Fifteen year olds no longer have nice figures

[Anonymous]

Have only read first page, but my theory is that it is backlash from our anorexic mindset. I know I've had this mindset for my entire adult life, and have caught myself judging (as if I have room to talk).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all need therapy.

Ain't it the truth! A trip to Haiti might do the trick.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it seems insane to blame one huge issue on one very specific thing but I really think it has a lot to do with Starbucks. From 13 on all the girls have to stop and get their drink daily. Its a status thing, a social thing, and Im sure the caffeine becomes addicting too. And these girls aren't getting black coffee with a splash of milk... they are getting drinks that have the caloric count of a milkshake. I work in middle and high schools and it is unbelievable how many starbucks cups you see. It is definitely a predominately female hobby too. I truly think its directly correlated with the abdominal fat that is almost becoming the norm.

Ohhhh...agree!! I'm shocked by the number of kids getting Frappucinos in the morning - some elementary school-aged with their parents.

Oh for pete's sake. What a thing to be shocked about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know it seems insane to blame one huge issue on one very specific thing but I really think it has a lot to do with Starbucks. From 13 on all the girls have to stop and get their drink daily. Its a status thing, a social thing, and Im sure the caffeine becomes addicting too. And these girls aren't getting black coffee with a splash of milk... they are getting drinks that have the caloric count of a milkshake. I work in middle and high schools and it is unbelievable how many starbucks cups you see. It is definitely a predominately female hobby too. I truly think its directly correlated with the abdominal fat that is almost becoming the norm.

Ohhhh...agree!! I'm shocked by the number of kids getting Frappucinos in the morning - some elementary school-aged with their parents.

Oh for pete's sake. What a thing to be shocked about.

Its also not just starbucks a few times week. Its starbucks before school with mom and after school with friends. Its chiptole with friends after practice and than go home and eat dinner with the family. Its energy drinks, its "protein" bars, its binging on healthy things like guacamole and hummus.

[Anonymous]

When I was 15 I would say almost every girl I knew had eating disordered behaviors or a full fledged eating disorder. Close friend of mine had a minor heart attack from bulimia. Knew a bunch of people over the years getting treatment for anorexia. We were no healthier than kids who are overweight IMO.

[Anonymous]

I am 14 years old and a girl. Over the past year, I have noticed that I have gotten chubbier and gained more and more weight. I used to be thin, but now my belly sticks out a ton (so I can't even see my feet) and my thighs are very big. I can't help it, but I always feel like I have to eat, and I am eating a ton. My mom doesn't say anything, but every month practically I gain weight. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Obesity taking its toll.
And no, we must never say anything to our daughters for fear they'll develop eating disorders!

Rubbish.

[Anonymous]

I see packs of young guys and girls running. Their bodies look good to me. What I think is lame though is that the girls wear skimpy outfits. T-shirts and shorts are a thing of the past.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 25 and I was overweight in high school and looking back I think it had a lot to do with how much stress I was under and how little sleep I got. High school was the most stressful time of my life and I think that is how it is for a lot of kids these days. For the most part I ate pretty healthy, but the lack of sleep and stress caused me to start using food to help cope. When I was up until 2 in the morning doing homework I would have a bowl of cereal or other crap to help me feel better. I was also a varsity swimmer, and even though I was in the pool for an average of 5 hours a day I still held onto the weight and even gained.

Then I went to college and lost 30 pounds in my freshman year. I was just so much happier, I got more than enough sleep and my stress level became manageable. Now at 25 I look great and have no problems keeping the weight off, so I really think in high school it was the lack of sleep and stress that caused the weight gain.

I think you are on to something. Teens today seem way more stressed out and anxious. I'm in my 40s. Yes, we were concerned about getting into good colleges and all that, but nobody was up until 2 am doing homework or doing 18 different activities in order to get into college. And we ate tons of crap food growing up -- Twinkies, Kool Aid, soda, ice cream -- so I don't think it's entirely about the food being worse for you. I think some combination of extra stress, less physical activity and more screen time is the issue. Although we watched a decent amount of TV too but maybe now that kids are also on computers and smart phones all day too, it's having a cumulative effect?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 14 years old and a girl. Over the past year, I have noticed that I have gotten chubbier and gained more and more weight. I used to be thin, but now my belly sticks out a ton (so I can't even see my feet) and my thighs are very big. I can't help it, but I always feel like I have to eat, and I am eating a ton. My mom doesn't say anything, but every month practically I gain weight. Any suggestions?

It's normal to gain out then up and go through a chubby period. Get on a good health routine that includes sports, healthy meals and enough sleep. You will be fine. But don't read DCUM. This place isn't for kids. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

This is what happens when parents force snacks on their kids all day long. Little Madison can go two hours without goldfish crackers or carrot nibs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:they look like they are in their thirties, complete with muffin tops, cankles, saddle bags, potbellies.
When I was young, teens had flat stomachs and cute hips. We looked good in tight jeans and bikinis.
These poor kids aren't even going through that phase of having a nice figure. They go straight from tween years to chubby.
I thought that everyone could remember a time when they blossomed and looked great.

Do you live in VA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what happens when parents force snacks on their kids all day long. Little Madison can go two hours without goldfish crackers or carrot nibs.

Yes - SNACK MOMS at soccer are the worst. Great job actually exercising once this week. Now here is a capri sun and a bag of goldfish to retake in 2x the amount of calories you just worked off.

[Anonymous]

There is a lot of denial in this thread. Kids (and adults) are carrying too much weight in the US. In addition, they do not look particularly healthy.

If you need to see what kids should be looking like at their age, take a trip to continental Europe. Yes, yes, I know obesity is rising everywhere but it s not normal for an entire society to be pudgy or worse.

[Anonymous]

Where do you sll live?

Is this another SES/racial thing

If you walk into any of the top hs in this area there are barely any fat people
If you go to any top colleges in the area agian barely any fat people
If you walk around downtown DC during lunch again barely any fat people