"fat children" news and stories

At Blogging Baby, a blogger admitted to bribing her kids with food on occasion, to ensure good behavior. Many commenters supported this decision and said that they do the same thing. Most were rewarding their small children with something equally small, like a single M&M or a Pez, and a few used foods like french fries and ice cream. But a toddler can be more easily satisfied with a single small candy than a four or seven year old, so at some point, the system either must stop or escalate.

One commenter said that she relied on healthier treats, like pretzels and fruit, for her kids but giving kids healthy foods did not seem to be the most popular choice.

Is this reliance on treats, especially candies, hurting kids when it comes to developing healthy eating habits later in life? Isn't it establishing food as a reward, a system that has led to the often-cited "obesity epidemic" in kids? It is true that the 4.5 calories in one M&M won't make a huge difference over time, but if that turns into a pack a day habit at some point, it certainly could have an impact on the child's health and the way they perceive food in general.

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Did you know that McDonald's is more profitable in France than any other European country? With over 1 million French men and women eating there every day, it is hardly surprising. It also is not surprising that the "French paradox," the term applied to the idea that the French are famous for eating rich and fatty foods without gaining a significant amount of weight, is falling by the "weigh"-side.

According to the New York Times, the adult obesity rate in France is rising steadily at about 6% per year, but the children's obesity rate is nearly triple that rate. With the nation currently reporting 42% of its population as overweight or obese - compared to 65% of the US population - France may meet or exceed the US rates in as few as 10 years.

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