[Patty_Ann]

Originally Posted by muppet

I know about the 'eat everything on your plate' thing too. It's hard for people like me, and like my kids, who have always had plenty to really understand that attitude. My husband has it though, and I know he didn't have a lot as a kid, but they weren't starving. They were very frugal, and did NOT believe in waste. I think it's really hard for people to understand throwing out food, who have lived through really lean times. Most of us don't know what it feels like to really be starving. To literally have nothing to eat....We live in an age of abundance.
But, in these times we live in, I really don't think obesity is a problem, especially in young people, because they are told to clean their plates at home. I think a big part of the problem is that they aren't eating at home enough. Too much fast food-- too big of portions, and too much unhealthy snacking, is a pretty common diet for a lot of kids. Also, too much computer and video game time. There's just too many things encouraging are kids to stay in, and sit down ( and snack , of course) And, it's really, really hard, to get everyone home, at the same time, to sit down to a nice home-cooked meal. But it is well worth the effort!

I couldn't agree more! I can remember when I was a senior in high school - 10 years ago...for lunch I would eat a candy bar and pepsi - then after school I would eat more junk food. I didn't have a problem with my weight back then but it sure did catch up with me...as my mom would say. I can remember my aunt would tell me to stop eating so much bread b/c it would catch up with me and it will all be in my rear-end. Boy...were they right!