Does a child know what being unhealthy means? Or do they just know what skinny looks like, and how fat is undesirable?
In Australia, a new eating disorder has been recently discovered. Three children are being treated at a hospital for losing a third of their body weight due to an irrational decision to get thin, according to this Herald Sun article that came out on Sunday.
The children may have a distorted idea of what public health campaigns are trying to say, the article writes. Instead of gaining an understanding about the importance of eating healthy and getting exercise, the children believe that fat is bad.
This story got to me. Although I was raised in a family that always fed me well, I don't think I ever really understood the importance of nutritious foods. I do think that it is important to market health to kids, but I also think that it is important to emphasis being “healthy” – not emphasizing getting thin. I’m not sure what ads are running over in Australia, but I do hope that this eating disorder is something that will raise awareness of how to properly educate kids.
When you were growing up, did you know what “healthy was?
Did you regularly exercise as a kid?
When I was growing up, my mom always made healthy and homemade meals and I ate pretty healthy. Of course she allowed us sweets and junk every now and then, too. I gre up KIND of knowing what healthy was, I guess. :) When I was younger I was on the move ALL DAY LONG! I was always riding my bike, playing with friends, roller blading, walking, running.. whatever. :) Ahh yes.. the good old days.. :)
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