I saw a theme of food and children this week while I was going through my RSS feeds and wanted to link to a few posts that offer important reminders or information for me, and might help you too.

Tara from Feels Like Home reminds us that When We Know Better, We Do Better on using food for rewards and punishments. She describes receiving an email that "went on to describe ways that parents could help their children avoid behaviors that lead to obesity. I read intently, excited to see some concrete and specific actions I could take to help Gracie avoid the weight issues I'vesuffered my entire life."

Annie over at PhD in Parenting writes about Olympians and their McDonald's sponsorships, something we have discussed with our five-year-old as we've watched several OIympic events with keen interest. In Annie's post, she writes:

But when I'm trying to convince my kids that McDonald's is not good for you, that fast food will make you sick if you eat it too often, they get to see their Olympic heroes smiling and talking about how great McDonald's is and how much they love it. Mommy isn't an Olympian. If I want to achieve something big like those Olympians, I'd better listen to them instead of listening to Mommy.

I'd like to say my kids are smarter than that, but who am I kidding? They are five and almost three. Advertising works on them.

Katy Farber from Non-Toxic Kids has a guest post addressing Childhood and Obesity:

Studies have shown that obese children tend to have a smaller circle of close friends, leading to isolation and loneliness. Parents often join in the torment even if they are overweight. It can be difficult to escape from the self-image of unattractiveness and body dissatisfaction.

As we've watched the Olympics, we've taken the route of laughing at the commercials featuring the kiddie hockey team that "played like Olympians" and were rewarded with McDonald's chicken nuggets, and Z has picked up the thread and begun scoffing whenever a McDonald's commercial comes on. It's hard to say how deep this early version of critical engagement with advertising really runs, but maybe mimicry is the first step!

There has also been some interesting discussion surrounding our posting of Jamie Oliver's talk at TED regarding the epidemic of childhood obesity in this country, and the potential consequences of it for the lifespans and adult health of our children. While we think the primary commenter has some excellent points regarding our knowledge of obesity and its effects, our main point still stands - current mortality rates can tell you little to nothing about mortality rates under changing conditions, and those who claim "the sky is not falling" fail to understand the basic function and limitations of these statistics. If you'd like to enter the discussion with any observations or thoughts of your own, please do!

An eye-opening and inspiring TED talk from celebrity chef turned food industry reformer Jamie Oliver, author of Jamie's Food Revolution. "We, the adults of the last four generations, have blessed our children with the destiny of a shorter lifespan than their own parents. Your child will live a life 10 years shorter than yours because of the landscape of food that we’ve built around them. [...] The statistics of bad health are clear, very clear.”



[Via Thingamababy]

I wrote about anxiety not too long ago in a post about stress and its effect on children. But I have been feeling the need to write more about anxiety. PBS just aired 6 hours worth of programming on how we function as human beings called This Emotional Life. The second segment, "Facing Our Fears," contains valuable information on anxiety and coping skills and I would recommend it to all.

But my reason for writing about anxiety is a little closer to home. One of my family members admitted to me that she is experiencing anxiety attacks in these troubled economic times. Since I have had a lot of experience with anxiety, I am "anxious" to find a way to make life easier for her!

One of the things that has been most useful to me in my understanding of anxiety is the following equation: Panic = Increased Perception of Danger divided by Decreased Belief in Coping Skills and Resources

In order to get over panic, first it is essential that you decrease the perception of danger. To do so, ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are these symptoms I'm feeling truly dangerous?


2. What is the absolute worst thing that could happen?


3. Am I telling myself anything that is making this worse?


4. What is the most supportive thing I could do for myself right now?

Second, however, you must also increase your belief in your coping skills and resources. Following is a list of helpful hints for beginning that process. I picked this list up somewhere along the way, but can't remember who should be credited.

• Remember that although your feelings and symptoms are frightening, they are neither dangerous nor harmful.


• Understand that what you're experiencing is merely an exaggeration of your normal reactions to stress.


• Don't fight your feelings or try to wish them away. The more willing you are to face them, the less intense they will become. (See my post on Body Talk)


• Don't add to your panic by thinking about what might happen. If you find yourself wondering, "What if?" tell yourself, "So what!"


• Stay in the present. Notice what is happening to you rather than concern yourself with how much worse it might get.


• Label your fear level from zero to 10 and watch it go up and down. Notice that it doesn't stay at a very high level for more than a few seconds.


• When you find yourself thinking about fear, focus on and perform some simple, manageable task. (or wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap yourself to remind yourself to think of something else).


• Notice that when you stop thinking frightening thoughts, your anxiety fades.


• Ground yourself. Touch the floor or some other object.


• When fear comes, accept it; don't fight it. Wait and give it time to pass.


• Be proud of the progress you've made. Think about how good you will feel when the anxiety has passed and you are in total control and at peace.

Finally, rehearse your new behaviors. Write down some of your fears on one side of a 3x5 card and write your coping response on the other side. Begin to take control of your anxiety and watch it disappear!