First Lady Michelle Obama takes heat for naming Sasha, Malia in campaign against childhood obesity

LATimes ^ | February 9, 2010 | Johanna Neuman

[maggief]

EXCERPT

Now, some critics are questioning whether using her own daughters as examples is fair to them. "Was it hurtful to her girls?" asked one blogger who focuses on Mommy issues. Psychology Today even questioned the first lady for using the word "chubby" to describe her daughters.

While her heart is in the right place, Michelle may not have considered or been familiar with the delicate balance between preventing obesity and triggering eating disorders. She mentioned that she put her children on a diet after her pediatrician and their father felt they were getting “chubby.” Words like “chubby” don’t cause eating disorders but they are often a trigger to disordered eating behavior. As an eating disorder professional, we would strongly caution parents from using labels or prerogative words to describe their child’s weight as this has lasting impacts on a child’s self esteem.

[celtic gal]

WOW LOOK at the expression on the faces of this group of kids as they come to understand they won’t get hot dogs and ice cream at the games anymore..nope not gonna happen..spinach is the order of the day..spinach dogs for them..

[grame]

I was the chubby one, my next sister was curlie headed one and the youngest was the baby. I can hear those words to this day. but I chose now not to agree with them.

[Mears]

I had a daughter with anorexia many years ago. All worked out, thanks to early intervention, and weight is never discussed around the grandkids.

I’m appalled at what Mrs Obama has done——her girls are beautiful and she should be ashamed of herself. Seems like the fancy formal education left out good,common sense.

[greatplains]

What a stupid cow. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way those girls look. Way to help build self-esteem, you insensitive clod. Makes you wonder if she's hypercritical of them in private. Oh, my apologies to cows everywhere.

[colorado tanker]

Having lived through one mother-daughter war, I can say that Michelle doing this on the verge of teenagerdom is a really, really stupid idea. She's gonna get a double-dose.

I would hasten to add as a post-script that we came through the other side and my wife and daughter get along great today.

[mlizzy]

I heard the same words as a child from an uncle and have never forgotten them. Right before I got married my mom and brother were along on a shopping trip with me and my brother told my mom that I walked like I was fat and he didn’t understand why (she told me later). I was 125 pounds and believed I was fat. That’s what adults’ words can do to you.

Yes, and we heard these words just by ourselves. Imagine the entire nation hearing you're "chubby." Michelle just wanted an "excuse" to start up her program(s), and she did so at her children's expense. Witchy?

[Thinkin]

“I have a tall daughter (5’2” at 10 years old). Every few months she gets a little “chubby” right before she shoots up again. It’s usually a warning sign for me to get the money together for new clothes and shoes (sigh).”

My grandson has been doing the same thing...he puts on some extra pounds....then...shoots up 2 inches...

He’s now 15 and 6’ tall....lately, he’s put on a few extra lbs.......looks like he just might grow into his size 13 shoes !!!

[shiva]

That's fat? Shame on you Michelle.

[Carley]

of course, every mother calls their daughter’s ‘fat’ in public.

Eating disorders are rampant among young girls and women. You would think this woman would know better, but exploitation is in her DNA.

[RoseofTexas]

Imagine that, a Disbarred Michelle telling us what we can and cannot eat! The disbarred lawyer from Illinois has some nerve! PLEASE America kick them to the curb!!

[maggief]

Those type of scars run deep, even said privately.

Exploitation is correct. Reminds me of the bogus Meningitis stories.

[matginzac]

Me too...

[maggief]

That’s an adorable picture ... cute, AGE APPROPRIATE outfits too.

[freekitty]

Agree. I don’t think Michelle is normal.

[maggief]

Michelle Obama is shown in a photo from her grade school years.

[Palladin]

Those kids look so happy to be there—NOT!

[beelzepug]

“Dad announces the kid’s grade on a test. This from a dude who won’t even produce his own birth certificate!”

Or his own grades, for that matter.

[ari-freedom]

I don’t think they realize that anorexia is an even bigger problem than obesity for young girls.

[ari-freedom]

“Psst Sasha and Malia... the GOP won’t give you a hard time if you are a trifle heavy set....”

ok ok we’ll have to lay off the Meghan McCain jokes.