Does it matter to you whether or not your kids end up fat?

Question

I think deep down a normal person wouldn't want their kid to be out of shape, but no one really wants to care as long as the kid is happy is that true?

What would be more of a horror to you, having your child be anorexic or morbidly obese?

Answer 1

I definitely do not want either of my boys to be fat. I have two boys one that is a complete health nut and the other that will eat everything sweet he can get his hands on, that is what I let him get his hands on. I have to monitor him which is hard sometimes but I refuse to be the parent that just sits back and lets my kid eat because it makes him happy while he gets made fun of at school for being the fat kid.

I think the parents that allow their children to be morbidly obese should be charged with child abuse or neglect because they are putting their children at risk for serious life threatening diseases.  

Answer 2

It does matter how your kids turn out. It's not about being fat/overweight, its about being healthy.

Answer 3

Both would be a horror.  I would like to teach my children the importance of good health, so that they can have a happy, normal life.

Answer 4

My daughter is thin (normal not extreme) and just found out she has high cholesterol so NO I would not want my kids to end up fat/obese, for health reasons and for their own confidence level as well. The stupid pediatrician told her to eat high fat foods to gain weight 2 yrs ago. Now she has high cholesterol. Ole' doc should have tested my daughter's blood before putting her on that high fat diet.

My husband's family are all fat and unhealthy and it just isn't worth it to let oneself go like that. Anorexia is the opposite extreme and also not healthy. Everyone needs a little padding on their bones; not too much, not to little. . .eat in moderation using a well balanced, healthy diet for a lifetime.

Answer 5

It matters to me that my kids end up HEALTHY.  Body size of thin or fat isn't the issue, isn't an issue, it is their health and finding a HEALTHY weight that matters.  Being anorexic is just as physically dangerous as being morbidly obese, so I won't pick between the two.  

Health is what we need to stress to our kids, not body size or image.

Answer 6

i think it would bother me because our kids are a reflection of us and our parenting. we should be good role models and help them stay fit. exercise will always be important in our house. you say as long as the kid is happy, well they wont be happy when they are older. they will get made fun of, develop early health problems, not be able to join sports or clubs, its all harder!

i would rather them be morbidly obese, anorexia is just a really scary mental illness.

Answer 7

I would be very concerned if my kids were fat. It's unhealthy to be overweight, period, and it's one of parents' jobs to teach their kids healthy eating habits.

Answer 8

I'd feel like I failed them in a way.

I'd be feeling like I hadn't shown them the correct way to eat and take care of themselves.

I don't know anyone who had has had either of these eating problems and been truly happy with themselves.  

Answer 9

it would be a horror if either of those things happened to any of my kids!

Answer 10

I would like to see my kid grow up healthy, so it would definitely matter to me.

Answer 11

Both of those examples would be unacceptable to me. I can't choose between them because they both cause early death. Healthy eating habits are CRUCIAL in life. I would fell equally devastated in either circumstance.

A little over weight or a little underweight- I can deal with. An excess in either- would be a major issue.

Answer 12

i think if my son is at a healthy weight then its fine. too fat causes illness and too skinny is scary. just feed your child healthy food and let them run around everyday. no couch potatoes thats no good.  

Answer 13

They would be equally horrifying.  I would not mind my child being overweight or underweight as long as his overall health was o.k., but obesity and anorexia nervosa are not things I would ever wish for my child.  

Answer 14

Of course it matters. If my kids were fat I would not love them any less, but I would never encourage unhealthy eating and if they were obese I'd do everything to get them back to a healthy weight.

People who let their kids get obese are irresponsible, lazy, and selfish parents.

As for anorexia or obesity, both would be terrible. They both cause severe damage to the body.

Answer 15

If my child were obese I'd think I'd failed him in terms of health and health education as well as providing physical activity. If my child were anorexic, I'd wonder why he were so desperate for control over SOME part of his life.

I'm a Certified Kinesiologist, Personal Trainer and on and on and on, I work in a community centre running a program I developed combating childhood obesity. I care if my child is out of shape.