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Subscribe to RSSWhat struck me about this recent group of images by Getty Images photographer John Moore was the involvement of the parents in this nutrition and weight loss program.
John Moore / Getty Images
Children hug their parents at the end of gym class as part of the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on Nov. 13 in Aurora, Colorado. The 10-week family-centered program held by the Denver area Children's Hospital teaches youth and their parents ways to lead a healthier more active lifestyle, as a longer lasting weight-loss alternative to dieting. Nationally, some 15 percent of children are overweight or obese, as are some 60 percent of adults.
I commend these parents for taking an active role in helping their kids make positive changes, and realize it must be an emotional and often difficult task for many reasons - perhaps not the least of them being feelings of guilt that they've found themselves in the position to need to take action for the benefit of their children's health.
Have you or other parents you know found yourself/themselves in this situation? Were there feelings of guilt, or was that overridden by a drive to help the child get healthy? Or am I off base on what it's like to go through this? Let us know in the comments below.
John Moore / Getty Images
Morgan DePalma, 7, does push-ups during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on Nov. 20.
John Moore / Getty Images
John Simms III and his daughter Mandy look over a nutritional guide during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on Nov. 13.
John Moore / Getty Images
Karley Workman (R),14, and her mother Patricia Gould try to do situps during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on Nov. 13 in Aurora, Colorado.
John Moore / Getty Images
Zoe McCoy, 9, stands atop a scale as her mother Clarisse Gonzalez shows her how much weight she lost during the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on Nov. 20.
John Moore / Getty Images
A group of children and their parents embrace after a group photo upon graduation from the Shapedown program for overweight adolescents and children on Nov. 20 in Aurora, Colorado.
For more stories on children and obesity, check out these two about the struggle of pre-teen brothers to lose weight, and the parental impact on fussy eaters.
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don't these parents understand that they are interfering with the government raising their kids! lol good job parents
Its good to see american families finally creating awareness is their children, obesity is a choice, good habits and choices need to be adopted as a healthy lifestyle. Its good to indulge in sweets but in moderation.
RickyBobby: NICE. Let me guess.....you don't have kids, hu? Let's hope not anyway.
My oldest son gained weight after we bought him his playstation years ago. It just became a habit for him to spend a lot of time gaming. My husband and I both worked full-time (I didn't want to but no choice) and eventually we realized as his bike and outdoor toys collected dust, he'd gained weight. We have since changed the way the entire family eats. Also we've worked with personal trainers to get the weight off, including my son. But this can really sneak up on you in this age of tv's and video games - everything has a screen anymore and that's what the kids like. I think it's great these parents are getting involved and making changes with their children. It's just a sign of our electronic times I think.
What do you know! MSNBC can post positive things about the family!
@ Dan-1506871--hmmm...this program was organized by the Children's Hospital in Denver, CO--not the parents--they just participated. Maybe you ought to check this organization's tax return before you declare there's no government interference here. Just a thought.
It looks like the apple from the tree...In this case " The Big Mac " doesn't fall far from the tree.
You really want a solution to this problem?........DON"T Feed your kids FAST FOOD!!!! Take some time from your " Busy schedule " go to the market...come home and prepare some healthy fare...In no time you'll see the results!!
I was an overweight child and have battled weight problems all my life. The first time I lost weight I was 15. No help from my family of course. It did teach me that I was independent and could accomplish something all on my own. I've gained and lost a lot of weight over the years and have finally learned how to eat and what I can and can't eat.
My heart goes out to these parents for helping their children. Those kids need all the help, love and encouragement they can get!!
The benefits of the "Hypersonic Weight Loss" system are almost too numerous to mention. For starters, I lost over 50 lbs and 37 inches of body fat. My hot flashes are gone and so are my muscle cramps. I haven't suffered from allergies since I started and I'm off 6 medications. I'm back to living life exactly how I want to!
I commend the parents for taking an active role in the health of their children. The intervention for healthy lifestyle should be family centered. I can imagine how difficult it would be for the parents to come to the realization that perhaps the weight of their child is not healthy. From my work with families I know it can be a difficult pill to swallow to be told that their child's weight is excessive and action needs to be taken. Guilt and denial play a huge role in most families ignoring the issue entirely. Most of the time early signs of rapid weight gain start as early as 2 years of age, a time where parents still view their children as having "baby fat," but in actuality it is the beginning signs of a trend that has lasting & serious consequences.