There has been so much about obesity in the media recently, adult and child obesity rates are on the rise. Today people are getting fatter and fatter, whose fault is that? As an adult it’s your fault. I can’t imagine that there is anyone out there who wants to be obese. Being overweight or obese makes lives harder and is one of the major causes of illness and death. Being overweight is bad for our health. So, if we had a choice, would anyone really choose to be obese? I believe not. We as adults have a choice, but our children do not as they are dependent on us, as providers, as teachers, as guardians we are responsible for shaping their lives.
So let's give our children the best and lead by example. What our children eat will determine their future health and well-being. Research in Ireland shows approximately one in four primary school children are now overweight or obese, with 6% of three-year-olds classed as being obese.
We all need to accept that there are many people who struggle with their weight. For most of them, it is not a choice but a constant battle against ‘things’ like slow metabolisms; their inability to resist temptation and the "miss-selling" of food by companies and restaurants. I'm tired of people not taking responsibility for their lives. It's your life, it's your responsibility, stop blaming everyone else. People know the truth, they choose to deny it and lie to themselves. It is everyone's individual responsibility to watch what they put in their bodies and how they feed their children.
The undeniable truth is: If you eat more calories than you burn, then you will get fatter. Fewer excuses, less calories, more exercise! And yes, some will find this harder than others but this is just the way it is. These problems can, of course, be solved - but require changes in attitude and of course the desire to achieve change! ‘We are What we Eat’ We need to eat less and move more to beat the obesity epidemic, make practical changes to everyday lifestyle habits like smaller portion sizes, fewer treats, less time in front of the television, being active. Yes, it takes work and it's not easy, but only you can change your life.
If you want to be healthy, eat real food and eliminate highly processed foods. The best thing you can do for yourself and your children, is eat healthier. Make those healthier food choices. Try cooking real food - not just heating up packaged, prepared ready meals. And while you are clicking the television remote tonight watching your television - do not complain about being too busy to at least try cooking a real meal. Is it laziness, busyness or lack of education that stops us cooking from scratch?
How long does it take to fry some fish or make a quick salad? You will more than often find your home cooked meal will be served, eaten and enjoyed long before the oven has even reached temperature to cook some ready meal you have just pulled from the freezer. People may say but I can't cook, can't or won't, learn, do you go through life not doing things because you want someone else to do them for you, someone else to take responsibility, it's your responsibility, learn, teach yourself. You learn to walk, run, dance, drive - learn to cook!
Food education is not the governments responsibility, it is yours and must start in the home. Lifestyle and bad food choices? It's your life, it's your responsibility. A cultural shift is needed, life is short, don't take it for granted, we all want our children to have a bright future, let's make the change with food, eat real food and reduce processed foods. Eat regular varied home cooked meals with your children. Good food choice and cooking is not just the responsibility of women, men need to take responsibility for their own and their children's well-being too. So men play your part and learn to cook!
Negative health impacts of excess weight can impact on you and your child's quality of life. Your children learn healthy habits from you, so lead by example and make the change. Start by making small changes in your everyday family lives. Please, if not for yourself, do it for the children!
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