Posted By: kdaniel2008 on
Do the newspapers, TV adds, and the shows our children watch influence adults to make negative choices when shopping for food and feeding their children? Is this a reflection of the obesity problem among children?
Tags:
children, food, television, obesity
Posted By: magneticjellybean on
Well, its about time I started doing some more blogs. I've just finished my busy month at work (tax returns blah blah) and things are a little less hectic and I'm a little more with it.
So work is now back to normal. Part way through January I decided to change my hours round a bit. Partly to fit in with the train times - my evening train was becoming increasingly unreliable, and part way through the journey switched to a shuttle bus. However if the train is too late the shuttle bus driver has to finish work and so I get stranded half way home. So now I'm catching the later service which is a straight through service.
I'm also going in later in the morning, which means I can exercise before going to work. I'm about three weeks into this now - and I think out of the six days I've planned to do exercise I've done something 4 or 5 days each week. Which isn't bad. Its certainly easier to be more consistent with exercise first thing. And if I'm tired I can have an extra hour in bed instead. So its working well so far.
Due to getting in a bit later in the evening I've been experimenting with the slow cooker again, which is going ok. Although I think I always use too much liquid. Anyway, I've ordered a new recipe book to give me some more ideas for the slow cooker.
Eating has been going ok. But could be better. Social occasions always mess up my plans - why do they always revolve around food? And why do I always have to try a bit of everything? And when exercise goes to plan I think overall I get hungrier, plus subconciously I think oh it doesn't matter, you're exercising, but I overdo it and end up putting weight on. I do find I am constantly either thinking about food or planning what to have for the next meal or totting my calories up in my head. It would just be nice to be able to eat exactly what I want when I want, but I dont expect that would be very good for me either.
Didn't have any pancakes last night - DH was out and wouldn't have been much fun on my own. Will save them up for another time.
I've been watching Supersize vs Superskinny on telly recently. Anyone else seen it? Very odd. I can't decide whether I think its a good idea or not. An overweight and an underweight person live together for one week and swap meals. This process is meant to open their eyes to their own unhealthy habits. Following this they are given a 3 month healthy diet plan (which we are given no details of) and then they come back and weigh themselves again. This is interspersed with McKeith shouting about big bums and Anna Ryder Richardson trying out faddy diets. I think my conclusion is that its jumping on the band wagon of naff diet programmes but does provide some amusement for the viewer.
Tags:
food, diet, television, train, work
Posted By: sittercity on
The holidays are almost here, and your TV might look more and more tempting as a quick substitute babysitter. We get it -- we all need a break once in a while. But before you or your (real life) babysitter turn to the television, check out this quick guide for age-appropriate TV viewing.
Under 2: Should not watch TV, says to the American Academy of Pediatrics
This age is a crucial period for brain development, and TV can get in the way of learning, skill-development, exploring, interacting, etc.
School-Age: Should not watch more than 2 hours daily
An added bonus? The less TV they watch during the pre-holiday season, the fewer commercials they’ll see and the fewer toys they’ll put on their holiday lists... 
So what SHOULD kids watch?
First off, remember: TV isn’t inherently "good" or "bad." It’s how you use it that makes all the difference. Look for educational shows and quality programs with valuable messages to make the most of your TV time.
ELEMENTS OF A "GOOD" TV SHOW
-- Appealing approach. You child may prefer an animated series or live-action. Whatever his preference, if the approach appeals to him, he'll be more engaged.
-- A clear message. The show's format can directly affect the clarity of the message. Many different story lines and separate messages can overwhelm some children and stimulate others. Which works best for your child?
-- Engaging involvement. Some shows have great concepts, but the presentation falls a little flat -- making it ineffective for your child.
--Strong male and female characters. This will prevent your children from viewing certain roles as being "just for boys" or "just for girls."
Another great tip is to watch the TV with your child. Talk with him, discuss the characters and program plot, and actively interact instead of simply staring at a screen. If you can’t do this, a Sittercity babysitter certainly can.
Finally, to ensure that TV time doesn’t become the only kind of time in your home, read these Sittercity library articles for ways to have FUN with the kids without being dependent on technology:
Exercise/movement-related activities
Simple game ideas, from the classic to new ones (with a few that get your kids to clean while they have fun! How sneaky...)
Tags:
kids, games, tv, television, activities