The Labour Government will never ever cease to amaze me. Its like they form a roundtable and discuss about how best to implement the most nonsensical policies possible.
Today the papers revealed some twit has come up with the bright idea to inform parents of fat kids (no I won’t be politically correct and call them overweight) that they are just that… fat. You’ll get a lovely letter in the post letting you know your child’s BMI is above the ‘normal’ range. You’ll probably get the letter 6 months too late because of our inefficient bureaucrats, but you’ll get a letter nonetheless.
Not only do we have thousands of stupid weekly gossip magazines telling us how perfectly normal looking celebrities are ‘fat’ and instilling into our subconscious that we all resemble whales. We’ve now got the government making children feel even more inadequate than they already do. Mr Brown we all know the kids fat and the kids told their different every single week in the playground…they really don’t need it in writing.
Most kids can’t even read or sit still for more than 15 minutes. Oh no, but it doesn’t matter, when they grow up they’ll be skinny. Forget that they're semi-illiterates with the attention span of a goldfish. I do understand this is about their health and I am in no way encouraging obesity amongst children. But isn’t there a more practical and sensitive solution. This is not about sensitivity towards the parents but at the risk of showing my human side, I genuinely feel for the affected kids.
Mr Brown can you hear me? How about this. Simply increase the number of hours of Physical Education in the school curriculum and levels of funding into initiatives where kids can learn to enjoy sport. If they show promise create opportunities that would enable them to take it further.
And for crying out loud open up sports! Allow not-as privileged children to learn sports that are the domain of the elite such as Horse-Riding, Polo, Lacrosse, Cricket even Golf. We may just start winning something other than curling and rowing at the Olympics.
I’m a firm believer if this government built tennis courts in council estates (for my American readers their like projects sans cockroaches and a thousand times better) up and down this country, I guarantee we’d destroy the Henman curse and have a Wimbledon champion within the next two decades. Finally for parents that genuinely can’t afford the healthier option (we know organic food is expensive) give them health food vouchers.
Unfortunately I’m often the first to exclaim ‘My God look at her thighs’ when I see a friend that has expanded significantly since our school days. So I have decided to throw away my scales, not critique myself or anyone else on their weight and ‘calorie’ has become a word, which shall not be uttered.
I’d like you all to join me.
This includes men as well. Body consciousness affects everyone, I’m frankly sick of seeing friends that used to be medium/normal build suddenly morph into a cross between Johnny Bravo and a mutant. You’re all far too intelligent for me to patronise you with an empowerment new age catchphrase like ‘You're perfect the way you are’. Why? None of us are. None of us ever will be. However if you believe you're good enough. You’ll be ok. Embrace every singe pound, every flaw, every blemish and whatever the heck it is that bothers you.
Gorgeous Ladies and Strapping men of the world,
Arise!
Lift your heads up from the toilets.
And cease from bench pressing.
Burn those warped magazines.
Throw away the diet pills and steroids.
Binge on chocolate (don’t you dare purge).
Do away with Protein in liquid form.
And we may just spark a movement,
That allows our kids be kids.
Peace, Cake and Acceptance.
Excessive weight symbolizes a lack of discipline in my opinion. I do agree with your proposed government incentives... I think you should join a think tank xxx
ReplyDeleteI agree somewhat, however parents must take responsibility, it annoys me when I see a parent buying a can of coke for their child!! What about WATER?
ReplyDeletei loved this ! i also agree that obesity equates to a lack of discipline in both the child and their enabler i.e the parent. the government initiatives u suggested were good however not only kids from low income families are overweight and sumtimes pussyfooting and mollycoddling is ineffective obesity is an illness that decreases the quality of life and it is not ok for ppl like this to 'accept themselves the way they are they' need tochange! And playing waterpolo while secretly scoffing snickers and ten bags of hula hoops at night will not a healthy person make
ReplyDeleteOut here in new york it may be a state law, but wherever food is sold they have the calories posted on the menus
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