Re: the HORROR! No more birthday cupcakes in school!

Re: the HORROR! No more birthday cupcakes in school!

I admire their efforts to curb childhood obesity

but I agree with most posters. I don't think a weekly cupcake is hurting these kids. it's the McD's dinners several times a week and what they eat every day.

How about having nutrition classes (or at least pamphlets) for parents?

What about giving kids more physical education?
In my elementary school gym was just a time when we were let into the school yard and there were few, if any, organized activities. If you didn't want to break into a sweat you didn't have to.

I think there are bigger issues than cupcakes!

Re: the HORROR! No more birthday cupcakes in school!

Re: the HORROR! No more birthday cupcakes in school!

My sons school cut this out ( Catholic school in Queens) but they banned any treats, healthy or not.

They also banned running,physical activity in the school yard makes no sense. Wouldn't you think they'd want the kids to burn off the extra energy??

Re: the HORROR! No more birthday cupcakes in school!

Im going to start off saying that I cannot and will not read this entire thread, but I have read parts of it. Its just too long. I am going to take a few stabs at opinions from different perspectives. I promise, this WILL be long and rather tangential.

I am a teacher. Most of the kids in my school eat school lunches and snacks. School lunches stink. They are nutritious, but they stink. Most of the time, our children choose the alternative to a hot lunch which is either peanut butter and jelly or cheese. There is no whole milk in the school and all bread products served are either whole wheat or whole grain. Yet you cannot quite figure out what kind of meat is in the nugget - assuming that it is meat. Oftentimes, a patty is disguised as chicken, but is a "veggie compound" - and they wonder why kids spit it out. However on what they pass off as an individual pan pizza complete with non-meltable low-fat cheese, they top it with pepperoni. Pepperoni? What could be worse for the health of a kid than heavily salted processed pork products? Way to go DOE! Way to go!

I have had kids with serious hardcore obsessions with food for various reasons. They would eat a desk if they could chew it. I have had students that gained exorbitant amounts of weight as a result of medication - the likes of which they cannot exist in a classroom without. I have had students with pre-diabetic conditions whose parents will send them in with candy and a two sandwiches. Bread turns to sugar - poison. Genius. Regardless of whether or not it is my resposibility to feed or monitor the food intake of the kids, I do anyway. I would never forgive myself if a student developed a health problem if I could have prevented it. Once you are in the know - you know. I am a mandated reporter. If a parent sends in food with a child that has the potential to do harm, I contact the child's case worker in our building to clarify what they can and cannot eat to KEEP THEM SAFE. That is my job - that is my obligation. I do teach children with special needs. The medication can have an effect on appetite.

Now - my perspective as a genetically obese and surgically slim person. I grew up as the fat kid (not being PC here at all and frankly I don't care) in a land of beautiful and judgemental people. In fact, 3/4 of the children in my immediate family were at one time morbidly obese. As an adult, I am able to reflect and figure out exactly how I got to be 185 pounds at 14 years old and 200 pounds at 24 years old and then 260 pounds at 31.

Old habits die hard. I grew up in a home that served family style meals. Massive amounts of food were served each and every night. When we got tired from eating, we would sit and talk at the table as we would "graze." It was there, so we ate it, whether we were hungry or not. You couldn't find a potato chip, cookie pizza roll or anything construed as junk food in my parents home. Portion control did us in. 5000 calories of grilled chicken on a salad with balsamic vinagrette is STILL 5000 calories people! Our parents did nothing to stop us.

As kids, a parent is responsible for monitoring your food intake. But if they themselves are not monitoring their own, how can that be a positive influence. Its not. That was my particular situation.

The other aspect that contributed to the weight issue as children that was perpetuated into adulthood was complete and total inactivity. We were not moving. What a horrible disservice this is to do to a child. I have ZERO athletic ability (except for the bizarre ability to skate like a hockey player - dont ask). With the exception of my brother, we were not encouraged into physical activity AT ALL. Only recently, do I frequent a gym facility and work with a trainer because I am STILL clueless on how to build strength and endurance and I have no idea how to do it realistically and safely

I do not wish my social childhood upon any child - especially my own (when i have them). I was teased, taunted, threatened and frightened. As an adult, it transferred into becoming unwell, unmotivated, unfit and flat out disappointed in myself. After a major life altering decision, I am basically happy with what I look like, but horribly upset that I actually had to go to such extreme measures. I pray to G-d thatwhen I do have children, I can stop the cycle of obesity where it started - as a child in the home. I promised myself that I will do what I need to do to help my child be as active and healthy as possible.

Now finally to the topic in the OP - Id get there eventually, Allergies are one thing. If a kid is allergic, food culprits shouldnt be there. But that issue aside, one cup cake twice a month is not going to do a kid in. Get the kid away from the couch, off the computer and away from the video games. Buy the kids bicycles.

(Holy rant Batman!)

Message edited 9/18/2007 11:21:51 PM.