Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Are We Sending Mixed Messages?

 I received this picture in my email the other day, among several from a group called "Friends of Irony"... Yes, isn't it ironic, the seriousness of the billboard declaring that childhood obesity is a real health issue, with the happy girl underneath proudly displaying two bags full of fast food! The fast food picture features--not a yogurt parfait or a carton of low-fat milk (no, that might be a decent message)--but a huge order of fries, a soda, and a sandwich that looks like it contains a fried chicken patty.
Are we sending mixed messages?
Do we tell people to eat healthy foods and then rationalize why burgers and fries are okay sometimes? Are you telling your kids one thing but then showing them something else? Should the schools go back to serving a balanced meal without letting kids have the choice of burgers from the grill or chips from the vending machine?
Post your comments and let's get a discussion going: How do you think we can help raise this generation to make healthier choices and live longer without chronic diseases popping up in their 20's!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you have posted this because I have been thinking about it for a long time, everywhere you look people are sending mixed messages. There are so many TV programmes focusing on how magazines are promoting thin unachievable models who have been airbrushed to teenagers causing eating disorders and they are trying to tell kids to love yourself no matter how you look but on the other hand doing this and having role models such as beth ditto proving they don't care that they are fat is sending out the message that it is okay to be fat when it certainly isn't because of health implecations.
Laura x

lisa said...

the high school that my sons attend has taken out the coke machines and snack machines, but has put high sugar and salt drinks like Gatorade. These drinks thought to be bnetter for you are so over consumed due to this very reason. McDonalds and Burger King are right across the street and the students are not allowed to eat from there due to school lunch policies but the administraters bring there burgers and fries to eat right in fron tof them. I'm all for eating what you want at home, but our kids should be able to watch you eat healthier if you are telling them to do so.

Crazy Life of a Writing Mom said...

That picture is crazy :(

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