Escape Adulthood with Kim & Jason » Let’s Blame Santa for Childhood Obesity

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November 7th, 2007 at 10:45 am

by Jason
In: Adults Are Ruining Everything

Well, I guess it was only a matter of time. Something had to be done.

You see, kids are fatter than ever. And they’re only getting fatter.

Of course, we can’t address the primary cause of the problem (parenting) because it is nearly impossible to question people’s parenting skills — it’s a touchy issue that can make the abortion debate look like a civilized afternoon tea. Since we can’t make parents be better parents (which might include doing stuff like making sure their kids don’t sit in front of a video game for hours on end every day, putting a stop to the purchase of piles of junk food, and electing for a more home cooked meals sitting around a table than fast food feasts consumed in the family SUV), we must look elsewhere.

First we can ban cupcakes from schools. Then we can give out stuff like acorns and toothpaste to kids on Halloween. And you know what else we should do?

Make Santa go on a diet!

That’s what a British shopping center is out to do. Fiona Campbell-Reilly, spokeswoman at the Bluewater shopping centre thinks Santa is setting a bad example to the children who idolize him. She said, “Santa has been around for years, but society has changed and our Santa needs to reflect this.”

*Sigh*

I wonder if we’ll ever go back to the day when parents act like parents so kids could act like kids.

Watch out, Easter Bunny, you’re next, what with your evil little basket filled with chocolate bunnies and jelly beans. Be afraid, Easter Bunny, be very afraid.

Technorati Tags: childhood obesity, Santa Claus, overweight Santa, bad parenting

9 Comments on the Chalkboard »

275448

Oy vey.

Comment by Heather Goodman on 11/7/2007 @ 12:31 pm

275453

Oh dear; makes me embarrassed to be British!

The same thing happened to the Little Chef - someone suggested (for a joke, it might be added) that the chef was a bit tubby, and the company decided they were right. He got his belly back after customer complaints, though.

Comment by Chris on 11/7/2007 @ 1:20 pm

275475

Talk about Political Correctness on LSD, The Washington Post has taken turned this story on its head, suggesting a whole mess of other bizzare things to make santa more modern from, fair labor laws for eleves to disability for Rudolf.

Comment by Veltrex Emina on 11/7/2007 @ 3:31 pm

275679

I saw that Washington Post article…very funny. Probably because it’s not far off from the truth!

Comment by Jason on 11/8/2007 @ 3:48 pm

275871

Just read the Washington Post article - thanks for the link, Veltrex! I, too, started laughing when I was reading it. However, about this whole Santa Claus losing weight thing - are people so afraid of change they have to blame SANTA??? I’m with Jason. Get a life, get out and play instead of sitting at the computer all day. Better yet, do what I did recently and get a puppy! They are guaranteed to get you moving and out into the world. I’ve lost 25 lbs so far and intend to lose more while I walk and play with my “little tornado” Pointer puppy.

Comment by Minette on 11/9/2007 @ 10:14 am

275874

[...] Kim and I have felt that we’ve spent a lot of time ranting on bad parenting. A lot of that is attributed to our mission. Although it largely involves helping [...]

Pingback by Escape Adulthood » Family Dinners: In Praise of Good Parenting on 11/9/2007 @ 10:36 am

275902

The Puppy Weight Loss Program — I love it, Minette! Better than diet pills and fasting for sure!

Comment by Jason on 11/9/2007 @ 12:41 pm

276398

Too funny! (Great link to the Post article by the way). I LOVE Santa. I remember my despair when I found out the truth. But as the oldest I still had to “pretend”.

I still thought it was great. Santa brings families together, encourages sharing, and promotes fun and laughter. I loved it as a kid and I still love it now. I’ll always believe in Santa! :0)

Comment by Shirley on 11/11/2007 @ 8:47 pm

276508

Shirley — Some people don’t like Santa because of how the modern day version was invented by Coke. But like you said, he brings families together and promotes fun and laughter. Good can always come out of less than ideal situations!

Comment by Jason on 11/12/2007 @ 8:55 am

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