When did husky become the norm?

http://www.mtv.com/shows/i_used_to_be_fat/series.jhtml

There's a show on MTV called "I used to be Fat".  The show is clearly aimed at overweight teens.  Brilliant idea since childhood obesity is on the rise at a staggering level.  Google the word 'childhood' and the first link that pops up links you to 'childhood obesity'!  This truly breaks my heart.  The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has the ugly truth.  "Obesity now affects 17% of all children and adolescents in the United States - triple the rate from just one generation ago."  Is it because kids are too busy on Facebook and not running around outside?  Is it really McDonald's fault?  I mean what the hek is going on?

Even Mrs. Obama is aiming her efforts at this frightening trend.  We're not just talking about kids who are going up a size.  Most of these young people are looking at very bleak futures riddled with disease, aches and pains they would not face if it were not for the fact that they're overweight.

How many times have you seen families with kids and it's obvious their apples didn't fall from the tree?

It's not hard to tell they're all drinking  the same Kool-Aid.  I think, in cases like these, the duty falls on the parents to support and encourage their youngsters.  Not all families are created alike and some family members are super thin, eat whatever they want and don't gain weight.  They may have children who will forever struggle to look like them, but no matter which diet they try or exercise regime they flirt with...it's just not in the cards for them to be naturally thin.  However, if you as a parent have struggled with your weight and you see your child with the same build and same struggles....do something FOR THEIR SAKE!!!

In the episode of "I used to be fat", Josh's entire family was naturally thin and he was not.  He admitted that he did not want to diet because he enjoyed eating the same foods as the rest of his family.  Dieting, to him, was too hard and he'd rather 'feel good' and eat the double cheeseburger with his brothers.  Who can blame him?

But he found himself, at age 18, weighing in at 318 pounds.  He made losing the weight a priority and he succeeded.  Guess what one of the keys to his success was, MAKING SAVVY FOOD CHOICES!  Additionally he also made exercise a part of his daily life.  His parents were 110% behind him and were beyond thrilled their son exceeded everyone's expectations.

It's not rocket science and you don't need a master's degree to understand that every thing you eat will have some type of effect on your body.  That's why it's crucial, non-negotiable to make savvy choices about what you put into your mouth.  If you have children, there's no excuse in the world that will let you off the hook when it comes to helping your children make savvy choices, either.  We need to do something.  We need to look ourselves square in the eye and realize we have the power to reverse this trend.