It Begins In The Home
Rarely will you hear me flinging insults toward those who suffer from weight-related problems. I have been there myself, and I thoroughly realize the challenges one faces when he or she chooses to deal with obesity.
That being said…Rob Reiner is a wanker.
I just read an article written last year by Reiner championing yet another campaign: the war on childhood obesity.
Hey, I am all for Reiner’s efforts to reduce cigarette smoking, and of course I applaud anyone wanting to help put an end to the pandemic of childhood obesity. But come ON.
Rob Reiner: a champion
of the anti-obesity cause?
Notice the picture of Rob Reiner to the right. Do you really think this man should be opening his mouth about the nation’s problem with obesity without first solving his own weight problem? That is beyond hypocritical, especially considering the article mentions nothing about Reiner’s own struggle with weight, nor the fact that his own children are exposed to the same lifestyle choices that he makes to create the problem to begin with.
Call me a jerk if you want, but I’ll stand on my soapbox on this issue: “Hey Rob…keep your mouth shut about how to deal with obesity until you freakin’ decide to manage your own weight problem.”
This is no different to me than the late Charlton Heston protesting school shootings, or Mel Gibson ranting about alcoholism and misogyny. Please…spare me the Hollywood drivel. Get a handle on your own issues before mouthing off about the world’s, especially when you are hiding behind the walls of fame and fortune.
If Angelina Jolie wants to champion the cause of third-world adoption, then so be it. She has earned that right. If Jared (the guy from the Subway™ commercials) wants to earn some bucks and preach about losing weight, good. Despite the fact that his approach isn’t exactly my cup of tea, he deserves to be heard.
But in no way should we continue listening to good ideas from those who refuse to accept them in their own lives. That’s nothing more than lofty platitudes.
The reality behind childhood obesity is not one we adults want to own up to. Kids emulate their parents and need some damn discipline. One or both of these reasons are responsible for the vast majority of obese kiddos in our culture: poor role models in mom and dad, and poor parenting on the part of mom and dad.
Taking my own rather acerbic advice, I will refrain from further comment on the parenting bit — but like Reiner, you know I am speaking the truth. (Reiner is speaing truthfully about the problem of childhood obesity and the quality of food in our schools.) Until I have kids of my own, I’ll just state the facts and refrain from advice on child-rearing.
However, I am happy to discuss role modeling, and the rather common sense ah-ha realization that kids mimic adults. Even when other factors are at work, our responsibility for providing excellent role models for a healthy relationship with food cannot be ignored.
Take a look at the role models in my book Fit Over 40 if you want to see how you too can live the example yourself.
You know, when I was a kid my father told me to never smoke. I never did smoke — and you want to know why? Because my father had the gumption to quit himself years before he preached to me about it. I could respect him and emulate him all at the same time.
I think Reiner, and the rest of us, should take the same honorable steps and manage our own lives first. That is the greatest teacher any child can ever have — a parent who walks the talk.
[jB]
Archived in Fit Over 40, Just Jon.
This entry is tagged: children, Fit Over 40, obesity
Comments (10)
Mary said:
I’m a mother and I totally and completely agree!!
You tell it like it is Jon!!
Thumbs up!! and Thanks!!
Posted on Jun 02, 2007 07:50 PM
Wanda said:
So, so, so True— Very well spoek Jon ! I couldn’t agree with you more ! Excellent post ! :-)
Posted on Jun 02, 2007 08:38 PM
Barbara said:
I agree 100%! It also irritates the hell out me when anyone who hasn’t ‘been there’ jumps on the bandwagon and tries to give advice. Don’t get me wrong, someone who is healthy and fit may have something to offer. It’s like you said, a fatty shouldn’t be telling us how to get healthy anymore than an active alchoholic should be preaching AA in a bar!
Good to see you again btw, was starting to worry bout ya! LOL
Barbara, RN, DGN
Posted on Jun 03, 2007 07:47 AM
Bill said:
Jon,
Great post. Nice timing too. This topic has been front and center for me lately. As I was walking around SeaWorld and Fiesta Texas in San Antonio last week, I couldn’t help but notice all the fat-asses in my midst. It was disgusting. I actually started keeping mental notes and came to the conclusion that about 80% of the people I saw were significantly overweight. Not just a little overweight. I mean noticeably overweight. It should be illegal to wear such little clothing with so much body displayed for the rest of us to gag over. The scariest part is they were all snarfing down garbage that was doing nothing but make them even fatter.
Don’t worry about making comments on parenting. You don’t need to have kids to recognize idiocy in parenting. You are right on target. It was not just adults I saw who were fat. Most of the kids were too. I’m only 44 and when I was growing up, very few kids were fat. Usually, the ones who were had a genetic predisposition to carry around a few extra pounds. Not today. I can’t tell you how many kids in their teen years (which should be the leanest years) I saw who were noticeably overweight. This is solely due to bad parenting. Ask my 7-year-old daughter about the food pyramid and she’ll tell you its bunk. I set her straight when they did that section in school last year. Most parents not only provide a poor role model but abdicate all responsibility and let their kids believe crap and eat crap.
I’ll be happy to serve as your resident expert on parenting the next time you want to post a comment on it. Run it by me and you can cite me as agreeing with it.
Bill
Posted on Jun 03, 2007 08:26 PM
Elizabeth said:
In defense of parents of overweight children… I’m a single mother of 3 teens. My kids have almost always been involved in some sport through school and we regularly swim, bike, hike, canoe on weekends together as a family. I’m a marathon runner and triathlete who eats very clean and serves the family lean meats and veggies every day. There is always fruit to snack on and I never buy chips or sodas unless there a special occasion and I’m specifically asked to bring chips. All that being said … I have one daughter in the 180 range. Her form of rebellion is to eat foods she knows I won’t buy. When she’s not being hormonal she admists that it’s not healthy and that she doesn’t like how she feels … but refuses to read the books I buy her, or go talk to a nutritionist. I even tried a counselor! It’s hard to get her to talk about it without it becoming a confrontation or her leaving the conversation feeling sad. I’ve read a LOT about how to motivate a teen, how to build their self esteem … apparently to no avail. In my experience - it’s not always the parent’s “fault” that kids are overweight. At a certain age these wonderful little people are going to make decisions of their own, whether we like it or not!
Posted on Jun 04, 2007 06:58 AM
Jon Benson said:
Elizabeth;
The age range for “childhood” obesity is usually 12 and under. Some studies do 14. In the case of ‘children’ versus ‘teens’, is it “usually” the fault of poor example — and even the studies discuss this. Of course, there are always exceptions, and you are right: after a certain age, they are on their own!
We still owe it to them to set the example.
Posted on Jun 04, 2007 09:57 AM
Paul said:
Jon,
Perhaps Rob Reiner is practicing self visualization, actually seeing himself as a studly , buff, cut dude. Maybe he read the book and is on a personal devleopment quest…you gotta believe it first then it will happen.
Guess Not….
I certainly agree with your comment to Elizabeth and I might add, It’s great that kids do at some point start to make their own decisions. One of my goals has been to raise my kids to be independent thinkers.
Paul
Posted on Jun 04, 2007 03:21 PM
kirsty said:
i totally agree with the role model for kids, for years i fed my kids
a lot of the wrong food but most of it i thought was ok for them
personally i think everyone should get educated on health and nutrition at school , i have 4 kids 3 of wich are teenagers now and 2 of them just refuse the majority of food i make, this has left me feeling like im failing them as they are my responsibility, but then i didnt know any better then, now one of my goals is to get healthier lunches and snacks in my kids school, i also think it would be good to start seeing adverts on tv for kids and familys enjoying healthy food as i think that plays a big part in brain washing kids.
Posted on Jun 05, 2007 11:42 AM
Jon Benson said:
Kirsty;
This is exactly the attitude I wish Mr. Reiner had! Hey, we all make mistakes. My mom and dad did as well, but I don’t blame my health issues on them. Like Elizabeth said, at some point it becomes the responsibility of the child/teen.
I also totally agree with the media comment. Again, I would suggest that media habits begin in the home. There is nothing we can do about McDonalds running a billion commercials a year except set an example for our kids by watching less TV.
My position is that kids are amazing recorders who play back whatever we say and amazing mirrors who show us more of who we are and what we are doing. It is an amazing thing really! Parents have such a massive responsibility. I admire anyone who is endeavoring to be the best parent he or she can be…and that starts with responsibility.
If we eat better, they will probably (not always, but probably) eat better. If we watch less TV, they will probably do the same. Eventually they will make up their own minds, but at least we have provided a good example for them to pattern.
Posted on Jun 05, 2007 11:54 AM
Sarah said:
Lol, getting in late here, but …
I agree with the OP, no question. A comment to the same sort of thing though: why would you listen to a doctor or nutritionist telling you how to lose weight (note, not specified fat over weight in general) when they themselves often look less than healthy? Yet many overweight people ask their doctor for help - which he rarely gives. (been there, over and over and lost faith in the medics, exucses made to the ones who do care).
Comment on the kids … My son once told me “I don’t like vegetables Mom, but since you tell me they are healthy, and I do see a difference since I started eating them more, I will keep eating them.” And who is to say that kids can’t be role models for the parents? It was my daughter who dragged me to a gym for the first time after all :)
Posted on Mar 11, 2008 02:20 PM