Post: #1

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/natio...r/3312537/

Quote:A Fargo, N.D., woman says she will give trick-or-treaters that she deems "moderately obese" a letter instead of candy this Halloween.

"I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight. ... I think it's just really irresponsible of parents to send them out looking for free candy just 'cause all the other kids are doing it," the woman said in a morning radio interview with Y94. She wouldn't identify herself.

The letter states: "You child is, in my opinion, moderately obese and should not be consuming sugar and treats to the extent of some children this Halloween season."

It continues: "My hope is that you will step up as a parent and ration candy this Halloween and not allow your child to continue these unhealthy eating habits."

North Dakota State University assistant professor of clinical psychology Katie Gordon told Valley News Live in Fargo that the letter could be more emotionally damaging than helpful.

"It's just that kind of thing that for some kids, if they're vulnerable, might trigger major problems," Gordon said. "Even if a child is overweight, they might be very healthy because of what they eat and how they exercise. It's ineffective anyway because it's not likely to help the kid."

David Smith, a cardiologist in Doylestown, Pa., says that he thinks the woman is doing a public service.

"I think it's a tough-love letter," Smith. "Eating disorders are a problem but the magnitude of that risk just pales in comparison to obesity. Obesity in the last decade has taken over smoking as the leading health problem we face today."

"Giving candy to an obese child is like giving a cigarette to a person with emphysema," Smith says. "It is giving a drink to an alcoholic. It is giving heroin to a drug addict."

Post: #2

Man, "triggers" are becoming the newest buzzword

Its almost like we're robots and if the right sequence of words is said we are immediately able to abdicate all of our accountability.

Post: #3

Quote:Even if a child is overweight, they might be very healthy because of what they eat and how they exercise.

No, just no.

Post: #4

(10-30-2013 02:59 PM)kerouac Wrote:  http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/natio...r/3312537/

Quote:A Fargo, N.D., woman says she will give trick-or-treaters that she deems "moderately obese" a letter instead of candy this Halloween.

"I just want to send a message to the parents of kids that are really overweight. ... I think it's just really irresponsible of parents to send them out looking for free candy just 'cause all the other kids are doing it," the woman said in a morning radio interview with Y94. She wouldn't identify herself.

The letter states: "You child is, in my opinion, moderately obese and should not be consuming sugar and treats to the extent of some children this Halloween season."

It continues: "My hope is that you will step up as a parent and ration candy this Halloween and not allow your child to continue these unhealthy eating habits."

North Dakota State University assistant professor of clinical psychology Katie Gordon told Valley News Live in Fargo that the letter could be more emotionally damaging than helpful.

"It's just that kind of thing that for some kids, if they're vulnerable, might trigger major problems," Gordon said. "Even if a child is overweight, they might be very healthy because of what they eat and how they exercise. It's ineffective anyway because it's not likely to help the kid."

David Smith, a cardiologist in Doylestown, Pa., says that he thinks the woman is doing a public service.

"I think it's a tough-love letter," Smith. "Eating disorders are a problem but the magnitude of that risk just pales in comparison to obesity. Obesity in the last decade has taken over smoking as the leading health problem we face today."

"Giving candy to an obese child is like giving a cigarette to a person with emphysema," Smith says. "It is giving a drink to an alcoholic. It is giving heroin to a drug addict."

Haha this is a funny idea. Its informative that the female academic psychologist thinks that this is a bad idea, whilst the male doctor, who actually deals with the fallout of obesity, likes it.
Also I like how he debunks the bullshit that kids shouldn't lose weight because they may develop eating disorders. In terms of number affected these two are on different magnitudes.

Post: #5

(10-30-2013 03:09 PM)Cyr Wrote:  Haha this is a funny idea. Its informative that the female academic psychologist thinks that this is a bad idea, whilst the male doctor, who actually deals with the fallout of obesity, likes it.

Feels vs. Facts. Every female psychologist falls victim to this rubbish. They simply don't belong in the field if they're going to enable the defense mechanisms of others.

Post: #6

It's fucking Halloween. Let the fat kids have fun, there's precious little other times when they can go out in the real world and actually interact with people in their community. If they want to gorge their little faces it's not the end of the world. Their problems result from 364 other days of the year. Even though this woman supports our message she's a fucking killjoy...like most women.

Post: #7

Why the hell do people quote op's? Seeing obese kids is like seeing fat pregnant women; it looks so unnatural and strange.

Post: #8

Quote:North Dakota State University assistant professor of clinical psychology Katie Gordon told Valley News Live in Fargo that the letter could be more emotionally damaging than helpful.

"It's just that kind of thing that for some kids, if they're vulnerable, might trigger major problems," Gordon said. "Even if a child is overweight, they might be very healthy because of what they eat and how they exercise. It's ineffective anyway because it's not likely to help the kid."

And this is why nothing is getting done. Too many people are just unwilling to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done.

First, I'll address her caveat: "the child might be very healthy because of what they eat and how they exercise".

She's referring to the phenomenon detailed here. The metabolically healthy obese have been documented, but there are major caveats:

Quote:Metabolically healthy obesity isn’t common. And it may not be permanent, warns Dr. Hu. Just because a person has metabolically healthy obesity at one point doesn’t it will stay that way. With aging, a slowdown in exercise, or other changes, metabolically healthy obesity can morph into its harmful counterpart.

It’s also important to keep in mind that obesity can harm more than just metabolism. Excess weight can damage knee and hip joints, lead to sleep apnea and respiratory problems, and contributes to the development of several cancers.

Bottom line? Obesity isn’t good, even if it’s the metabolically healthy kind.

1. "Healthy" obesity is rare.
2. Healthy obesity is still not great.

She's doing no good by discouraging attempts to address a widespread issue by citing a rare exception that doesn't even disprove the "obesity isn't good news" rule.

Finally, the meat of the matter: the unwillingness to tell tough truths.

Obesity is bad for you.Sugars and sweeteners are key to spreading the epidemic. Obese kids shouldn't be messing with much Candy on Halloween.

These are all rational conclusions and all have got to be accepted if we're going to get anywhere in tackling this epidemic. If folks like this psychologist just want to continue tip-toeing around things in order to guard everyone else's feelings (rather than looking at the facts), then nothing will get done and we may as well just stop calling obesity a problem and learn to live with our current epidemic forever.

Post: #9

If a fat kid knocks on your door tmrw nite trick or treating, hand them a @Slimfast and a Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding #toughlove #halloween

I just tweeted this and Tom Leykis retweeted it. Let's spread the truth. Fuck the fatties.

Post: #10

(10-30-2013 03:50 PM)McQueensPlayboyRules Wrote:  If a fat kid knocks on your door tmrw nite trick or treating, hand them a @Slimfast and a Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding #toughlove #halloween

Cuz someone is gonna be talking to bunnies tomorrow night. jealous

Post: #11

I love the spirit of the idea, however it's a pretty mean thing to do to.a child on halloween. I think a better thing to do would be to give them the letter along with the candy.

Post: #12

Quote:female academic psychologist...

Post: #13

..

Post: #14

I wanted to post this. but you beat me.
I agree with this lady
Even this extremely beta ex fat kid is down with the cause

Post: #15

Let the fat kid have his fun -- give him a piece of fruit or granola.

Save the shaming letter for the fat kid's parents.

Actually, re-reading it, that's what it looks like she's trying to do -- the message is for the parents, not the kid. I think the shrink is confused on this point.

Post: #16

^^^^
Fat kids are a symptom of there parents. If you don't feed your kids crap they wont get fat. They have little to no money and if you don't feed them crap the only chance they get to eat it is at school or at a friends house.

They use the kids feelings as a smoke screen. its the parents for being lazy and useless for letting their own creations turn into piles of lard on their watch.

Post: #17

She should hide a camera on her porch and record the reactions

Post: #18

Post: #19

Every halloween I always stock up on my razor blades and apples just to see if i get any sort of funny response from the cashier.

I usually just give kids bottled water. if you are wearing a costume, you can get hot and thirsty.

Post: #20

Watch the woman be fat.

Post: #21

If it were up to me fat people would be put into mandatory fat camps. I would tax the hell out of them. I would also put a huge tax on foods that make people fat such as anything with high fructose corn syrup. A big reason the healthcare system is so screwed up right now is because of obesity. It's time obese people need to be held accountable for their actions. If this means moms giving letters to fat kids so be it. It has to start coming from us the people as citizens because the politicians and elite really don't care if we are fat or sick as long as they make their money.

Fat people need to realize right now that it's not just themselves they are affecting but the whole entire country. So that whole, "it's my body it's my life I can do what I want," bullshit doesn't fly anymore!

So yes start giving fat kids letters. Start calling fat people out when they are eating the wrong foods in public. All that. The fat revolution has begun and I'm at the front lines! Who's coming with me!?

Post: #22

This is some pussy, passive-aggressive bullshit. She's fucking with some little kids. There's nothing cool about that.

Why doesn't she go into a nice inner city and go around telling black women they are obese. Black women are the obesity leaders.

Fuck that bitch. Really. I hope she gets a rock thrown through her window.

Post: #23

^^^I get your point, however, I believe the woman is handing the letter to the parents which does make sense considering parents decide what their kids eat.

Plus when's the last time you saw kids trick or treating alone? Back when I was a kid yes, but not anymore.

Tommy: "Mommy!! I want Mac n Cheese and Dyno Chicken Fingers for dinner!!!"

Mommy: "I don't know Tommy, you've had thy the last three nights..."

Tommy: "I WANT IT NOW!!!!!"

Mommy: (after contemplating that she might actually have to cook a decent meal which might take her an extra 10minutes and this make her miss out on watching Keeping Up With The Kunt Kardashians)
"ok Tommy coming right up!"

Tommy: "I love you Mommy!"

Mommy: "I love you too"

Post: #24

I am all in favor of telling adults that they are committing child abuse by raising obese children.

Think back to being a kid. You ate what your parents let you eat. You don't have a choice.

So it doesn't make sense to blame the kids. Blame the parents.

I think raising an obese child is second only to child abuse and molestation in terms of being horrible crimes against humanity.

If she gives out the candy and hands the parents a letter, that's cool. But not giving the kid anything is just sorta mean.

I'm all in favor of "tough love," but with kids...They don't really seem to understand it.

Post: #25

I feel what your saying Mike. But...

All bets are off. Gotta come from all angles now to tackle the obesity problem. Even if that means white moms in nice neighborhoods handing out letters.

And I don't care what neighborhood you're in I'm pretty sure she's going to get shit for this from kids parents. Maybe even threatened.

Passive aggressive yes but it still takes a little balls in the society we live in to call people out and at least try to make a change. Even if its one fat kid.