Saw this on the Weight Watchers ad last night, "7 million Australians overweight". Thats one-third of our population, quite unrealistic if u ask me. I know some aussies love their take-away and fast food, but never thought that our country was some what overweight. What do u think?

have u havent seen the site, u can watch it here (http://www.letsgetstarted.com.au/).

Well besides vegimite I don't know alot of Australian cuisine ha ha. But yeah, there is alot of crap out there. After I came back from going around Europe for 3 months I lost 5 kilos with out even trying. I didn't even realise till one of my teachers asked if I have lost weight and I weighed myself that night. I ate the best food overseas it was great. I came back to australia and it was like, ohhhhhh WHY!??. But that's not to say there aren't healthier alternatives out there, but I think the Australian public is more about getting the food quickly and not making it.

Yep, and I'm dedicated to making it 7 million and one, with a little help from my friends (and Doritos).

Australia has an abundance of the freshest fruit, vegetables, grains, dairy, meat and poultry. To a varying degree depending on the area you live, pure drinking water. All this beautiful produce is continually changing with the season which provides constant variety.
Having said all of that, Fast Food outlets are in every neighbourhood and trading successfully. Junk food fresh??? and frozen are all over the shelves in the supermarkets. Next time you are in the supermarket take note of what is in the baskets at the checkout ....... you will or should be horrified!
From my personal perspective, generally, I have noticed that school children are overweight and the average Joe in the street male or female are overweight. The rubbish bins in the street are overflowing with junk food wrappers and soft drink containers. :shockedhair:
It is really concerning to me that most people appear to be toxic.

I think part of the problem is how cheap and readily available junk/fast food is.

I was in the supermarket the other day - strawberries were something like $4 a punnet while your strawberry & cream lollies are $2 a bag... and we wonder why people are overweight?

For some it's not so much of a choice but a need to eat what is in their budget, I get that, but you can still purchase some of those non-brand name items at half the cost which have to be better than the alternatives.

I was bought up that those fast food outlets were a 'treat' and they still are like that for me. However, in saying that, we did get to eat these 'bad' foods on occasion and I think that because they weren't unknown to us as kids, we didn't find them that big a deal as we grew older.

I can still crave vegetables and fruit and I know that's because my body is obviously lacking in whatever nutrient it needs, but that doesn't mean I think that a burger from a fast food chain with it's two bits of lettuce and tomato are going to do the trick.

Above all I think it's extremely important that we educate children as to what we need to fuel our bodies to set them up for life.

(climbing down from soapbox :typing:)

(climbing down from soapbox :typing:)

:chuckle::chuckle::chuckle:

It is a subject close to my heart too!

Nattie that was so well-put and I couldn't agree more. I think it's also disgraceful that supermarkets and stores put chocolate and other junk food at kid-level near checkouts. It's marketing at its absolute worst.

What does everyone think about the ALP's plan to ban the use of cartoon characters in junk food advertising? Does it have merit or do you think it's just another election ploy?

What does everyone think about the ALP's plan to ban the use of cartoon characters in junk food advertising? Does it have merit or do you think it's just another election ploy?

RBB, I think it has merrit but it is an election ploy. I sound like a fence sitting politcian. :redcheeks:

RBB, I think it has merrit but it is an election ploy. I sound like a fence sitting politcian. :redcheeks:

:chuckle: But a politician in Chanel and red lipstick...that's the best kind...

Absolutely!

I don't have children (yet?) but I have girlfriends that do and I can already see one of their little boys who is only just 2, want those items with the cartoon characters on them, and that's not because he wants that food item (he doesn't know about the 'naughty' foods just yet) it's because he wants the item thinking it's some sort of toy with his favourite character of the moment.

It's a good idea but it shouldn't be an election item (because lets face it they ARE just politicians after all) but it should be something that one of the government bodies can regulate. Or if it can't be regulated than the supermarkets need to realise that they are the next line of defence and move those items up high, REALLY high! :chuckle:

Either that or we need to form the 'adore party' and stun them all in our Chanel lipstick and our Fendi handbags into doing what's right! :whipcrack:

[QUOTE=nattieb;37575form the 'adore party' and stun them all in our Chanel lipstick and our Fendi handbags into doing what's right! :whipcrack:[/QUOTE]

:chuckle::chuckle:

I sometimes by happy meals just for the toy :redcheeks::ashamed:
And i got sucked in trying that pasta kids meal too. Oh the shame!!

Ehm, I 'm not sure that this isn't a minor case of scaremongering. Yes, 7 million Aussies probably ARE over their 'perfect' weight. But how is that measured? Does it take into account things like body structure, and hereditary things? Not to mention health issues, and things like age?

Very few people would be in their 'ideal range' I'm not. I'm not obese, but if you want to be technical, I am overweight. I am also post-menopausal, and have a family histroy of women putting weight on around their tummies (and their boobs) after menopause. Add to that 2 serious illnesses in the past 3 years and there are a lot of things to consider. My boss is a larger lady, who walks every day for at least an hour, plays hockey 3 times a week, and has diaetes. She is overweight, but healthier and more activethan a lot of thinner people I know. And she eats better than them too.

I think don't its so much the food that australia supplies, but more our lifestyle. We love the fast-food and the chinese fried stuff. Watched the ad again and some of the images are really disturbing, especially of the part with the children. Really don't want my future kids ending up like that.

People are considered overweight depending on their height. There's a tool on the link that i have posted above. I'm about 165cm tal and I'm considered overweight if i weigh 68kgs and obese 81.6kgs, so im in the clear :). Try that and provide feedback please.

I just tried that healthy-weight tool... I've got 12 kg leeway before I get to "overweight" - bring on the cheese! :dance:

I really think it's the old adage - everything in moderation. Moderate exercise, moderate eating with the occasional treat, not overeating so you're stuffed full and try not to eat too quickly. Walk up and down the stairs instead of taking the lift (as long as you're not on the 50th floor), get up and move away from your computer, step away from the TV. I work for a surgeon who does weight-related surgery (as well as other stuff) and it's not just the problem of obesity, it's the related disorders that go along with it - diabetes, high blood pressure, strain on the heart and joints, reflux, sleep apnoea - the list goes on. It's a very difficult situation and not one that will be easily fixed in the short-term. I'm off my soap box now too!

bmi isn't a good indicator , i am obese in this category but don't look it , yes i am fat & do need to lose weight

, so what Rosie says has a lot of merit , it doesn't take into account anything but height & weight

bmi isn't a good indicator , i am obese in this category but don't look it , yes i am fat & do need to lose weight

, so what Rosie says has a lot of merit , it doesn't take into account anything but height & weight

I think BMI is only one factor people should look at. There are many other variables, so it's silly to rely soley on this number!

I just got back from the supermarket where it costs me nothing short of $200 for not even half a trolley full of healthy food. I am talking about fresh fruit and vegetables, low fat yogurt, sushi ingredients, fresh Tasmanian scallops, Mixed nuts and seeds, low fat and soy milk etc.

I have to eat healthily most of the time as my health depends on it due to my medical condition. I carry an extra 20kg of weight due to being on steroids for my kidney. It's hard for me at times because people look at me and automatically think im overweight because I eat too much! I was never a small girl because I have big bones and am quite tall but before I became ill managed my weight and kept it in a healthy range.

Anyway I eat helathily most of the time but I allow myself the occasional treat. However I think it would be far easier to eat unhealthily and also a lot less expensive. Today a punnet of strawberries were $4.99 at woolies and a lettuce was the $5.00. I could have had two happy meals from maccas for the cost of those two items. It's little wonder people go for fast food when fresh fruit and vegie prices are so high!

Economics play a huge part in the way we eat. Also, a kilo muscle weighs more than a kilo of fat.

Back to the BMI thing. I just worked mine out - I am 167.5cm tall, and weight approximately 75kg. So I am overweight.

I don't disagree that I could lose some inches and tone up, but I am not fat.

My butt is rock hard, as are my thighs, and my calves are very muscular (I can't get knee high boots that fit my foot and my calf). I eat bugger all fatty foods, or junk generally. My upper body needs work, and I gain weight around my belly, this is hereditary. I walk almost everywhere, I carry 10kg of groceries home at least once a week - a good 20 minutes+ walk. My cholesterol is low, my heart rate is at a steady 50-60bpm, and my blood pressure is low (110 over 90 is normal for me).

The only health issue I have (apart from a bung shoulder, occasional migraines, cluster headaches and allergy issues) is hypoglycaemia. And yes, that seems like a long list, but most are hereditary - not dietary or lifestyle (allergies maybe, but where can I live that I don't encounter dust?).

And yet, a friend who is shorter, and carries more fat (yes, she knows I am saying this, she is reading over my shoulder), walks bugger all, has high blood presure & cholesterol and eats junk daily, is OK? WTF?!!!

Ok, I am now going to climb down off my soap box. This really irritates me, that a made up number is used to bludgeon us into falsely believing that there is something wrong with us, when often there isn't.

I think part of the problem is how cheap and readily available junk/fast food is.

I was in the supermarket the other day - strawberries were something like $4 a punnet while your strawberry & cream lollies are $2 a bag... and we wonder why people are overweight?
That's cheap! At my local strawberries are $6 a punnet & Bananas are $8 a kilo!

That's cheap! At my local strawberries are $6 a punnet & Bananas are $8 a kilo!

It's outrageous Medusa. I couldn't believe the prices today when I went grocery shopping.

I know I've got $5 lettuces too! I've really noticed a spike in fresh fruit & veg this year.

My kids eat healthy & we hardly ever have junk food in the house. Its a treat for them & they know it. They are not swayed by cartoon marketing as I refuse to buy it but Miss 5 at school is pressured to get the latest Mchappy meal toy that all her friends have. :whipcrack:

I noticed at the athletic carnival today that many kids were not happy to be excercising. the younger ones were enthusiatic but over 8's were lagging. There were a few sporty kids doing their best but many were walking the track instead of running. They couldn't even be bothered to jog. :no: 10-12yr old chubby girls with big boobs struggleing to walk around the oval is not a good sign. I makes me angry. I see it as a form of child abuse, it is the parent's fault.

I know what you mean Medusa. My god children are the most beautiful looking children but I have grave concerns about their diets. They are fed junk all the time and won't drink anything other than fizzy substances. They do not eat vegetables and their mother lets them live on hot chips and things like chicken nuggets and frozen pizzas. They constantly snack between meals and have an abundance of chips, chocolate and sweets to choose from ay any given time.

They have already had multiple fillings at the dentist and the eldest is 6 and the youngest is about to turn 3. I have tried to discuss their diet with their mother but I think with four kids under 6 she just doesn't care as long as it keeps them quiet. I think the school has also had a talk to her as her eldest daughter takes a lot of junk food to school which is not really allowed.

The thing that makes me livid is that these children are extremely well loved, attend private school and have nothing but the best of all clothing and toys yet their mother doesn't care enough to get them into healthy eating habbits. It just really concerns me for their future.

Yes my sister is the same. Her kids come to my house & won't eat or drink anything because I don't have junk food. Schools are pretty good now trying to enforce healthy eating. My daughter got a merit award for always having a healthy lunch. But if the parents don't lead the way its a lost cause. My sister thinks her kids will be drprived if she doesn't give them treats all the time and then in the same breath complains about her own (over)weight.

The other disturbing trend I have noticed is that kid's clothing manufactuers are also catering to fat kids. My girls are all quite lean - the way they are supossed to be but trying to get a pair of pants to fit is a nightmare. :flames: They are all too big in the waist. Even singlets that are meant to be fitted swim around them. They often wear 2 sizes smaller than their age.

Don't even get me started on food additives & colours :yelling: Miss 5 is a classic example of what they can do.

Mr 12 does have more sugar than I would like, but if he has none, and then has even an eighth of a tsp, watch out! I was very strict with his sugar intake when he was younger, and then he started going to friends, and he'd go off for a few hours, then just crash, on the tiniest bit of sugar. We all do it, if we have a load of sugar, then we crash and burn, but he is like a split personality, and can turn in a split second.

These days, he's not much better. If I kept him to what I'd like, you could give him a musk stick, and he'd be off the planet for 3-4 hours, before returning as a monster!

He is not allowed energy drinks (V, Red Bull etc) or coke. Fizzy is very restricted, and we have only water or milk to drink in the house.

He gets small-ish amounts every day, it's the only way to manage him. A meusli bar is usually his limit. Powerade (very rarely I must say) or fruit juice after footy or footy training. Just to stave off the bloody horrible cranky child I know is lurking after an hour of full pelt running. This is a blood sugar issue, one he got from me (you should see me go on a can of Red Bull), and he does eat before he plays/trains, but he just burns it off so fast, and it's jsut easier to give him that boost.

Oddly, as much as he loves Mars bars, he is also a mad fruit fanatic. I got 3 kg of kiwi fruit from my boss the other day, dropped them home at lunchtime, went back to work, returned 6 hours later, to 3/4 of them gone - he'd eaten a few, and 'set aside' the rest.

Well I'll share a bit of my story since all kinds of (incorrect, in my opinion) views get thrown around quite easily on this issue. I come from a family of tall, big people (broad shoulders, big feet, etc) and my mum has an hourglass figure with big boobs which I inherited quite early on. But before I got boobs I was always the tallest, biggest kid in my class by a long shot. We ate VERY healthily (my lunchbox was always sooo healthy compared to everyone else's - we never had chips or chocolate, and were never allowed sugary cereals for breakfast, etc) and never drank soft drinks. But still, I was teased as a kid for being big and fat. I was big, but I was by no means fat. It was not my fault that I was never a skinny dainty little kid, but I still had to wear all the teasing. It wasn't that bad, and I still had enough friends, but anyone who was teased in primary school knows what it was like. When I went through puberty it was worse because I grew these enormous boobs and many of the other girls were still tiny little skinny things. I found it unpleasant to run and play sports and I tried to avoid sports rather than awkwardly bounce about. In the end, I did start putting on weight because I began comfort-eating, and it took me a long time to get my weight back under control. All through this, I've still maintained a diet that was very high in fruit and veg and have never had a takeaway-based lifestyle.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the sheer focus on weight and physical appearance can cause weight problems to perpetuate themselves. Maybe we need to stop focusing so much on what people look like, and maybe then a lot of insecurities and fears will melt away, along with excess weight.

I have sympathy for you Oz I get that side of it but I have no tolerance for the type of parent who needlessly feeds their kids junk & plops them in front of the TV all day long.

I agree with Rosie's assesment about the exaggeration of 7 million. I am overweight by what I am supposed to be but I know my weight is not at all unhealthy. Yet I would be one of those statistics.

One factor that contributes to children's weight is lack of exercise. While people always bemoan playstation and tv as being the culprits I think a huge factor is that kids are not allowed to run around loose like they used to. When I was a kid we rode our bikes form morning to nightfall all over the place, when were were like 10!! Or younger! (This was many years ago, lol) Now you would never let your kids have those freedoms because of fear of predators. Same with walking everywhere, younger children aren't allowed to just go off for the day walking to friends houses.

we were raised very early on as healthy but once we hit school we got all we wanted mum never understood moderation or 'no'.
i have decided to raise my kids using moderation , we do have some bikkies [for taking to morning teas] , rice wheels [yes they have alot of salt - but it isn't everyday] , we have take out & maccas & lollies but occasionally as i want to teach them they r not BAD food , u can enjoy but u don't need to guts yourself to be satisfied,
my daughter is slim , but tall [not wirey though] so she will never look stick thin [thank u mum for the thighs]
& i have to say i am so sick of people going u r SO BIG , der i know it is a shock [she is at least 117cm & wears a size 12 shoe - she is only 4 1/2] , ok so my point being , i think this will also add to the whole 'big' issue - simialr to Oz's story , u know big =fat

No being big is different to being fat.
Take it from me, I'm little (short & petite frame) but I am not skinny. I'm an 8-10 but I have wobbley cellulite!

Just found this qualifier on a site with a BMI Calculator - should be used on all of them - ABOVE the calculator, not buried at the bottom amongst the ads!

Body Mass Index (BMI) can be used to indicate if you are overweight, obese, underweight or normal. It will, however, overestimate fatness in people who are muscular or atheletic.

I think being overweight is just one of the most obvious symptoms for a possibilty of being unhealthy and thats why people focus on that more, though we all know that, skinny people can be unhealthy also. So my thoughts are just to keep a healthy diet and also regular exercise. The reason why i have posted that the Weigt Watchers ad is that i do give my hands to their organization for creating awareness for Australia with what we do not realise how serious it can get. Everyday we eat and ignore signs of our health, although it might not affect us, though there is a big possiblity of affecting our next generation and I have seen quite a few cases where parents don't keep a close eye in what their kids are eating and instead eating with them. So regarding if this campaign is to boost WW's sales or not, at least it alerts us of what can happen further down the track, I personally signed up for some meals to see what the recipe is like and what type of meal i shuold provide on a daily basis for my family. One course for my whole family i say :)

They had a story on Today Tonight about Aussies 'supersizing' their takeaways and meal size portions etc... and I'm guilty of it. Its just like in America, its no wonder we are having an obese ecidemic. Its a mental thing and I think you can control it if you want to.

As for the kids, my mum brought me up on a sugar-free diet and I plan to do the same one day with my kids. I know of one woman who gets slightly offended if someone offers her daughter sweets etc and so she should, not all kids/familes and diets are the same.

They had a story on Today Tonight about Aussies 'supersizing' their takeaways and meal size portions etc... and I'm guilty of it. Its just like in America, its no wonder we are having an obese ecidemic. Its a mental thing and I think you can control it if you want to.

As for the kids, my mum brought me up on a sugar-free diet and I plan to do the same one day with my kids. I know of one woman who gets slightly offended if someone offers her daughter sweets etc and so she should, not all kids/familes and diets are the same.


I saw that show, it was horrid. I can't eat a normal burger, let alone one of those. It's the whole HUGE portion thing, we had small portions growing up, and I still do it. American meals are ginormous before supersizing, 1 of their meals was enough for 3 days for me.

As for the offended mum, does she specificy to people that her daughter isn't to have sweets? I mean, by all means, have sugar free kids, but realise that people are not mind-readers, and we do all suffer memory loss. If she tells a person and they ignore her, be offended. If they don't know, or forget, a gentle reminder goes further than a huffy atitude (I have had this, and it sh*ts me to tears, just damn well SAY something, politely). Mr12 was sugar free til he started school, and if we told people, they were often surprised, but accepted it, and did as we asked.

we were raised very early on as healthy but once we hit school we got all we wanted mum never understood moderation or 'no'.
i have decided to raise my kids using moderation , we do have some bikkies [for taking to morning teas] , rice wheels [yes they have alot of salt - but it isn't everyday] , we have take out & maccas & lollies but occasionally as i want to teach them they r not BAD food , u can enjoy but u don't need to guts yourself to be satisfied,
my daughter is slim , but tall [not wirey though] so she will never look stick thin [thank u mum for the thighs]
& i have to say i am so sick of people going u r SO BIG , der i know it is a shock [she is at least 117cm & wears a size 12 shoe - she is only 4 1/2] , ok so my point being , i think this will also add to the whole 'big' issue - simialr to Oz's story , u know big =fat

Yeah, I got called 'big' a lot as a kid and it still affects me! I was taller than other kids (I'm not tall now though:shakehead:, I just grew young) and everyone thought that it was okay to call me big. All I heard was you're fat and not cute! It still gets to me!!!

Yeah, I got called 'big' a lot as a kid and it still affects me! I was taller than other kids (I'm not tall now though:shakehead:, I just grew young) and everyone thought that it was okay to call me big. All I heard was you're fat and not cute! It still gets to me!!!

Me too!! When you're a little girl, all you want to be is tiny, dainty and cute. It's a bit tough when you're not!! :chuckle: And to this day, I will always describe myself as "striking" or whatever, but never "cute" or "pretty". That stuff really gets under your skin even though it happens so young.

I know of one woman who gets slightly offended if someone offers her daughter sweets etc and so she should, not all kids/familes and diets are the same.
Miss 5 knows that she can not eat chocolate & won't take it if offered, even without me there. We have been to birthday parties & the cake has been choc & I've told her she can have some (so that she doesn't miss out) and she won't eat it. She knows she will have a terrible day the next day if she does.

I restrict my kids junk intake but it's not like they never have junk but if we didn't restrict it then I hate to think how much they would consume! My dad in particular is a tyrant. He always buys my kids McD & fills them full of lollies & ice cream at every opportunity. He teaches them to hide it from me (which they are not very good at) and thinks its very funny. I'm not amused at all.

We bake our own fruit based muffins, make our own yogurt/fruit iceblocks, sherbet, smoothies instead of milkshakes. They love to snack on nuts, frozen fruit, corn cakes, fruit, etc. The Easter Bunny brings carob or white chocolate. Treats might be marshmallows, carob rice cakes, a lollipop (lasts for ages).
There are so many better alternaltives. I can't believe that manufactueres are allowed to sell some of the things they put out there. They overdose kids with a single treat.

Yeah, I got called 'big' a lot as a kid and it still affects me! I was taller than other kids (I'm not tall now though:shakehead:, I just grew young) and everyone thought that it was okay to call me big. All I heard was you're fat and not cute! It still gets to me!!!

this is exactly what i am worried about with my daughter , big is used so loosely

Miss 5 knows that she can not eat chocolate & won't take it if offered, even without me there. We have been to birthday parties & the cake has been choc & I've told her she can have some (so that she doesn't miss out) and she won't eat it. She knows she will have a terrible day the next day if she does.

I restrict my kids junk intake but it's not like they never have junk but if we didn't restrict it then I hate to think how much they would consume! My dad in particular is a tyrant. He always buys my kids McD & fills them full of lollies & ice cream at every opportunity. He teaches them to hide it from me (which they are not very good at) and thinks its very funny. I'm not amused at all.

We bake our own fruit based muffins, make our own yogurt/fruit iceblocks, sherbet, smoothies instead of milkshakes. They love to snack on nuts, frozen fruit, corn cakes, fruit, etc. The Easter Bunny brings carob or white chocolate. Treats might be marshmallows, carob rice cakes, a lollipop (lasts for ages).
There are so many better alternaltives. I can't believe that manufactueres are allowed to sell some of the things they put out there. They overdose kids with a single treat.


oh Medusa my dad is the same it is so bloody annoying & we live altogether , it makes it really hard

this is exactly what i am worried about with my daughter , big is used so loosely

Yeah, it's hard. You just have to explain to her that when people say big they don't mean fat. No one ever did this for me and now I have a complex. One of my best friends at school was a tiny, skinny, dainty girl and once I went to her house for a swim. Her dad was throwing his two daughters around the pool (her little sister is even littler than her) and when he came to pick me up to throw he said 'what, did you eat bricks for breakfast?' I was DEVO! I have carried it with me ever since, and it still makes my stomach turn to think about it! Make sure you slap anyone who says anything like this to your daughter!!!

Some kids are just heavy you know. I don't know what is is but I know kids that are the same size & age & yet one is as light as feather & the other requires all of my strength to pick up. :question: They are not fat, they are just really heavy???

Yeah, it's hard. You just have to explain to her that when people say big they don't mean fat. No one ever did this for me and now I have a complex. One of my best friends at school was a tiny, skinny, dainty girl and once I went to her house for a swim. Her dad was throwing his two daughters around the pool (her little sister is even littler than her) and when he came to pick me up to throw he said 'what, did you eat bricks for breakfast?' I was DEVO! I have carried it with me ever since, and it still makes my stomach turn to think about it! Make sure you slap anyone who says anything like this to your daughter!!!

Yeah things like that were said to me too as a little kid! I remember them all too! And I was constantly worried and confused about it (this was in year 4) because my best friend was skinny and her lunchbox was full of chocolates and chips, and yet I was humongous (or so I thought) and my lunchbox always had sandwiches and fruit. I never understood that it was my body type and it was't about being fat, because I wasn't. It still bothers me!

They had a story on Today Tonight about Aussies 'supersizing' their takeaways and meal size portions etc... and I'm guilty of it. Its just like in America, its no wonder we are having an obese ecidemic. Its a mental thing and I think you can control it if you want to.

As for the kids, my mum brought me up on a sugar-free diet and I plan to do the same one day with my kids. I know of one woman who gets slightly offended if someone offers her daughter sweets etc and so she should, not all kids/familes and diets are the same.

Yeah, i saw that as well. The burgers sure looked tasty, never knew they had those burgers until last night. i do agree that our proportions are way large and more than necessary. but asian cuisine is a lot similiar, having large portions as well. i enjoy looking at a big meal as well. :clapping:

Weight Watchers meals are a lot similiar to the europeans cuisine.

Saw this on the Weight Watchers ad last night, "7 million Australians overweight". Thats one-third of our population, quite unrealistic if u ask me. I know some aussies love their take-away and fast food, but never thought that our country was some what overweight. What do u think?

have u havent seen the site, u can watch it here (http://www.letsgetstarted.com.au/).

I think its because of all the ready available fast food we have here, just like in the USA... My dad recently came back from a trip to europe... I was over there quite a few years ago and noticed there wasnt any fast food places.. However, since dad has been there, they were commenting that since they have had places like mcdonalds, kfc etc... that the kids are now starting to have a problem with obesity.. Makes sense to me.. We have had these places a lot longer than they have.. They just havent caught up yet, but are getting there. lol... Parents just have to be very vigil when it comes to what their kids are eating.. as bad habits follow..

I think its because of all the ready available fast food we have here, just like in the USA... My dad recently came back from a trip to europe... I was over there quite a few years ago and noticed there wasnt any fast food places.. However, since dad has been there, they were commenting that since they have had places like mcdonalds, kfc etc... that the kids are now starting to have a problem with obesity.. Makes sense to me.. We have had these places a lot longer than they have.. They just havent caught up yet, but are getting there. lol... Parents just have to be very vigil when it comes to what their kids are eating.. as bad habits follow..

yes i agree, parents are the ones who need to be educated when it comes to healthy eating for their eating. my little brothers mate came over for dinner one night and doesnt ever eat vegetables (his 11)

Sorry to change the topic a little...I am just watching Dr Phil :redcheeks: at the moment..they have an obesity/weight special - they are interviewing a man who is over 1,000 pounds (450kg+) :shakehead: he blames his mum for not educating him about eating right.
Education of health eating and exercise is so important, especially from childhood. I was always taught to eat my veggies and meat, etc. Rarely had take away.
And in todays society/age we have so much knowledge on nutrition, but the highest level of obesity/health related issues. It just doesnt make sense to me. :shakehead:

I was always called "solid" growing up. People would say you're just solid you're not fat (like that was supposed to make me feel better or something). Now a lot of people say to me You're naturally a big girl and your bones alone would weigh a lot. After all I have been through it really doesn't bother me anymore but I eat so healthily and live a very clean lifestyle (no drinking, regular exercise, very good diet most of the time) and sometimes I wish people would just refer to me as me rather than feeling the need to label and describe me in different terms.

I was always called "solid" growing up. People would say you're just solid you're not fat (like that was supposed to make me feel better or something). Now a lot of people say to me You're naturally a big girl and your bones alone would weigh a lot. After all I have been through it really doesn't bother me anymore but I eat so healthily and live a very clean lifestyle (no drinking, regular exercise, very good diet most of the time) and sometimes I wish people would just refer to me as me rather than feeling the need to label and describe me in different terms.

pcc :hugs: i think it is more important to be healthy and fit than what you weigh or look like.
people can be so cruel when growing up, and even when you're an adult. i used to get teased for being so slim - get called anorexic, and people giving me their lunches to eat at school...i used to get teased something shocking :explode: :shakehead:
anyways, my view on this, is that as long as you eat reasonably healthy, dont drink excessively, exercise and feel healthy, it doesnt matter what the scale says or what others say. :whipcrack:
we are all beautiful people. :hugs:

I agree, when I meet people I never make judgements based on what someone looks like. You can never judge a book by it's cover. In a perfect world people would stop being so judgemental and just accept people as they are. I am a firm believer in what's on the inside is most important.

I agree, when I meet people I never make judgements based on what someone looks like. You can never judge a book by it's cover. In a perfect world people would stop being so judgemental and just accept people as they are. I am a firm believer in what's on the inside is most important.

exactly! :hearts:

Sorry to change the topic a little...I am just watching Dr Phil :redcheeks: at the moment..they have an obesity/weight special - they are interviewing a man who is over 1,000 pounds (450kg+) :shakehead: he blames his mum for not educating him about eating right.
Education of health eating and exercise is so important, especially from childhood. I was always taught to eat my veggies and meat, etc. Rarely had take away.
And in todays society/age we have so much knowledge on nutrition, but the highest level of obesity/health related issues. It just doesnt make sense to me. :shakehead:

Its been a while since i've seen Dr Phil, but i get what your trying to say, we have to educate the parents so kids cant practice eating healthy early. I think thats what this Weight Watchers commercial is trying to do.

I was always called "solid" growing up. People would say you're just solid you're not fat (like that was supposed to make me feel better or something). Now a lot of people say to me You're naturally a big girl and your bones alone would weigh a lot. After all I have been through it really doesn't bother me anymore but I eat so healthily and live a very clean lifestyle (no drinking, regular exercise, very good diet most of the time) and sometimes I wish people would just refer to me as me rather than feeling the need to label and describe me in different terms.


oh man pcc , that was me as well [childhood]

i guess as long as your happy, thats all that matters. but with myself, when im feeling lazy and unhealthy, im not satisfied with myself and want to get fit, although its easier said than done. laziness is a major factor.

I agree shuzitsu. Laziness is my struggle as well :chuckle:

lol yeah love my lazy days though, but not too much of it. i think that most of the people think its acceptable to be overweight and think its okay because "i'm enjoying life". than when they realize how unfit and unhappy they are with themselves, they're too lazy to do anything about it.

I think its nice to have a lazy day every now and then, especially when the weathers bad. But definitely not all the time, i remember back in the day when we would get out in the rain and play around with mud. The current generation sure has gotten soft and let junk food take over their lives.

Hi Brightler :waving:

Welcome to Adore Brightler :waving:

thank you :)

hi hi

I think its nice to have a lazy day every now and then, especially when the weathers bad. But definitely not all the time, i remember back in the day when we would get out in the rain and play around with mud. The current generation sure has gotten soft and let junk food take over their lives.

I remember when i used to live close to my primary school, so my parents would force me to walk to school everyday, rain, hail or sunshine. it was great! I've noticed how in this commercial how some of the images are technology related.

We used to walk to and from school every day too! I will never forget Mum and Dad's list of Musts when buying a new house:

- must be within walking distance of the local school
- must be within walking distance of public transport
- must be north facing
- must have a 'nice aspect'

And now, they are bringing in the BVI (Body Volume Index) to replace the BMI (Body Mass Index). Seems doctors have been saying for years that the BMI Is inaccurate as it doesn't take anything other than height and weight into account, where the BVI will factor in those, plus other factors to give a more accurate picture of an individual's - er.......... yeah, well basically, it's more accurate than the BMI. I am way too tired to try to be articulate!

Oh Rosie did you read that in the Herald Sun's body+soul section?
I read about that too. I couldn't figure out how to do it though. Something about volume and stuff :rollthoseeyes: Too much math for me.

Oh Rosie did you read that in the Herald Sun's body+soul section?
I read about that too. I couldn't figure out how to do it though. Something about volume and stuff :rollthoseeyes: Too much math for me.

I did. And yeah, the math stonkered me too. Shame really, I would have liked to had a go (anything to fudge the numbers) :chuckle:

We used to walk to and from school every day too! I will never forget Mum and Dad's list of Musts when buying a new house:

- must be within walking distance of the local school
- must be within walking distance of public transport
- must be north facing
- must have a 'nice aspect'

You'll be paying millions to find a ideal property like that lol. But they are the ideal elements that u do look for in a property these days.

BVI.. i never heard of it. Where do u think i can find some info on it? wikipedia has nothing :redcheeks:

It was in last weeks Harold Sun on Sunday. In the body and soul section. I think the whole BVI is a new thing

Here's a news article on it:

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22417274-5006047,00.html

Thanks Rosie! :waving:

That is interesting. I want a scan!

Thanks for that rosie, the formulas do sound very complex.

Very complex! I can't be bothered working it out

Ok, so this should kinda go under I Don't Like It, but I'm putting it here. You will see why.

I work at a takeaway shop. A woman (who I know peripherally) and her 3 kids came in, and ordered $50 of takeaway. While they were paying, her mobile rang. What followed was a yelled monologue re: how dare someone say..... The most astonishing points follow.

*her daughters should be eating healthier, they eat fine (One got a large chips & gravy, a chiko, 6 dim sims and a large Red Bull) and a large family block (each child got 1). I know what they got, it as divided up between them before they left.

*suggest that their size puts their health at risk, she is 'only' an 18, and her sister is 'only' a 16 (sis was maybe 10, maybe), if kids clothes were made in 'realistic' sizes, they wouldn't need to buy women's clothes, and people wouldn't pick on them

*suggest that the school should making her participate in exercise - she is 'only' 12, there's plenty of time for her to be 'forced' to do things she doesn't like, isn't that what happens when you go to work. This was the oldest daughter, she is this woman's oldest child, we were in Maternity together when Mr12 was born, both first time mums.

At what point did something not click for this woman?! I walked away after she finished paying, so I am sure there was more, I just didn't trust myself to stay quiet.

Me either it makes me so :explode:
Fair enough for those people who make wrong decisions for themselves but to force their lifestyle upon their children gives the kids no chance. If my kids turn into junk food slobs when they leave home it will be their own responsibility & decision. I doubt it will happen though as they have been educated about food & lifestyle choices since they were babies.

I've just had my sister's 3 kids for the weekend & managed to "trick" them into eating healthy food. We made our own pizzas for dinner, inc dough. Sure they could have panacakes for breakfast so long as they ate all the fruit salad while I cooked. One of them refused to drink water or even freshly squeezed OJ. Well tough I said - drink the water. :whipcrack: Now, :yelling: Go outside & play!

Me either it makes me so :explode:
Fair enough for those people who make wrong decisions for themselves but to force their lifestyle upon their children gives the kids no chance. If my kids turn into junk food slobs when they leave home it will be their own responsibility & decision. I doubt it will happen though as they have been educated about food & lifestyle choices since they were babies.

I've just had my sister's 3 kids for the weekend & managed to "trick" them into eating healthy food. We made our own pizzas for dinner, inc dough. Sure they could have panacakes for breakfast so long as they ate all the fruit salad while I cooked. One of them refused to drink water or even freshly squeezed OJ. Well tough I said - drink the water. :whipcrack: Now, :yelling: Go outside & play!


they don't drink water ???

Oh fussy, there are a LOT of kids like that - they come to your house and say "I don't drink water'. Well, guess what, that's all anyone here drinks. That or moo juice. Mostly water. The ones we get are astonished that we don't have 3 or 4 varieties of cordial to choose from.

Oh fussy, there are a LOT of kids like that - they come to your house and say "I don't drink water'. Well, guess what, that's all anyone here drinks. That or moo juice. Mostly water. The ones we get are astonished that we don't have 3 or 4 varieties of cordial to choose from.

actually i have had this b4 but i just thought the kid was trying to get something better out of me
same as "do u have any lollies" :chuckle:

i think ever since we can't smack our kids anymore (just a slap on the bum, not beating). Parents have been increasing lenient on their kids. Its quite surprising based on what i've been reading how bad its becoming.

Did anyone catch that current affair story on a school banning all sugars and how kids concentrate a lot better?

I think shows like ACA and Today Tonight are a load of BULL!!
But then again I'm a youth worker so what to you expect.

I think shows like ACA and Today Tonight are a load of BULL!!
But then again I'm a youth worker so what to you expect.

Today Tonight and ACA are my PET PEEVES! I hate everything about them and I can't even watch 2 minutes of them without wanting to throw something heavy at my TV. :explode:

I think shows like ACA and Today Tonight are a load of BULL!!
But then again I'm a youth worker so what to you expect.

Ugh, my major gripe with old people is the number of "facts" that they back up with ACA or TT - if I had a dollar for every time an old person has said "yes, but, did you see that story on ACA last week....". Stupid unquestioning old people! Between that and talkback radio, they don't have to think for themselves!

Totally agree with you guys. And to be honest, I don't think commercial news bulletins are much better. Also don't get me started on Sunrise, it's a total gag-fest! :shakehead:

:chuckle::chuckle:
It is dumb, but sometimes it's just hilariously funny cos you know it's a load of crap.
But yeah, those shows, honestly, ha ha ha... oh god.

Totally agree with you guys. And to be honest, I don't think commercial news bulletins are much better. Also don't get me started on Sunrise, it's a total gag-fest! :shakehead:

UGH SUNRISE!!!! AHHHHHHHHH! This morning they were talking about is Sept too early for X-Mas stuff in shops... CAN YOU PLEASE COME UP WITH SOME NEW MATERIAL?!?!?! Seriously EVERY September we go throught this sh it! If you don't want to buy it then don't GAH!

UGH SUNRISE!!!! AHHHHHHHHH! This morning they were talking about is Sept too early for X-Mas stuff in shops... CAN YOU PLEASE COME UP WITH SOME NEW MATERIAL?!?!?! Seriously EVERY September we go throught this sh it! If you don't want to buy it then don't GAH!

:chuckle: Oh baby, if we got together we could do some serious ranting! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Lets preserve our hate for Melbourne and then really get stuck in! :chuckle:

:chuckle::chuckle: Kochie

i am so with u guys with TT & ACA , sunrise was quite good once upon a time but it has gone down hill

The thing that grates on me about these shows is that they insist on dumbing down their content. They give no credit to the intelligence of viewers and they insist that people will only watch if they are the TV equivalent of fairy floss. It's entirely possible to be both entertaining and intelligent!

Ok - I like Sunrise!!! But I also don't take it serisouly, so maybe that helps! :glee:

Ok - I like Sunrise!!! But I also don't take it serisouly, so maybe that helps! :glee:

Good point and yes it does help!!

What have I begun, Not a fan of ACA or TT either, but i saw the story in their commercial, hopeing someone else caught it

i think ever since we can't smack our kids anymore (just a slap on the bum, not beating). Parents have been increasing lenient on their kids. Its quite surprising based on what i've been reading how bad its becoming.

Did anyone catch that current affair story on a school banning all sugars and how kids concentrate a lot better?


i caught the very end of some story about additives etc , but that is mostly common knowledge

maybe check their website :waving:

I find BTN more informative :chuckle:
For those who don't know it's a kids news program on channel 2.