Childhood Obesity -- Should it be a crime?

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

Eating healthy definitely adds up but if it really matters to you the cost isn't a major issue. I'd rather spend my money on fresh fruits and veggies than loading up on junk food to save a few bucks.

As would I.

But I guess my question was about average cost. I am looking at this from an economic point of view. Ignoring work hours, preparation time, transportation costs, laziness, etc. is it on average cheaper to make your own healthy food?

Obviously all those other things I ignored matter a lot, but we have to first consider the bare costs, and if it is in fact cheaper to eat healthy then we can start looking to reasons like prep time, laziness, etc.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by hooskins

As would I.

But I guess my question was about average cost. I am looking at this from an economic point of view. Ignoring work hours, preparation time, transportation costs, laziness, etc. is it on average cheaper to make your own healthy food?

Obviously all those other things I ignored matter a lot, but we have to first consider the bare costs, and if it is in fact cheaper to eat healthy then we can start looking to reasons like prep time, laziness, etc.

It's definitely more expensive to buy healthy foods and prepare meals from scratch vs. buying meals you prepare from a box.

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

It's definitely more expensive to buy healthy foods and prepare meals from scratch vs. buying meals you prepare from a box.

Cool, that is what I thought but I was unsure because I haven't really ever had to spend for more than myself, and I still have my parents to fall back on.

I was suspicious because as a child I didn't each much that wasn't made at home. I always thought we did that because it was cheaper, but I guess I should be grateful my parents put emphasis on eating healthy food made at home.

[saden1]

I do all my cooking in a rice cooker. It's easy...and everything the comes out is perfectly cooked/steamed and it tastes delicious.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Wow, this is calling for some serious government intervention into our lives.

First, there can be a ton of reasons why a kid would be overweight. It could flat out be an unhealthy lifestyle, like you said. But there are a myriad of medical reasons for obesity, it could also be a thyroid problem, a genetic condition, a psychological problem, etc. And a bigger concern: a financial problem. Healthy food is way more expensive than stuff you can get from McDonalds. And if you don't have the cash to buy healthy food, chances are you're more likely to live in an area where it's not safe to have your kids playing outside and getting exercise.

Absent a medical problem, or genetic predisposition, or financial constraints, and you still are feeding your child junk with no exercise, then I can see your point. But way too many kids have extenuating circumstances. The notion that you could possibly enforce a law like this shows a complete lack of understanding of the social issues at play when it comes to childhood obesity.

Not to mention the government should not be telling us how to raise our kids (personal opinion).

Horrible idea.

That is BS that eating healthy is more expensive then eating at McDonalds and is just an excuse for goverment to increase aid and our taxes. Here is my cost to feed a family of four. Whole chicken chopped up $5.00, two cans of green beens $1.50, cut up boiled or baked potato's $2.00, throw in bread $2.00 or fruit of some kind $2.50. Tahts a total of $13.00 which is $3.25 and you cannot eat at Mcdonalds for less than that. I could do this for $10.00 a day but I wanted it to seem closer to real.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Actually, this whole argument is further reason why it's important to stay in school, don't do drugs, don't get pregnant, don't start smoking, graduate, get a good job that pays you well, and marry somebody (and stay married) before having kids.

It puts you in a better position to have the money you need and the spousal support you need to provide kids with even basic nutrition. For some families the constraint is money. For others it's time.

If you get your ass through school, you'll make more money. If you have someone to raise kids with, between the two of you the time can be managed.

Family values. It affects everything, even kids' nutrition.

I think I agree more with this statement then anything you have ever said. People don't plain to fail they fail to plain. Sounds stupid but it is the truth.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by firstdown

That is BS that eating healthy is more expensive then eating at McDonalds and is just an excuse for goverment to increase aid and our taxes. Here is my cost to feed a family of four. Whole chicken chopped up $5.00, two cans of green beens $1.50, cut up boiled or baked potato's $2.00, throw in bread $2.00 or fruit of some kind $2.50. Tahts a total of $13.00 which is $3.25 and you cannot eat at Mcdonalds for less than that. I could do this for $10.00 a day but I wanted it to seem closer to real.

At McDonald's, you can get a double cheeseburger for 99 cents, an order of fries for 99 cents, and a small soda for 99 cents.

Or instead of the soda, get another double cheeseburger or an ice cream sundae, and then drink water from the tap with your meal. $3 meal.

The McDonalds dollar menu is the modus operandi of tons of poor people in this country, and is the biggest reason why McDonald's came under such harsh criticism for failing to provide healthy alternatives.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I think I agree more with this statement then anything you have ever said. People don't plain to fail they fail to plain. Sounds stupid but it is the truth.

Yeah. They fail to plan and then cry out for the government to help them.

I say if you can't plan your own life properly, why should the government plan to help you?

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by EternalEnigma21

it's not always as cut and dry, but it definitely should be looked upon as a form of neglect and abuse, and investigated by child protective services, with help for the problem offered before punishment is dealt.

So, yes I agree a much bigger deal should be made, but do you cut it off and take a child away from a loving family because the parent doesn't have discipline? And at what point do you enforce the law... there's a lot of gray area there, in which you may do a child more harm than good in punishing the family (and the kid) for the actions of the parents.

I agree pretty much 100% with this post. There's no way you can just prosecute without investigating the circumstances, and education should always be the first step. But if education is given and the situation continues, then prosecution should absolutely be an option.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

At McDonald's, you can get a double cheeseburger for 99 cents, an order of fries for 99 cents, and a small soda for 99 cents.

Or instead of the soda, get another double cheeseburger or an ice cream sundae, and then drink water from the tap with your meal. $3 meal.

The McDonalds dollar menu is the modus operandi of tons of poor people in this country, and is the biggest reason why McDonald's came under such harsh criticism for failing to provide healthy alternatives.

And toss in the convenience of it and you can see why it's such an easy option vs. cooking at home.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

First, there can be a ton of reasons why a kid would be overweight. It could flat out be an unhealthy lifestyle, like you said. But there are a myriad of medical reasons for obesity, it could also be a thyroid problem, a genetic condition, a psychological problem, etc. And a bigger concern: a financial problem.

You guys may take this as ignorant, and perhaps it is, but i've always wondered that if all of the above cited reasons for obesity were so prevalent, why is it that we don't see all of these 300 lb behemoth's in third world countries? Say what you want, how you want it, but the simple truth is that you CANNOT be overweight if you are not consuming more calories than you are burning. Period.

Now I'm not a doctor, don't even play one on tv, but it's simple common sense. I do not doubt the validity of each and every one of those medical conditions which Schneed mentions, but I believe the VAST majority of the grossly overweight children you see are a product of lazy lifestyles and ridiculously unhealthy diets. These terribly unfit parents who allow, or God forbid ENCOURAGE this lifestyle in their children, are the first to come up with excuse after excuse mostly involving false claims pertaining to the aforementioned conditions. In these cases, I see no issue with prosecuting those who, after receiving education and subsequent monitoring, continue endangering the health of their children.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by hooskins

Quake you run a 8 min mile while over 300lbs? I am sure you are in shape, but I am still in disbelief. It just doesn't physically possible to me.

I swear to god when I was in HS I was in the 290-315 pound range and I always ran in the 7:50-8:15 range. Just dont stop running, when you stop you get tired and it takes alot more energy to start then it does to stop, so I just keep going.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

Originally Posted by saden1

He could be all muscle? Nah, I got to go with you and call b.s.

If you want I can fly you out here and you can time me.

[EARTHQUAKE2689]

My whole family is athletic as well, so I always have been athletic growing up even though I have always been overweight, I just dont let it get to me. And I have seen a few people over 300 pounds run a 8 minute mile.

[EternalEnigma21]

Originally Posted by EARTHQUAKE2689

If you want I can fly you out here and you can time me.

how much is a plane ticket to inside my girlfriend?