Another misguided, image negative salvo directed at our youngins (the protagonist is a 14 year old girl).

Sad, IMO....like things aren't hard enough on them these days.

Thoughts?

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA...r-14362276

OK...

A)Maggie totally looks better in the after pics

B)The person that said "It takes so little to trigger eating disorders in children waaa waaa waaa". Yeah, funny how folk only refer to lack of eating as a disorder. I was a fat piggy of a child. Eating everything in sight is an eating disorder. The book is called "Maggie Goes on a Diet" not "Maggie's Big Ole Binge N' Purge".

C)Thank you, Ms Logan LevKoff PhD, you pretty blond skinny wise woman you.

D)The girl in the blue shirt was chubby.

I understand why the author wrote the book. Obesity in children is a very serious problem affecting our communities. However, I think that the approach should have been different. Healthy eating and exercising should be the focus of books targeted to children. To turn children's attention to physical appearance determining who's popular or not, or that size makes you more important, is ludicrous (society is superficial enough, no?). Just look at the amount of anorexic individuals who claim they are too fat. Where does this thinking come from? Or, the amount of bulimic individuals trying to reach weight goals. It is SO sad that society has developed a criteria as to what is the "right" look and if you do not fit it, something's wrong with you. Heavy = being picked on and Skinny = popularity and the "right" look. Nah, that's not the message we should want to send our children. Accepting differences is more important than making a child overweight feel like it's their fault when they are picked on because it is not. I would never suggest to an overweight child they should go on a diet. That could cause serious self esteem issues, along with lifelong diets in an effort to obtain the look that "society" says is acceptable. I would encourage them by example. Have them get involved in outdoor activities. Now, you don't have to leave the house to work up a sweat. There are several video game consoles that have games that children will enjoy playing (tennis, gold, bowling, etc.) If children see you eating healthy, they will too. I have not used salt in about ten years on my food, yet others never know. My family and I have gotten used to no salt. The same goes for eating fried foods, etc. I stopped purchasing sugar cereal (Fruity Pebbles, Cocoa Puffs, etc.), Kool-aid, and junk food for almost seven years. I never said a word, I just replaced the food with fresh fruit and I have not lived to regret it.

But back to the book. Self love needs to be taught, along with accepting differences, healthy eating, and exercising. Reach the children through the avenues they enjoy and there will be a decline in obesity.

The book's purpose is on target (recognizing the benefits of healthy eating and exercise). It's message/delivery to children is insensitive (in my opinion). The pictures can be interpreted as offensive to some. I definitely would NOT buy this book for ANY child.

johnart said:

OK...

A)Maggie totally looks better in the after pics

B)The person that said "It takes so little to trigger eating disorders in children waaa waaa waaa". Yeah, funny how folk only refer to lack of eating as a disorder. I was a fat piggy of a child. Eating everything in sight is an eating disorder. The book is called "Maggie Goes on a Diet" not "Maggie's Big Ole Binge N' Purge".

C)Thank you, Ms Logan LevKoff PhD, you pretty blond skinny wise woman you.

D)The girl in the blue shirt was chubby.

This is one of those times you need to be told you're ignorant

Once again where the fuck are the parents?

Do children really have to read a book on how to lose weight?

You had them, raise them and fast food isnt a food group.

JFC.

Honestly, it's really the truth of the way things are now. There's a lot of kids out here with weight issues who end up having to go on diets for health reasons.

ppl are over reacting ~ its a book, hopefully it will help a lot of kids with weight problems

when i was at school i remember seeing 1 or 2 extremely overweight kids, now its prob 3 in 5

those kids r not happy, they know they have a problem, if the book helps them to take responsibility and exercise and eat healthy food, well then that's great!!

FuzzyWitch said:

ppl are over reacting ~ its a book, hopefully it will help a lot of kids with weight problems

when i was at school i remember seeing 1 or 2 extremely overweight kids, now its prob 3 in 5

those kids r not happy, they know they have a problem, if the book helps them to take responsibility and exercise and eat healthy food, well then that's great!!

There is a difference between assisting them in taking responsibility and exercise and eat healthy, and insinuating that being skinny is better and is attached to popularity. The book depicts one size being better and that is not great at all. If they had left out "Maggie became popular, Maggie got new friends..." the book would not be receiving the negative reaction in full force that it is receiving.

Parents forgot to teach their children what food is and why you need food.

Food isn't the same thing as shuffing up stuff in your mouth because you'r addicted to sugar and fats.

It's a shame this girls needs to write a book about her experience and dieting is considered the solution for obesity.

It's food industries that produce eatable things that aren't food for us. It's just stuff that makes our bodies addicted to sugar, salt, fat and other stuf that are unhealthy for our bodies. Just like drugs, alcohol and nicotine are.

The people who know that, they produce and sell eatable things, that are bad for human bodies, should be hold responsible for those choices. It's a disgusting game played by marketing criminals with young children becoming marketing victims.

I don't understand why there isn't more protest against these producers of eatable things, knowingly they poison human bodies.

I love when they get the skinny blonde reporters to do the stories on body-image issues. As if those reporters are really down with the struggle.

I don't see what the big deal is about the book. Maggie IS fat at the beginning. And she loses weight by eating healthfully and exercising. And then she has more self-confidence, so she joins the soccer team and makes friends.

I'm curious to know why it had to be "Maggie" instead of "Michael"??? So sad that we teach our young children that it's okay for young boys to be obese but not young girls.

Efan said:

I love when they get the skinny blonde reporters to do the stories on body-image issues. As if those reporters are really down with the struggle.

I don't see what the big deal is about the book. Maggie IS fat at the beginning. And she loses weight by eating healthfully and exercising. And then she has more self-confidence, so she joins the soccer team and makes friends.

No , the book implies you can't be happy , successful and have friends as a child if you're obese ;

When she was fat they all mocked and bullied her

When she got skinny all of a sudden she had friends and got successful and she was considered perfect

[Edited 8/24/11 9:00am]

I worked with an educational theatre program for about a year, and the focus was healthy eating and exercise for elementary school children. Yes, we addressed the obesity crisis, but what I liked about the show is that it encouraged ALL children, no matter their size, to live a healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of folks who suffer from heart disease, diabetes and bad cholestorol, and they're as thin as a rail, so the message does not just apply to people who are overweight or obese.

Dewrede said:

Efan said:

I love when they get the skinny blonde reporters to do the stories on body-image issues. As if those reporters are really down with the struggle.

I don't see what the big deal is about the book. Maggie IS fat at the beginning. And she loses weight by eating healthfully and exercising. And then she has more self-confidence, so she joins the soccer team and makes friends.

No , the book implies you can't be happy , successful and have friends as a child if you're obese ;

When she was fat they all mocked and bullied her

When she got skinny all of a sudden she had friends and got successful and she was considered perfect

[Edited 8/24/11 9:00am]

Have you read the book? I haven't, so I have no idea if it does all that you say here based on what was described in the clip.

To me, the book seems to be describing a pretty accurate reality. Kids are mean to fat kids. Look at the clip of the girls calling that one girl "chubby wubby" in the Good Morning America report. If the book shows Maggie wanting to improve her life and get healthier, I think the book sends a positive message.

there is a consipracy afoot to prevent americans from becoming healthy. think about it, multi BILLION dollar industries (medical, pharmaceutical) are at stake. if americans become healthy through diet, many people will be out of work

fact: the so-called 'food pyramid' is greatly influenced by lobbying powers, such as the meat industry and dairy industry

fact: human beings do NOT need to eat anywhere near as much meat/dairy as is being promoted

fact: we are experiencing an epidemic of obesity in america

fact: if americans simply changed their diets costly conditions like heart disease and obesity could be mostly eradicated

people, watch the documentary: food matters. it is a huge eye opener. imo, should be required viewing in school

dJJ said:

Parents forgot to teach their children what food is and why you need food.

Food isn't the same thing as shuffing up stuff in your mouth because you'r addicted to sugar and fats.

It's a shame this girls needs to write a book about her experience and dieting is considered the solution for obesity.

It's food industries that produce eatable things that aren't food for us. It's just stuff that makes our bodies addicted to sugar, salt, fat and other stuf that are unhealthy for our bodies. Just like drugs, alcohol and nicotine are.

The people who know that, they produce and sell eatable things, that are bad for human bodies, should be hold responsible for those choices. It's a disgusting game played by marketing criminals with young children becoming marketing victims.

I don't understand why there isn't more protest against these producers of eatable things, knowingly they poison human bodies.

^yeah that.

Dewrede said:

johnart said:

OK...

A)Maggie totally looks better in the after pics

B)The person that said "It takes so little to trigger eating disorders in children waaa waaa waaa". Yeah, funny how folk only refer to lack of eating as a disorder. I was a fat piggy of a child. Eating everything in sight is an eating disorder. The book is called "Maggie Goes on a Diet" not "Maggie's Big Ole Binge N' Purge".

C)Thank you, Ms Logan LevKoff PhD, you pretty blond skinny wise woman you.

D)The girl in the blue shirt was chubby.

This is one of those times you need to be told you're ignorant

Aww...you're just the most precious lil' thing when you're butthurt.

fat kids don't read...they eat

Efan said:

Dewrede said:

No , the book implies you can't be happy , successful and have friends as a child if you're obese ;

When she was fat they all mocked and bullied her

When she got skinny all of a sudden she had friends and got successful and she was considered perfect

[Edited 8/24/11 9:00am]

Have you read the book? I haven't, so I have no idea if it does all that you say here based on what was described in the clip.

To me, the book seems to be describing a pretty accurate reality. Kids are mean to fat kids. Look at the clip of the girls calling that one girl "chubby wubby" in the Good Morning America report. If the book shows Maggie wanting to improve her life and get healthier, I think the book sends a positive message.

Efan, you know it's one of those things you can't say aloud because folk love to cry fowl or that they are bein descrimitated against or some other bullshit if truth is presented to them sometimes.

It's a lot easier to blame the media, or a children's book for your kids self-image issues than to actually see it for what it is and recognize that it IS healthier to eat a certain way and to get a chubby butt a-movin' instead of sitting in front of a computer or video game. Just like it's a lot easier to blame kids dressing like whores on music videos than to just lay down the law with your kids.

Folk want a book that called "You're a Fat Ass and That's Great!" where Maggie eats whatever the fuck she wants and then gets special treatment as an adult for her double-wide frame and bitches about clothing for big women not being fashionable and waaaaaaa waaaaaaa waaaaaa. It should be a series. I can hardly wait for "Maggie Flies to Rome and Doesn't Have to Pay for an Extra Seat". That one promises to be a great read.

orger said:

fat kids don't read...they eat

Be fair.

Some try, but it's hard to see the words behind spilled bits of pulled pork.

johnart said:

orger said:

fat kids don't read...they eat

Be fair.

Some try, but it's hard to see the words behind spilled bits of pulled pork.

some kids have double eyelids too...just like double chins

orger said:

johnart said:

Be fair.

Some try, but it's hard to see the words behind spilled bits of pulled pork.

some kids have double eyelids too...just like double chins

Hey now. Maybe that's just how they roll.

[Edited 8/24/11 9:55am]

orger said:

johnart said:

Be fair.

Some try, but it's hard to see the words behind spilled bits of pulled pork.

some kids have double eyelids too...just like double chins

Have you ever tried turning a page with chubby wubby wittle vienna sausage fingers?

johnart said:

orger said:

some kids have double eyelids too...just like double chins

Have you ever tried turning a page with chubby wubby wittle vienna sausage fingers?

not ones still attached to the kid, no

imago said:

orger said:

some kids have double eyelids too...just like double chins

Hey now. Maybe that's just how they roll.

[Edited 8/24/11 9:55am]

yeah, I lol'ed for reelz

orger said:

johnart said:

Have you ever tried turning a page with chubby wubby wittle vienna sausage fingers?

not ones still attached to the kid, no

Well it's not easy.

This thread reminds me of Palmy. Palmy was my only childhood friend. Because I was fat.

[img:$uid]http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc403/popartguy/aup3.jpg[/img:$uid]

Being fat also prevented me from wearing pants in public, a habit I never really kicked.

[Edited 8/24/11 10:17am]

johnart said:

orger said:

not ones still attached to the kid, no

Well it's not easy.

This thread reminds me of Palmy. Palmy was my only childhood friend. Because I was fat.

[img:$uid]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i9/jgascot/personal/aup3.jpg[/img:$uid]

Being fat also prevented me from wearing pants in public, a habit I never really kicked.

okay that "bandwidth exceeded" message is making me

picture is too fat for the page

sorry.

XxAxX said:

johnart said:

Well it's not easy.

This thread reminds me of Palmy. Palmy was my only childhood friend. Because I was fat.

[img:$uid]http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i9/jgascot/personal/aup3.jpg[/img:$uid]

Being fat also prevented me from wearing pants in public, a habit I never really kicked.

okay that "bandwidth exceeded" message is making me

picture is too fat for the page

sorry.

OMG see??? Photobucket is descriminating against my fattyness! Gimmie a minute.

johnart said:

It's a lot easier to blame the media, or a children's book for your kids self-image issues than to actually see it for what it is and recognize that it IS healthier to eat a certain way and to get a chubby butt a-movin' instead of sitting in front of a computer or video game. Just like it's a lot easier to blame kids dressing like whores on music videos than to just lay down the law with your kids.

True. Unfortunately, for poorer families, it's a lot cheaper to eat the things that aren't good for you.

uPtoWnNY said:

johnart said:

It's a lot easier to blame the media, or a children's book for your kids self-image issues than to actually see it for what it is and recognize that it IS healthier to eat a certain way and to get a chubby butt a-movin' instead of sitting in front of a computer or video game. Just like it's a lot easier to blame kids dressing like whores on music videos than to just lay down the law with your kids.

True. Unfortunately, for poorer families, it's a lot cheaper to eat the things that aren't good for you.

This is kind of true. I've heard this argument since forever, and while in some instances I agree (depends on what you're serving), in others not so much. Even McDonalds is not that cheap anymore. It doesn't cost more to get a box of pasta and a couple of veggies than it does to feed an entire family at McDonalds.