Posted by Racer on May 31, 2006, at 23:20:47
In reply to Well-Intentioned Food Police... NY Times article, posted by Dr. Beth Steinhauer on May 31, 2006, at 10:56:04
What do I think... I think a lot of things, not one of which is complimentary to the lackwits who came up with these rules.
Huh?
Oh, yeah, specifics...
First of all, I have to admit that what the families of anorexics say about the whole "obesity epidemic" focus triggering symptomology. I was anorexic long before people were talking about obesity everywhere, but even into my late thirties/early forties it still got to me. Every time I heard another news item about The Obesity Epidemic, I would think, "There -- that's proof that I need to lose a little more, to give myself a little wiggle room between here and obesity..." And those commercials for weight loss products?
But the whole concept of food police in schools bothers me a great deal. We've got the peanut bans around here in California, and it's true that peanut allergies are very dangerous. But banning PB&Js for everyone, because maybe one or two kids are allergic? Nope. Not appropriate. Banning cupcakes for birthdays? That's only going to lead to hurt feelings. No seconds? Uh... OK -- way to teach a kid to restrict.
As long as food is a moral issue, and not nutritional sustenance, there will be eating disorders. Whether it's Anorexia Nervosa, or Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder, or just turning to food for comfort and then feeling guilty about it -- that's what the schools are teaching when they play Food Police.
And do you have an opinion on it? :^)
poster:Racer
thread:650968
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/eating/20051009/msgs/651302.html