tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post2603373638597424947..comments2024-03-15T04:01:53.036-04:00Comments on Cranky Fitness: Children and Body Image: Uh Oh.Crabby McSlackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-70780158970699646982011-09-21T07:00:21.537-04:002011-09-21T07:00:21.537-04:00Great topic and I agree with the points you’ve pre...Great topic and I agree with the points you’ve presented. I personally battled with bulimia for 20 years before I could finally break free of this addiction. From my experience I have seen that information like this can <a href="%E2%80%9Dwww.help-with-bulimia.com/about/%E2%80%9D" rel="nofollow">help people with bulimia</a> and those around them to cope better. Please keep up the good work.Pollyhttp://www.help-with-bulimia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-72354170968222340922009-12-15T18:26:37.793-05:002009-12-15T18:26:37.793-05:00When I was in high school (which was only a few ye...When I was in high school (which was only a few years ago), the only thing that kept me from being anorexic or suffering from eating disorders was my sports- I have always been an overachiever, and I wanted to be skinny and I wanted to be a great athlete- and I, luckily, chose athlete. Also, I was educated, far beyond what I would have liked at the time, at the effects it has on your body. I hated throwing up with a passion, maybe since I associated it with being sick and bedridden. I once tried to stop eating, but I only lasted 2 days. I don't think the adults really understand the full impact it has on kids. If you were a total b*tch and wanted to insult someone, you called them fat. You called them ugly. The ultimate, undeniable insults.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-37658255083855055512009-01-02T23:33:00.000-05:002009-01-02T23:33:00.000-05:00Sadly, I'm not surprised. I went to an all-girls ...Sadly, I'm not surprised. I went to an all-girls school during my freshman year of high school and it was a regular occurrence for girls to take group trips to the bathroom after lunch to purge. (That always seemed insane to me; I never joined.) I think that people are so obsessed with the "ideal" that they don't think about the fact that most of these people with the "perfect" bodies aren't actually healthy. Kids mimic and internalize what their parents do ... and it stays closer to being "skinny" than "healthy." That's just one more thing I'd like to work on with the social work degree I'm in the middle of ...Kristyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01522997693441776486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-19450451353812912412008-12-27T03:41:00.000-05:002008-12-27T03:41:00.000-05:00I dont have children nor there are any kids in my ...I dont have children nor there are any kids in my life (my fiancee's entire family is three other adults and my only sibling never had kids) but I remembering dabbling in bulimia starting at age 15. I wasn't overweight, but I was "getting there". <BR/><BR/> Being African American, the common stereotype is that eating disorders doesn't happen in our community so no one noticed. Even to this day the other person who knows is my partner (and now, you). <BR/><BR/>I'm shocked that its happening with such young children now!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-1746043362318571952008-12-23T18:26:00.000-05:002008-12-23T18:26:00.000-05:00Shocking concept, yes, but I'm not surprised. I am...Shocking concept, yes, but I'm not surprised. I am however glad I have sons. When my guys were in elementary school, I spent a lot of time helping out in the classroom and would be privy to snippets of conversation. Several healthy-looking girls were concerned with their weight and even at such a young age, were cruelly critical of overweight children. Things seem to get worse in that respect as time goes on. There needs to be a way to get kids fit and healthy without the sick compulsion to be thin.Hilaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12787493532006658679noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-51309242282341397312008-12-23T14:48:00.000-05:002008-12-23T14:48:00.000-05:00My first grader told me one of her classmates won'...My first grader told me one of her classmates won't eat her lunch because she doesn't want to get fat. Knowing the mom, this doesn't surprise me. The mom's not rail thin, she rarely exercises (I can report, since she walks past me to get to Zumba -- when she's there), and she complains about her weight.<BR/><BR/>I tell my daughter that what's important is being FIT. Being strong and capable. Making good food choices. My kids see me go to the Club; they often come with me (my son and I go to while away the 90 minutes while my daughter's in dance). We try to be as physically active as possible.<BR/><BR/>I think my daughter gets it, even though my body fat and lean body mass are a bit out of proportion in the wrong way. Even though I have a torn ligament in my hip and a SI crest that's less stable than a falling-down-drunk. But she sees me striving to be my best, physically. <BR/><BR/>It's the best I can do for her. I hope it's enough.Susan Helene Gottfriedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12778191943289129869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-15215267148937040842008-12-23T11:01:00.000-05:002008-12-23T11:01:00.000-05:00Great post Crabby, and you're right, it's so sad. ...Great post Crabby, and you're right, it's so sad. Believe it or not, I haven't really seen it much even though between my kids and their teammates you'd think it would've come up by now. My youngest is 13. Most of her friends are very athletic and healthy, but no signs of eating disorders, some are a bit thin, some a bit heavier, but none seems to be having issues. Knock wood.<BR/><BR/>I do know that we parents and coaches need to be very very careful with what we say to young kids about their bodies. Many times, a kid who is prone to an eating disorder will be triggered by a single comment from a "well meaning adult". <BR/><BR/>I think your other readers have been spot on. I agree you should just provide healthy food and healthy activities, don't leave junk food around the house. If they are in a healthy environment they have a much better chance.Juicebox.momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12412621435268979016noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-45443197767334612722008-12-23T10:56:00.000-05:002008-12-23T10:56:00.000-05:00If any of y'all in the US work with girls, or want...If any of y'all in the US work with girls, or want to help ... check out the BodyWorks program. You can get trained and work with girls and their families to help them make better lifestyle choices regarding nutrition, fitness and health.<BR/><BR/>http://www.womenshealth.gov/BodyWorks/<BR/><BR/><BR/>They're in the process of developing one for boys too.gizmogirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00692507354373401470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-16325105710089771652008-12-23T02:09:00.000-05:002008-12-23T02:09:00.000-05:00I'm not shocked at all. As the mother of four dau...I'm not shocked at all. As the mother of four daughters, I tried to teach my kids healthy habits, plus be happy with how they looked. I'm not concerned with name brands, in fact, I made many of the clothes my kids wore. They never seemed to mind. (Although they did like the idea of buying jeans................:)<BR/><BR/>I firmly believe parents set the terms of how kids feel about themselves and the habits they develop. Of course, when they start school, other influences come in to play, but still, home is the end of the line, especially with children as young as you're refering to.<BR/><BR/>One rule I had in my house was if the kids wanted an "unhealthy" snack, I'd ask them how many fruits or vegetables they had eaten. If the number was less than 4, they didn't get an unhealthy snack until they reached 5 fruits or vegetables. After asking a few times, they stopped asking until they had eaten 5.<BR/><BR/>I don't know about other families, but it worked for me............:)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-9541227937134338232008-12-23T00:00:00.000-05:002008-12-23T00:00:00.000-05:00It certainly is alarming to see children with such...It certainly is alarming to see children with such destructive self-perceptions and practices, but at what age is it acceptable to be weight-obsessed? Everyone, use the concern you feel for these children and apply it to the adults you know, as well. Let everyone you know know that the most straightforward path to health is self-acceptance (because no one is encouraged to do good things for herself when she feels she'll be lazy or worthless or undesirable or a bad person if she goes over a certain weight). We all must be examples for children. They need to see us live healthy lives--loving ourselves unconditionally and treating ourselves well accordingly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-6704550140426879462008-12-22T22:25:00.000-05:002008-12-22T22:25:00.000-05:00Diana is right on with her comments. My girls are...Diana is right on with her comments. My girls are normal healthy active kids, but I was shocked when several years ago "my sheltered PBS only watching" 4 year old asked if she was too fat. I have always promoted being healthy and maintaining positive self image even though there is such pressures at school and in society in general to be super thin.<BR/> Now that my girls are in middle school,I'm battling all new sets of problems - stuff I dealt with in high school and college. (No 12 year old should have to deal with friends doing drugs or being put on birth control, someone being molested, and/or a friend attempting suicide. And yet, sadly these are all issues we have dealt with just this year.) <BR/>Unfortunately, they are growing up way too fast. <BR/>Thanks for the great post.Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08319061272811274524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-11732285276998253862008-12-22T21:40:00.000-05:002008-12-22T21:40:00.000-05:00I don't have kids, and I'm rarely even around chil...I don't have kids, and I'm rarely even around children, but I find this really, really disturbing. Just to think that so many kids are putting so much value on what they look like. :(Jennhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12985152906442560096noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-48378121296149108942008-12-22T19:33:00.000-05:002008-12-22T19:33:00.000-05:00Studies like this almost make me glad my kids have...Studies like this almost make me glad my kids have Autism. At least my 5 year-old isn't bingeing and purging!<BR/>I do remember being 8 years old and talking with my friends about being too fat and wanting to go on a diet. This would be in the late 70's.<BR/>ALL the women in my life were constantly dieting, and everyone kept saying to me "You're not fat yet, but you have to be careful." <BR/>At age 8.<BR/>My food intake was very closely monitored. Surprise, surprise (not!), I developed bulimia and then anorexia. I still struggle with food issues to this day. But I'm working on it. 'Cause I don't want my daughter OR my son to grow up with that!azusmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08833120044345423052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-19213415902303835562008-12-22T17:08:00.000-05:002008-12-22T17:08:00.000-05:00I am a mom of two and it scares the hell out of me...I am a mom of two and it scares the hell out of me. Check out this article -http://www.fitafterthirty.com/health-beauty/for-the-love-of-carbohydrates-stop-the-celebrity-body-bashing/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-39580122383682451402008-12-22T16:06:00.000-05:002008-12-22T16:06:00.000-05:00As a grandmother who has had weight control issues...As a grandmother who has had weight control issues since pre-school, I focus on healthy snacks and physical activity when I babysit my grandkids. <BR/><BR/>Nothing should be called a treat if it has the potential to make them sick in adulthood, or obesse in the near term.<BR/>TerrieTerrie Farley Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04980849018232866773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-74452593739697325902008-12-22T15:05:00.000-05:002008-12-22T15:05:00.000-05:00I find it is helpful to focus young girls off thei...I find it is helpful to focus young girls off their weight issues by repeatedly mentioning their poor complexion. They completely forget about their weight then.Nitmoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17108597328135023198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-34671236675474337162008-12-22T14:58:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:58:00.000-05:00My own mom had her own issues and passed some of t...My own mom had her own issues and passed some of those issues on to a few of us (kids). She padlocked food in the cupboard. She didn't know we used screwdrivers to get into the cupboard when she left. Locking up food is pretty freaking strange. She never appeared fat to me but she created food monsters.Levihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07369763028982948026noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-86719190902911594772008-12-22T14:56:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:56:00.000-05:00That is so very incredibly depressing news... I do...That is so very incredibly depressing news... I don't remember it being much of an issue for me (born in '82). We were outside a lot and I always danced, played tennis,etc. I do remember being 10 out shopping with my parents at the PX and they had me step on a scale. I weighed just over 100 and I could tell they were upset (before growth spurt - i'd grown out not up so i was pudgy). They started cooking more and I ate lots of chicken, rice and vegetables and then I shot up at least 6" and never had a "weight problem" again. In fact, they worried a few years later I was too thin! Point being... I remember being aware not of my weight - but of what others expected of me and how I "should be." I never thought in a million to do something like binge/purge - and it breaks my heart that it's even on these children's radar...fittingbackinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03936508772597439162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-3290513798468680952008-12-22T14:47:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:47:00.000-05:00I'm surprised it starts so young! I know that it ...I'm surprised it starts so young! I know that it definitely revs up around middle school, but elementary school was blessedly nice as far as body image was concerned (except for the boys pulling my bra strap when my chest started to fill in). I would've thought that body image issues would go hand in hand with puberty and wanting to be noticed by boys, and 5 is way too young to worry about any of it.<BR/><BR/>I never had an ED, though I did eat more than I should have (just not to a clinical extent). I would always get some kind of sugary snack after school, either a candy bar or a bag of cookies or whatever, and I always thought of myself as heavier than I was.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-29549361681112395552008-12-22T14:34:00.000-05:002008-12-22T14:34:00.000-05:00When I was about 7, I heard from the older kids ab...When I was about 7, I heard from the older kids about purging. I wanted to fit in so I tried, but my mother caught me. She made me promise never to do that again, and told me those girls were stupid. I never did it again.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-20204114803409974592008-12-22T13:54:00.000-05:002008-12-22T13:54:00.000-05:00I link the eating disorders with the pressure that...I link the eating disorders with the pressure that parents seem to put on their children these days. Not all parents, and certainly not due to a lack of loving, but for some reason many parents feel impelled to drag their children to things like cheerleading classes -- when the child is four or five years old.<BR/>Speaking as a childless expert, damn it a five year old should be out having fun, not put into competitions. I have spoken.<BR/>Sad but good post, Ms. Crab.The Merryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09660495393832517684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-88378951270063001932008-12-22T13:33:00.000-05:002008-12-22T13:33:00.000-05:00I like your link to Poutine as Mizfit just asked m...I like your link to Poutine as Mizfit just asked me what this creation was. As for the children binging and purging. It's sad, but true. I work with kids as a coach and I see some instances of it. What's worse. The kids I work with have active and involved parents. Parents that want the best for them and work hard to be a positive part of their lives. :( It's sad, but I can't say I'm surprised. Have you seen BRATZ dolls? They're worse than barbie ever was.SeaBreezehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00486587826946757928noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-19245578334322173512008-12-22T11:05:00.000-05:002008-12-22T11:05:00.000-05:00I've just been commissioned to write a book called...I've just been commissioned to write a book called Keeping our children out of Food Jail... so sadly I have to say that your article doesn't shock me one little bit. Writing this book has been an absolute eye-opener.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-15066644917886483852008-12-22T10:59:00.000-05:002008-12-22T10:59:00.000-05:00Wow, messymimi, great advice. It sounds like you'...Wow, messymimi, great advice. It sounds like you're doing all the right things and your kids are fortunate to have such sensible parenting!<BR/><BR/>And I loved Little Miss Sunshine Tom!<BR/><BR/>TAx, that's an interesting point about taking the focus off body image all together. And I hadn't realized that for some kids with eating disorders, that the urge to self destruct is a separate issue from the food/eating/body image issue. That's scary!<BR/><BR/>And Diana, middle school is when they start having sex now? Oh dear, am I ever out of touch!<BR/><BR/>These are all such great comments--as a non parent, and someone who hasn't had to deal with an eating disorder myself, I feel like I'm learning so much!Crabby McSlackerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12108791388350253344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1704170106558126102.post-60336371081895913562008-12-22T10:23:00.000-05:002008-12-22T10:23:00.000-05:00The thought that there was something wrong with me...The thought that there was something wrong with me never even crossed my mind until I overheard my step-mother explaining to her friend that I just had "baby fat" and would grow out of it...we were on the beach and I was 12. Until that point, life was good then the scarf and barf started. I was shocked some of this started at 5, that seemed young...but then again isnt 12 just as bad? For the record, I was not fat by any standard but just easily influenced by the waifish girls trotting on the beach who looked nothing like my short athletic frame and the cruel words of someone who was supposed to protect me.<BR/><BR/>The family life of those 5 year olds should be severely cross examined, monkey see, monkey do! I consider chiding someone into an eating disorder a form of child abuse. <BR/><BR/>Lets not forget Barbie and those stupid Bratz dolls. Little plastic tramps.Whobodyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09387161361288431138noreply@blogger.com