Health in mind
Posted by: Elle on: September 13, 2009
Recently, Singapore Dental Association identified the fact that obesity increases the risk of developing teeth, gum problems. Possible victims are teenagers and young children which puts this group of people on high alert. Moreover, it will also cause excess belly fat to be accumulated which will eventually lead to heart diseases and gum problems. One likely reason is parents have the perception that children should be chubby in order to be seen as well fed. Parents ought to change their perspectives so that their children will be less susceptible to teeth and gum problems. Now, the question is should fast food be banned from this age group? If we assume that adults can limit their intake of unhealthy fast food in their diet.
Restaurants like MacDonald’s and KFC often set their target on this age group mainly because they are easy targets. With the freebies from Happy Meal, Chicky Meal and also seasonal collections like the Olympic Cups are some of their strategies to attract more customers to consume their food. Such freebies encouraged young children and teenagers to consume their food on a regular basis resulting in obesity leading to excess belly fat. Then again, the parents are the ones who bought the meals for their children. It could be used as a tactic to pacify them but they are unaware that it will jeopardise their child’s health.
On the other hand, teenagers are supposed to be more informed of a healthy diet. They fall to this category as fast food is easily available in all parts of Singapore. It is seen to be the most convenient and express way to settle their meals. Hence, they willingly grab any burger or meal to satisfy their hunger and while time away.
I would suggest that Parents should take the initiative to dissuade their child from indulging in fast food. Eventually, they are the ones who have the biggest influence on this group of people. They can attempt the transactional model which is face to face communication to get a clearer idea of how their children view fast food and the other alternatives to it. This will prevent miscommunication which strains relationship.Since it cannot be banned from Singapore due to economic reasons, it may perhaps be consumed adequately.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/1003553/1/.html
22 Responses to "Health in mind"
September 14, 2009 at 12:37 am
Aloha! As u were saying that its the parents’ perspective that being chubby equals to being well fed is the cause of child obesity, i believe that in this constantly evolving society, the rise in the standard of education has proven it likewise, especially in the context of the developed and fast developing nations. Parents nowadays are getting increasingly health conscious and most parents strive to provide only the best for their children hence they may not carry that perspective as mentioned above.
As to your question whether children should be banned from fast food, i doubt so. These people comes from the younger age group which at large lacks of health knowledge and do not understands the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle starting with the basic, diet. Hence i propose that a better solution to tackle the problem would be through mass education and parental support and guidence. That is another area that requires detailed discussion but still, banning the comsumption of fast food will definitely not solve the roots of the problem.
Looking at it from another point of view, these fast food outlets are commercial businesses, profit organisations that set out to earn profits thus it wil not be feasible to shut them off or to restrict their markets. Thus its necessary to obtain a balance between both social and commercial aspects in order to get the best of the two worlds. Well or in other words, its a double-edged sword.
September 14, 2009 at 1:25 am
I feel that it is not possible that fastfood outlets be banned in Singapore, and yes, economical reasons do play a part in this.
Other than the young children who are tempted by the toys, we can now see more working adults visiting these fastfood outlets everyday. One reason would be that fastfood is served fast and thus, they save the time of waiting.
However, I think it would be possible to “force” these fastfood outlets to make their meals less oily and more nutritional.
In addition, I think obesity is becoming more common not really because of parents’ perception of chubby children as healthy. Personally, I think it’s because of the lack of exercise. We see students and adults alike stressed up because of school and work respectively and are so busy that many do not make time to exercise. So I think perhaps a better way of easing the problem would for schools and companies to arrange “exercise sessions” at least once a week! 
Help me comment on my blog too yea!
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:) Kai Ting
September 14, 2009 at 2:58 am
Hey,
I guess I’m one of those abnormals who don’t really like fast food. Alas, fast food cannot be banned from anyone and I don’t think any teens nowadays would take advices from their parents. I do think that media can be a alternative to encourage people to eat healthliy such as the Biggest Loser. Hence, perharps it will be better that we focus more on eating healthy diets than banning fast food.
September 14, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I too feel that it is not possible to ban fast food in Singapore. The lifestyle in Singapore is stressful and everything needs to be done quickly hence people tend to opt for the faster option, which in this case is fast food.
Although there are gimmicks used to promote, like toys and collectible items, fast food chains are slowly promoting healthier snacks as well. For example, McDonald’s happy meal also include the choice of corn cup and apple dippers. In addition, they have the nutrition table printed on the pamphlet that they place on their tray.
Eating fast food is not the only factor contributing to obesity. One can be obese through factors like their lifestyle and stress. Sometimes, the parents’ choice of dinning can also affect the choice of their children and eventually create a habit for them.
So I guess that parents should set an example for their children by teaching them to eat healthy. They could probably let their children eat fast food once a while to reward them for something.
September 14, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I don’t think fast food should be banned from children,neither can it be banned in the first place. In this busy society, one must agree that fast food is a convenient alternative for many.
The better way is still to educate children on healthy eating and cultivate healthy eating habits at home. Another way would be to encourage healthier fast foods.
September 14, 2009 at 11:30 pm
It is indeed an arduous task to ban children and teenagers from patronizing fast food outlets as they are almost everywhere around us. With the selling point of being a ‘fuss-free’ way to settle one’s meals (not mentioning the frequent promotions of attractive toys and mugs), it is no doubt that fast food restaurants have become the favourites of children, teenagers and even working adults.
However, excessive consumption of such foods has indeed brought about worrying problems such as obesity among the younger ones. Therefore, like what you have mentioned, parental guidance really plays a vital role in helping to prevent the prevalence of such problems. Instead of totally banning the intake of fast foods, parents can actually bring their kids to fast food restaurants for once or twice a month, treating such outings as an opportunity for family bonding and an incentive for the children after a tiring week at school. During these outings, parents can also educate their kids on the importance of a healthy diet and to eat fast foods on a moderate basis.
Watching children educational programmes such as ‘BO ON THE GO!’ on Okto channel, which promotes and teaches about staying healthy and being active, is also a good way to educate kids! =)
September 15, 2009 at 2:40 am
Well, that is the grandparents’ concepts, not nowadays parents’ anymore, so this should not be a relevant reason soon. What is more important now or in the near future is the availability of home-cook healthy food. Many parents nowadays don’t or even can’t cook at all. What most of them can do is something that is really simple like instant noodle, fired egg… These force our children to have more meals outside. The fact that most fast food outlets are popular is that they are air-coned, price not that expensive and atmosphere is somewhat cozy. This make them become a good place to dine out. The food that they sell are better tasted than most coffee shops, hawker center and food court. Even these places are not cooking healthy food, they mostly just cook to make a living and so long as their food sell, they don’t care about how healthy the food are at times. To solve this problem, secondary students should take up a non examinable subject to learn about life skills like cooking, parenting and more which are beneficial to them. They should not only be taught subjects for career or social but also something useful.
Banning fast food is a noob solution someone should leash out only at the last extent. Having the fast food outlets suppling more healthy food is the cleverer way. We should educate or at last resort, enforce our fast food outlets and outside food stalls to cook and provide more healthy food.
Of course, providing healthy food all round is not the best solution as nowadays some teenagers have the simply ‘bo-chap’ and ‘easy-going’ attitudes. Allow me to explain these, ‘bo-chap” teenagers simply don’t care and can’t be bothered, so they just eat and drink, even with healthy food around, they can still eat more and it can simply go out of control. On the other hand, ‘easy-going’ teenagers will have the attitude to ‘just eat la, won’t die 1 la’… so they just eat and drink. Correcting these will need a combined effort from parenting, educating and a lot more.
Well, having said so much, we must know that we have to accept that no matter how we seek out to correct all flaws in our life, there will be a limit to what we can do at times. We cannot expect to create an ideal world with all healthy, good attitude… people. However, knowing that, these are impossible, we must still strive to achieve the near perfect situations.
September 15, 2009 at 3:31 am
Banning of fast food to children is economically irrational,but socailly desirable.The decision should be made upon the socail trend,whether parents can persuade and limit the intake of fast food by their children. It is not an issue to adults,they can make their choices and be responsible for their health. Perhaps encourageing the public to participate in sports activities more frequently,is a more efficient way to remove excess fats in their bodies.
September 15, 2009 at 4:26 am
part of it is fast food, but part of it is also genes, some people no matter how they eat also skinny one. so there is no need to ban fast food. those people with the fat recessive genes should just jian dian yi dian, dun keep eat those unhealthy food. to be honest, if u think carefully. do u think the vege u eat is healthy? wad abt the fertiliser? do u think the fruits u eat are healthy? wad happen if it is genetically enhanced b4? no doubt fast food is not that healthy indeed, but it is up to the person to know wad he/she should eat or not.
September 15, 2009 at 4:29 am
Hey!
Interesting post you got there. It’s definitely a hot topic in developing countries as food become more and more available. The convenience of food nowadays also contribute to how the obesity rate is growing.
I agree about moderating the intake of fastfood but total ban may be a little too extreme. Moderation is fine as long as their daily intake is fine. (I sound like a dietician or something!) Could suggest exercise and stuff.
Enjoyed reading it! (:
September 15, 2009 at 6:38 am
HELLLOOO LI NI!
Yes obesity is definitely still a serious issue, not only in Singapore but in other countries as well. Globalisation has lead to massive boom of fast food restaurants!
You are right in mentioning counseling and parents’ support would be one of the best methods to control obesity of young children today. The face-to-face interactions will bring best results, as compared to advertisements which would be a one-way communication (linear model). Educating the right values should be start from young so that in the long term obesity will decrease and the world will be a better looking place!
)))))
cforceleste.blogspot.com
September 15, 2009 at 2:47 pm
v interesting topic. makes me realise nt to too eat so much. maybe i shld watch my diet ;D
also i realise fast food has too much harmful chemicals in it, as reported in taiwan recently.
maybe we should jus stick to home cooked food.. hehe..
September 16, 2009 at 6:04 am
thinking along the line of economic theory: without demand there’ll be no supply..
cutting the supply does not necessarily cut the demand.. but people will just turn to alternative sources, which may or may not be a good thing.. for instance.. they might change their preference from fast food to junk food..
in any case.. that will not effectively be able to curb the obesity problem too..
i agree with some of the others that the crux of the problem is the lifestyle and habits of singaporeans.. just think about it.. how many people exercise on a regular basis..
rather than to ban fast food.. perhaps we have to look at how we can promote healthy living.. i remember years back we have many healthy living movements (like the silly singapore workout.. it may not be exactly effective.. but at least it’s an attempt)..
of course there are other macroscopic factors like competitiveness of singapore and our fast food culture (like how students nowadays hang around fast food joints.. be it as a gathering place.. or to study)..
i guess this topic is really very big with many aspects to be discussed..
September 18, 2009 at 4:31 pm
I feel that parents play a very important role in controlling the diet of their children. I feel that parents should watch their children’s diet even when they are young, so that do not have an unhealthy eating lifestyle. It will be much harder to change them as they grow older and when they have developed a habitual imbalanced diet.
September 19, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Fast food has been an issue these days with whole movies created to document the effects of fast food. Indeed, teenagers nowadays have to be more aware of the effects consuming fast food may caused as they are exposed to fast food chain at every turn. Thus, more awareness can be created through schools and parents to help teenagers make a better choice.
September 19, 2009 at 10:47 pm
WATCH SUPER SIZE ME! That will definitely keep people away from fast food especially McDonalds. After watching that documentary I didn’t touch fast food for a few months. It was basically about a guy who ate nothing but Macs for a few months to see the harmful effects of a diet that just consists of burgar, fries, nuggets etc.
I do not agree however, that parents have the perception that kids should be chubby. Perhaps more of the older generation. (Grandparents now) I know a few moms who have already put their kids on a restrictive diet (poor things), and I know my own mom is against me eating fast food because it is unhealthy, and also becuase she sees them as competitors to her own cooking. So i am always inclined to choose the latter lest I subject myself to her nagging.
Otherwise yes I agree that parents play a very important role in shaping their children’s perspectives since young. The amount of advertising fast food chains do (toys) and the aggressiveness and exxageration of their claims (McDonalds as healthy?!) threatens our younger generation. We sure do not want to become fat people, and even if we look lean outwardly we sure do not want our heart arteries to be clogged.
Fast food is like the candy house in the middle of the forest luring unsuspecting victims into its trap of health problems. So yes parents fight back!
November 6, 2009 at 9:50 pm
For me, eating fast food dominated just this phase in my life in my teens for around 2 years (my sec sch days) cause it was a cheap air-conditioned place for me and my friends to have lunch and hang out and make lots of noise. Also it was a cheap air-conditioned place for me to study (cause I’m a person who cannot study at home and I can’t study in the library cause it’s too quiet for comfort for me – yes I know I’m weird). So to me, fast food merely came and go. Cause after that phase, I moved on to eating fast food only occasionally, and opting more for a healthier choice of food. So it shouldn’t go to the extent of killing me off so quickly. Right?
However, recently, even kids as young as primary school students or younger are frequenting fast food chains. Starting from such a young age, these kids may soon be accustomed to eating fast food, and continue this trend of eating them till I don’t know, when they are young adults? That’s a good almost 10 years of eating fast food constantly! This definitely would a health issue! Perhaps parents have no say in telling them about the health issues, but parents should restrict their children from indulging so often in fast food. Limiting them to once a month or so, as a form of reward for their good behaviour or sort rather then letting their kid eat fast food almost daily.
November 6, 2009 at 10:57 pm
Hello! Question for you: do parents really have the “perception that children should be chubby in order to be seen as well fed”? Perhaps not in today’s society, where organic food is the craze, and people are increasingly bothered and (should I say?) paranoid about health due to the influx of diseases, mutated strains and interestingly-named viral flu bugs into our lives. And.. to curb the intake of fast food is one thing; it does not have any long-term viability because obesity is not solely linked to eating too much of fast food. How about exercise? Perhaps the restrictions imposed on the intake of fast food should be coupled with greater effort (and I mean by the parents and closer group of people surrounding the child, in addition to the school and media) to get children to exercise.
November 9, 2009 at 4:50 am
I guess the reason why fast food are so so poplular is because it provides the convenience to us the busy people in the society. Assuming if Macdonalds were to open in the village, i thionk it would collapse, not because its expensive but people rather cook themselves because they have so much time to do so. When it comes to fastfood, the fastest way you can prepare is to fried it. Hence its why its so unhealthy in the sense. but what do they say, when you have demand, you have supply. so to totally banned it would be impossible.
November 9, 2009 at 12:57 pm
wow, nice blog.Nice info indeed. the fast food empire have a very big influence on most of people lives and it’s in our mind. it scare me that even we already know the effect of this habbit, we just cant stop. the goal of “living longer” just no longer famous, we have to start living better.
November 9, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I believe consumers should be responsible for their own decisions. Yes there may be fast food available out there in the market but knowing that consuming it can be hazardous for their health, shouldnt they be the ones to put a restraint on themselves? Also, with reference to the article, I feel parents and school both have a great responsibility to ensure that the children these days are aware of the harm of consuming fast food as their diet. Parental counselling is indeed important as they too are responsible for the health of their children and schools should play an active role in educating students that poor diet can affect the individual’s health.
The key is that children must know and understand what a poor diet can cause to their health.
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September 13, 2009 at 11:37 pm
A worthy issue being raised. Singaporean kids have been eating way too much fast food, compared to our neighbouring countries. Singapore, being a busy society, does need the convenience of fast food, but it will be wise for people to decide on healthier choices in their not-so-busy times.
The Ministry of Health continue to urge our various fast food chains in Singapore towards healthier choices. A very good example of a healthier choice fast food chain is the Subway.