MeMe Roth Again

Okay, that post got a lot of comments going, so I just wanted to make another point.

Love her or hate her, MeMe Roth is getting attention. In our celebrity obsessed media world, being smart, and research based and clear will get you….well……no where.

Right now, the media wants the type of “crazy” that MeMe brings to her position. Again, I am not saying that I agree with her methods and all of her messages, but someone has to say “Enough” when it comes to what is going on with our kids.

Here are the facts:

1. One-third of all kids are now overweight or obese, and that number is growing everyday.

2. Children born in the year 2000 (my son included) have a one in three change of suffering from diabetes and black and Hispanic children have an over 50% chance.

3. Liquid calories are killing us all. No one should be drinking juice, real soda or sports drinks. They are lethal.

4. Kids don’t need all the crap that is served at parties. I’ll go a step further, parents and all adults don’t need the crap.

5. Martha Stewart just wrote a bestseller on cupcakes. Did we really need that? More variety of food only leads to overeating.

Years ago, parties were rare. People ate out on their birthdays and anniversaries. Now, the average American eats out something like 5 times a week and they have NO idea how many calories are in what they are eating. Even the New York University nutritionists underestimated the calorie count of most restaurant meals by 32% and they are PROS!

We are in a major death spiral…..Americans are heavier and getting more unhealthy everyday….and yet the government focuses on health care for everyone instead of prevention for everyone.

That is what MeMe, in her own way, is trying to do….prevent her kids from the inevitable health issues that will hit the vast majority of our children if we don’t stand up and take a position. Sure, it’s extreme, but her message is being heard.

My position:

Kids DON’T need treats everyday. My kids eat sweets and some fast food, but it is rare. My house is packed with fruits and vegetables from Costco, which makes it affordable.

Kids have to move. I know a ton of kids that do not get an ounce of activity. It’s up there with child abuse to not have your child moving.

Bottom line, most parents are to blame. My kids don’t have the money or the ability to go into a store or fast food restaurant and buy food. An adult has to take them. Stop taking them to these restaurants and they will stop eating the wrong food.

Start taking them to classes that promote movement, like ballet, karate, tumbling, soccer, you name it and that exposes them to activity and FUN.

Okay, I am getting off point, but really, when will we start to take responsibility for our actions.

Some of you may not like this post, but I do think we have to start taking a stronger stand because what we are doing isn’t working.

Jim