The fight against childhood obesity starts at home, so I followed moms who were food shopping for their kids' lunches. But I discovered that Mom can't always get their kids to eat the foods that are good for them.
Since it's parents who are responsible for buying the food their kids eat, I wanted to find out...
(Kuznits:) "What is on your list to buy for your kids' lunches?"
(Mom #1:) "American cheese."
(Mom #2:) "Salami and crackers, juices."
(Mom #3:) "My daughter goes off without breakfast, so I bought her breakfast bars."
(Kuznits:) "Do the kids like healthy foods?"
(Mom:) "It's a little bit of a struggle."
(Kuznits:) "What do they say?"
(Mom:) " 'Mom, we wanna have what everyone else is having!' And when I go into Wegman's or Shop Rite or whatever, they beg me for the junk. 'Oh, a donut!' 'Oh, Entenmann's' !"
(Kuznits:) "Is that why you're shopping by yourself right now?"
(Mom:) "Absolutely!"
Moms tell me that they often use sweets as rewards:
(Mom:) "The trip to the grocery store with the kids is always a challenge. If they get through the store without too much harassment, then there's some treat at the end of the rainbow."
(Kuznits:) "Do you think they have a lot of temptation at school?"
(Mom #1:) "Oh yeah. And there's trading."
(Mom #2:) "When she sees some of her friends eating the chewy candies and stuff, she wants that. But I remind her about cavities -- and you don't want to get fat!"
(Kuznits:) "Are you scared that when they go to friends houses, that they might eat the junk there?"
(Mom:) "They do."
(Kuznits:) "So what do you do about that, as a mom worried about your kids' health?"
(Mom:) "We try to talk to the moms where we know they have the bad food ahead of time, so sometimes it doesn't come out. But they do eat more carb snacks than I would like, like crackers and cheese crackers and pretzels and that kind of stuff."
So what do the kids like?
"Well, I like the fruit 'cause it's sweet. But the chips are good, too."
(Kuznits:) "You went to a friend's house..."
(Kid:) "Yeah, for a sleepover. And her mom got breakfast and it was donuts."
Regional Affairs Council reports are proudly sponsored by:
Regional Affairs Council Podcasts
A Lifetime of Effects: Physical, Psychological, and Social
What are the long term social effects of obesity? Studies have linked obesity with absenteeism... and as KYW's Hadas Kuznits reports, being excessively absent from school can lead to other negative factors in a child's life. (1:00)
Making the Most of Gym Class
With childhood obesity so prevalent, schools are making the most of gym class. KYW's Mike DeNardo has this report. (1:06)
Less Time For Recess
Recess is a valuable opportunity for children to get some much-needed physical activity. But are schools reducing recess? KYW's Mike DeNardo reports.(1:09)
New Ideas for Student Fitness
In this report, KYW's Mike DeNardo looks at some innovative ideas aimed at getting Philadelphia students to be fit. (1:11)
When Mom's Not Watching...
The fight against childhood obesity starts at home, but moms can't always get their kids to eat the foods that are good for them. KYW's Hadas Kuznits reports. (1:13)
A Dangerous Epidemic
How serious is the problem of childhood obesity in Philadelphia? KYW's Hadas Kuznits spoke with a researcher who wanted to find that out. (1:15)
Healthier Choices at Lunchtime
Schools have been trying to offer healthier lunches. But getting kids to eat them is another story. KYW's Mike DeNardo reports. (1:00)
ADVERTISEMENT
Sponsored Links:
KYW-AM 1060 Newsradio is the Philadelphia market leader with more listeners
than any other radio station in the Delaware Valley and is an integral part
of community and daily life in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.
Listen to KYW streaming online for up to the minute Philadelphia news,
Philadelphia traffic, Philadelphia weather and Philadelphia sports.
Subscribe to KYW podcasts for Philadelphia news on demand and listen to
selected live Philadelphia news events and news conferences. www.kyw1060.com
E-Mail Story
Print Story
