Address your own issues and leave the fat kids alone.They will eventually slim down.

[Amaxapax]

You know, here's the thing: people don't lose weight because someone else makes them feel bad about it. We can all stand around pretending to be concerned about health and shouting 'won't someone think of the children,' but that won't make a difference.
I was a fat kid. I did a lot of sport when I was younger, but I was a picky eater and always chose high carb, processed foods when I had the option. When I stopped doing so much sport and had more control over what I ate, I got much heavier. I was extremely aware and ashamed of my weight. I hated myself. I wouldn't talk to my parents about it. I became very depressed and developed some mental health issues. But being called fat or ugly by other people did nothing to change my situation. And trust me, even when people weren't saying it, I had a pretty good idea if what they were thinking. I made a choice a few years ago, and now work very hard to stay fit and well.
My point is, why make this observation? You aren't helping anyone. You aren't pointing out something we aren't all aware of already. You have come across as smug and judgmental. Want to do something? Write to your MP about the cost of good quality foods. Work with your child's school to develop healthier meals for lunch. Set up a group for your children and their friends to help them learn to cook quality food from scratch. But people don't tend to lose weight because other people make them look bad. You aren't making an observation. You are judging. So mind your own business. Worry about your own health. Your faux concern isn't doing anything to help those kids.

[WilsonFrickett]

They will eventually slim down.
What are you basing that on exactly Maras? Isn't that the whole point of the the problem, that obese children don't magically slim down? Yes some will, but some will stay obese, and then obesity will become normalised and the nation will get bigger and bigger.

[howdoyouknowjenny]

That's the point Mara they won't 'eventually slim down' all the evidence suggests that fat children = fat adults.

But let's all bury our heads in the sand for fear of offending!!! We'll just deal with the consequences later I suppose?

[LilMissSunshine9]

Wow I am overweight but go to the gym to do something about it but never swimming. So the OP was stating a fact but what gets me is the fact someone was even looking at people and the first thought was not aww how lovely kids out swimming but oh my god that/those child/ chidren is/are fat. Just confirms what I knew really that people will judge you immediately on how you look

[pingu2209]

No Maras2 - you are wrong. The whole point is that they will most likely NOT slim down.

[HorseDNAinJellyAndIcecream]

wow. poor pingu! what shocks me is the 6 page (could be 7 any minute now) pile on, where the very first post attacks the OP and calls her small minded, and tells her that it's because of "people like you" that other posters don't x,y or z. After the first two pages of posters ripping in to the op anybody who posts to take another swipe at the op needst to rein them self in too.

[Rooneyisalwaysmoaning]

'But let's all bury our heads in the sand for fear of offending!!! We'll just deal with the consequences later I suppose? '

well what are we supposed to be doing about it? Their weight is none of our business.

[Rooneyisalwaysmoaning]

hmmm 68 spoonfuls of sugar? what IS that food?

uh. gimme.

[usualsuspect]

I'm puzzled by this, I know we have an obesity problem in this country, but at my Grandchildrens school there are very few overweight children.

[Rooneyisalwaysmoaning]

Same here US. There are maybe about 10 slightly chubby looking kids at ours, and one child who's very overweight indeed. but that's it.

where are all the fat kids we hear about?

[howdoyouknowjenny]

Yes it is. It's a social issue with consequences for all of us.

Further escalating costs to the NHS, meaning less funding for unavoidable illness.

Higher price for the occasional soft drink purchase I make. Due to so many people not considering or caring about the choices they make for their/dc's diets