If you're poor and you have boys, read this.

[user1477282676]

www.theguardian.com/society/2016/oct/11/obesity-soar-boys-girls-poorer-homes-deprived-backgrounds-overweight-2020

I am sorry if that sounds offensive. But I am so, so angry about the state of things right now in terms of inequality in the UK (and the world!) and I have started another thread along the same lines...but this one is slightly different.

According to this article in the Guardian, obesity among boys from the most financially strapped families is going to be rising whilst obesity in wealthy children will fall.

How is this even a thing? We know what schools do in their attempts to "educate". They weigh, they police lunch boxes...but that doesn't fix anything it would seem!

I am so cross that children...and it would seem boys especially, are going to be suffering.

I don't recognise any of the horrific sounding situations being described here

was does that mean?

That those horrific situations don't exist because you didn't see them in your short time being poor?

However unpleasant your time was (and I am sure it was horrible for you), short term, sudden poverty is a different kettle of chips from being long term, multi generation poor.

Poverty is cumulative. You get poorer and poorer and thing just don't pick up because there is no let up.

I am still agog at someone posting that this issue is about stupidity and how highly intelligent she is.

Quite mrsdv and the culture becomes more and more accepting of bad food and obesity, because why would people be horrible to one another about shit they understand perfectly well.

TheFirstMrsDV I appreciate that, but actually I did go into the neighbors houses and made friends with them and many were exactly as you would describe multi generational poor.

£20 a week in child benefit to live on is beyond the pale, how that can be allowed to happen in this day and age I don't know, truly shocking though.

You can have healthiest school dinners or lunchboxes, but one kids are of secondary age, nothing can stop them from stuffing themselves with crap from shops on their way to school.

GreenGinger (not having a go at you, it's just you said you were surprised) a PP said she had children who did not know what a pear was, another said that wasn't likely. Another poster agreed re not knowing a pear, another disagreed, then I said I had also come across it on multiple occasions and you said you were surprised.

For me this highlights the problem - so many people are unaware/ surprised at the paucity of many kids experience.

(The tumble dryer comment was related to more general poverty mentioned up thread).

And yes brokenheartdog people really don't get it - glad things are better now

Newbrummie its so easy to get sanctioned now. Also if someone maliciously reports someone for fraud benefits can be stopped until the investigation is completed.
Benefits are more complicated than they have ever been.

Back in the mid/late 80s when i was at high school we used to have the ice cream man park right in the school grounds and sell ice cream choc bars crisps etc.

It was stopped. Not for the sake of the kids health but because of the litter over school grounds.

TheFirstMrsDV I can imagine, I would have literally done anything to remove that power they lord over you ... none of the experience was pleasant, met some characters and bloody resilient people, all had freezers and tumble driers by hook or by crook though.

yeah i agree with pp saying sexism and low views of traditionally feminine persuits amongst boys from a lower economic background affects them badly.
I also think that in terms of food, when you are poor junk food is sort of luxurious? i mean if you cant afford to go on holiday or on a day out etc what are you going to treat yourself with to make yourself feel better?
Add into that that people are tired from working shifts and just want to veg out in front of the tv with something that doesnt take long to cook. Kids will fall in with their parents lifestyles and presumably be affected worse in terms of weight because they arent doing twelve hour shifts on their feet.
I know that you can buy healthy fast food from supermarkets like microwave steam meals and veg pots etc but they tend to be far more expensive in terms of the quantity you get for your money. Its easier to bulk buy value frozen chips.
Gaming is a big thing as well isnt it and i think for kids whos outlook seems pretty bleak in terms of career its easy to become addicted to a fantasy world where you can easily gain self esteem

Well Nat you could stop giving them pocket money like I do.

No money to spend,no junk.

Those who still think being poor is all just a matter of getting priorities right and doing the right thing really have never experienced being poor. We were brought up in poverty. I have had a long period of being a single, working parent. Unless you have been there don't judge or patronise.

The best way to solve obesity in children who are living in poverty is to take them out of poverty.

I also met another "character" who was better off, husband had good job, could have easily moved into a nicer house better environment for the family, only he stuck £400 of Coke up his nose every month. Kids ate shit, beautifully dressed, lovely clothes, immaculate.

I'm convinced it's down to education.

My DS went through a phase where he would eat a whole multipack of crisps in one go. I was worried about his weight. He used to hide the wrappers because he knew I would be furious (because of his health, not the selfishness). When I asked him why, he said that he was always so hungry so he grabbed the fastest thing. It took me ages to get through to him that toast is better, and fruit better still. He is a clever kid who loves sports, but had no idea at all about nutrition.

I don't give mine pocket money as I cannot afford to. She still comes home with sweet packets, crisp packets and junk from her friends who buy multi packs in the Morrisons near school...

By that I suppose you mean increase benefits.Not entirely sure that would work as nobody is going to miraculously stop over eating,buying junk and doing exercise because they have more money.

I actually think we need to be tougher. It is a child protection issue.

I think healthy cooking courses should be mandatory,produce meals to take home and benefits cut to pay for it. I also think obese children should be fed at school( all 3 meals) and benefits reduced due to parents not providing their food. There would be no cash to top up with junk after eating 3 healthy meals.

If you just sit and allow your children to get obese after a reasonable time frame and warning I think something drastic needs to be done.

Parents are killing their children.

Why is it up to the school to educate children about eating sensibly? No doubt parents will soon expect us to wipe their children's arses as well.

Is your last post to me Green?
If so no I don't mean increase benefits. My point was purely if you are talking about families spending £100 a week on take aways then you aren't talking about people in the lowest poverty bracket.

"benefits reduced due to parents not providing their food"

Hope you are including absent fathers who dont pay Child Support in that Ginger.

So how would that work for families not on benefits Green?
How would you punish them for having fat kids?

Do none of you remember jamie oliver's attempt at introducing healthy school meals?

Parents posting macdonalds through the school fence?

We see it on here too, the mentality that it's better a child eats something than nothing, and if a child won't eat healthy then feed them junk.

Poor kids might also be at home in front of telly while parents are busy doing extra jobs to raise some money. Rich kids going to clubs involving exercise several times a week?

When I was growing up we walked for miles to shop as no car and bus was too expensive.

We never had branded clothes or food as too expensive. School dinners were too expensive. Complaints of 'all my friends have X Y Z' were met with 'we can't afford it, you can't have it'

Most days out were what were in walking distance/free stuff/not allowed in the gift shop/taking a picnic rather than eating in cafe etc etc.

My dad was a striking miner so we had long periods with no income.

As an adult I've been in very serious, near bankruptcy, debt.

So I do understand poverty/low income, not fitting in or having what 'everyone else' seems to have.

And that's why I'll never agree that healthy eating is beyond people to the degree that is argued on here and continue to think that some people could do a bit more to help themselves.

'I think healthy cooking courses should be mandatory,produce meals to take home and benefits cut to pay for it. I also think obese children should be fed at school( all 3 meals) and benefits reduced due to parents not providing their food. There would be no cash to top up with junk after eating 3 healthy meals.

If you just sit and allow your children to get obese after a reasonable time frame and warning I think something drastic needs to be done.

Parents are killing their children.'

My dc have been in private school Ginger on bursary. Plenty of obese kids there. Does your stance count for them or only the poor who are feeding their kids biscuits on 'your taxes'

reallyanotherone have a look at the jamie oliver webchat from August 2013.