Book about Dieting for Kids? Tread carefully.

A friend shared this article on my Facebook wall last week: Dangerous? Book About Dieting Teen Targets Kids 6-12. My initial thought was that the question mark after the word "Dangerous" should be changed to an exclamation point.

This children's book is about a 14-year-old girl named Maggie who goes on a diet and becomes her school's soccer star. I believe that author Paul M. Kramer has decent intentions, hoping to help overweight children feel inspired to get fit and healthy. But creating a role model like Maggie who goes from overweight and insecure to thin and popular, unfortunately, is the wrong approach.

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The article about the book states, "Through time, exercise and hard work, Maggie becomes more and more confident and develops a positive self image." But the book appears to be giving the following message to kids: dieting & exercise leads to weight loss which leads to popularity and happiness. Danger. This type of thought process has been shown to lead to eating disorders and poor body image in kids (and in adults for that matter).

Nevertheless, we live in an age when the prevalence of overweight and obese children is down-right frightening. So yes, kids should be encouraged to eat well and be physically active but NOT as a means to popularity or weight loss, but rather to feeling good and being able to perform well in school and athletics. Kids don't need to read a book about a girl who goes on a diet in order to be inspired to lead healthy lives...what they need is education and example.

Overall, I believe that Kramer is passionate about helping children, and I hope that once the book comes out in October, it will not be as dangerous as I'm worried it might be.

If you want to learn more about how you can inspire children to live well, visit the following website and read about a program that is really making a difference by making it fun for kids to eat nutrient-rich foods and be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day: Fuel Up to Play 60!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic. It's a great conversation starter, and I think it's an important thing to consider. Be well, and enjoy the day!

Growin Up

I've said it before, but I am very lucky to grow up in a home where we were always beautiful. Where my mother wasn't on a diet, where weight wasn't emphasized, where our brains were praised before our pretty faces.

But I think it gets hard to grow up every single year. The world young girls and boys are growing up in now is one loaded with self-esteem landmines, where "perfect" is more important than ever.

I don't pretend to understand the ins-and-outs of parenting, and I completely sympathize that is not an easy task.

But is Sketcher's Shape-Ups for 7 years olds a great idea?

Let's start that food guilt and fat talk really early! And totally ignoring the fact that studies have shown that "Shape-Up"/Toning shoes don't work. oh and let's also ignore the fact that apparently Boys don't need them, Girls only. Absolutely outrageous. (don't worry a petition has already been started to pull this item. You should sign it too)

If you want to vomit, watch this news special on a Pageant-Mother who gives botox injections to her 8-year old daughter. Because dimples are simply unacceptable when you look in the mirror. I almost started bawling when I realized this little girl can never again frown or smile.

We need less Sexy Troll dolls, and more Girls on the Run.

We need less kid's push-up bras and more BodiMojo

It's a scary world out there for pre-teen and teenagers, what can we do to make the world a little bit of a better place for them to grow up in? I'd love to hear your ideas!! also what ridiculous things have you seen marketing to kids lately?