Healthy and active children

I wasn't sure which board to put this on, but since i am not a parent, I felt this one was best.

When DH and I go to Roosevelt Field, we often park on the top level at JC Penney because there is a lot of parking. Last week, as we walked through the store to get to the mall, I noticed something I never saw before in the girl's department. Apparently,they carry a line of plus size clothing for girls. I always knew that stores carried (what in my childhood) "husky" sizes for boys, but never clothing comparable in size for girls.

My first thought was "That would have come in handy when I was a kid." I was heavy and all of the cute and trendy clothing that my friends wore, I couldn't.

My SECOND thought was, that despite the fact that overweight little girls can have nice clothing that fits appropriately, I am wondering if this sends the right message.

I grew up so heavy and it was not a fun existence. I was taunted and teased. My social life could have been a heck of a lot better. As a child, I copied modeled behaviors from my family (parents AND siblings) and established poor eating habits that were easily transfered into adulthood. Though once on my own, I assumed all responsibility for my actions. After many attempts at diets and lifestyle changes to improve myself, I ended up having weight loss surgery and was rather successful (with no regrets).

When I saw this section of clothing for girls in the store, I couldn't help but think that maybe we could encourage our children to be more active. Being a child is so much more complex in this age than it was when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s. I hope and pray that my children are healthy and active. Shoot, if my son (should I have one) want to be a ballet dancer, thats fine - just as long as he sees the value of a fit life. I still struggle with it.

Any thoughts?

Re: Healthy and active children

I agree that some kids need to be more active and some parents need to be more mindful of what their kids are eating. But there is a need for larger sized kids clothing so that demand must be met. I think it would be even worse for bigger kids if they couldnt find nice clothes that fit them.

I know if I could go back and do it over again, I hope I would have the sense to be more careful about what I ate and how I treated my body.

Re: Healthy and active children

DW and I have always agreed that we don't care what sports our DC go into (DS is currently in karate), as long as they are in some sort of physical sport. If DS wants to take ballet, and DD wants to take up wrestling, I'll encourage them, as long as they stay active.

As far as the stores having clothes for bigger kids, it's just a matter of money. There is a huge market for bigger clothes, so the stores are just catering to the market. I don't think they are endorsing anything, just trying to make a buck.

Re: Healthy and active children

The way the sizing has changed they do need it. Kids clothes like adults seem to be smaller. My cousin daughter is in no way heavy & is active in sports. But, she has to wear a larger size then her friends. Also some girls seem to develop quicker. And they are to young to wear juniors clothes.

But, of course there is the majority that are just large & need to learn how to eat & get active. But, as someone else stated they are entitled to nice clothes as well.

Re: Healthy and active children

I could swear I remember Sears having a "Chubette" line or something like that?

I don't think it's really new...they have always had half sizes for big girls also.

No matter how unhealthy one may think it is, the girls need clothes so someone may as well sell them.

Re: Healthy and active children

Re: Healthy and active children

I think it is the parents job to give kids the right guidelines of what to eat and to encourage there kids to play sports or just be active outside with friends

but i do thinkt he clothes are necessary - i was the opposite very tiny for my age in height and weight - and when i was the age for junior clothes - i was still way to small and that was very hard - girls are a much larger range than boy based on development and the manufacturers need to try to geteveryone - but they also go where the money is

Re: Healthy and active children

I could not agree more with you Leslie! When I was growing up, we were constantly outside playing & riding bikes. It is a rarity if you see kids outside anymore even when it is nice out. My mom is a teacher & when you ask the kids what they are doing for the weekend, it usually consists of playing video games or going to the movies. Yet some of these activities are great, they should not be the dominating fact.

I think parents need to stress more to their kids how an active lifestyle should be maintained & the fast food should be limited. I understand that many parents are both working, but bringing in fast food every other night is not good for you child.

I don't mind what my kids want to do in terms of sports, but I will encourage them to be active. I have to agree though, all clothes seem to be cut smaller, even infant!!!!

Re: Healthy and active children

You bring up a lot of good points.

My SIL is going through this right now with my niece. She is turning 13 and in the last year and a half put on a staggering amount of weight.

Her parents are very active, exercise regularly, as well as her brother, sister and two cousins (both on travel soccer teams). Everyone in the family including her grandparents are very fit. Her mother is a great cook, makes many things from scratch with plenty of fruits and vegetables, no junk food and little meat.

They have brought her to the pediatrician for a "talk". My BIL and SIL (although they had very lil weight to loose) started WW as a good example for their daughter but nothing seems to be working. She is a couch potato. They have found candy wrappers and junk food wrappers hiddden in her room and behind the furniture. She must get the food from school or her friends.

It is getting almost impossible to get clothes for her.

I worry about kids who are like this because studies show many of them have undiagnosed diabetes. If she continues down this path, she will complicated her health and decrease her life expectancy. I also worry about the ridicule she will face from her peers. Teenage girls can be cruel when you don't have the "right" clothes and are not that "perfect" size 2.

Re: Healthy and active children

Re: Healthy and active children

I agree that there is a demand for the clothing. I would have been one to wear such clothing had it been available to me when I needed it. There is a market and there is money to be made.

As for the diabetes issue, it is getting worse and worse. I have had students that were 20-24 years younger than I am and they outweighed me by anywhere from 40-140 pounds with no exaggeration. A few of them were on a restricted diet because of diabetes or a pre-diabetic diagnosis. Diabetes is hard for some adults to manage. I cant imagine what it must be like for a child to watch his or her friends eat sweets and foods full of carbs.

I think I will take heed to my own thoughts. Maybe making cookies for them isnt such a good idea after all. OR maybe I just wont give them 10. A treat is ok, but in moderation.