Posted on 06/09/2011 6:37:54 AM PDT by rightwingintelligentsia
PITTSBURGH -- Several department stores are now offering plus sizes for children, which some experts believe is a sign of how serious the epidemic of childhood obesity is.
Linda Peeples, manager of a Pittsburgh-area JC Penny [sic] store, said many parents are thrilled to find the plus sections for their kids.
"You are trying to figure out something to fit this kid so she can be in style and won't be picked on in school. I think that's pretty much the reason why they brought in the plus size," Peeples said.
Peeples said her store has been offering kids plus sizes for several months, and it's not alone. Other stores like Sears and Land's End have more plus sizes for kids.
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
Kimberly Schwabenbauer, a registered dietitian for Super Bakery in Pittsburgh, said parents need to keep their children active.
"These kids don't need to go to the gym. They need to play a pickup game of baseball or even something with their friends like kickball," Schwabenbauer said.
(Excerpt) Read more at wpxi.com ...
I remember when I was a kid that the Sears catalog had a "husky" section.
Stores have offered larger sizes for kids since I was a kid. Back then, there were 1/2 sizes (which would be the husky type size of today). Not everyone that wears a “husky” size is FAT either. Some are just larger kids. Are there fat kids in our country? Yes. Are there larger boned kids? Yes.
I guess Michelle Ubama’s “food deserts” are shrinking.
Sears used to have a line of clothing called “Pretty Plus” for little girls.
Thank you.
My 11-year-old is 5’4”. She doesn’t need to wear women’s styles. She needs “husky”. When she puts on a woman’s medium shirt, it hangs where her breasts will be. Same with the hips.
I have known several kids that wore husky size clothing. A lot of time it has to do with the height and body build. For example, my son wore huskies for about two years. He was taller than average and larger (not fat). For example, a size 10 husky would fit him in length better. (he now stands at 6’00”, 175 pounds and wears mens clothing). There is that funny period between puberty with height and length of clothing. It all works out in the end when they reach the adult size. It can also apply for shorter kids. For example, my daughter is 11 and wears a 8 1/2. The 10 or 12 sizes are too large.
Kimberly Schwabenbauer, a registered dietitian for Super Bakery in Pittsburgh, said parents need to keep their children active.
“These kids don’t need to go to the gym. They need to play a pickup game of baseball or even something with their friends like kickball,” Schwabenbauer said.
WOW, finally an “expert” said something I agree with. We ate the same crap (a lot of it too) and none of us were fat. We were out playing pickup games every day after school. It is amazing how 3 hours of football or basketball at the school yard negates a supersized meal at McDs and a bag of Doritos.
Obesity was never a problem when I was growing up in Pittsburgh. We all ran the streets playing ball or riding bikes until the street lights came on. And with the terrain around here, just getting to the park or your friend’s house gave you a pretty good workout.
It’s about time. My sons are both husky and it was very hard to find something that fit right. We would always have to buy grown up clothes and try to alter them somehow. This is not a “recent” problem, just a “recent” solution.
Everyone’s an ‘expert’ these days - and for ‘expert’ read loud-mouthed Nosy Parker who insists on managing his/her neighbor’s business.
We would be a great deal better off with far fewer ‘experts.’
“When I was growing up... we all ran the streets until the street lights came on”.
This occurred when I was a kid as well. However, today’s children have far more dangers than when we were kids. In fact, just a few months ago, some guy in a van was trying to talk school kids in his van. The kids were walking to school, in a group. Fortunately, one parent had the courage to run back and the van driver left. Depending on the age and size of a child, a parent can no longer let them run free like we did. It is a shame but a reality.
My soon to be 10 year old grandson sits at nearly 100 lbs. Wears a size 14 husky, of which you have to cut a 6 inches off the leg length. His parents watch what he eats at home, had to get onto the school about him getting extra portions. He sneaks food from the fridge when no one is looking. Constantly hungry according to him.
Wow...I really thought the set-up, fabricated PR shots of Michelle O planting a White House garden was going to wake everyone up and eradicate childhood obesity....Amazingl unexpected
How big is Mom and Dad? Would you define him as fat or big? Granted, a lot of pre-puberty kids get heavy and it seems the parents are doing what they should. I’ve told mine that if they are hungry then fruit, a wheat sandwich, or an entire bowl of vegetables will fill you up better and faster than say.. potato chips. According to my pediatrician, no child should be put on a “diet” (restriction of calories to lose weight). If healthy options are allowed and decent meals then the problem usually resolves itself with a good growth spurt.
They always have. This is nothing new. My kids always chunked out right before they grew about 6 inches. All of us are lanky and skinny. Our clothes are too big and it is hard to find clothes that aren’t baggy.
I think it’s just easier for the factories to make sacks than actual fashionable clothing so that is what they do.
Ditto that. JC Penneys had one not so long ago also. There's always going to be a need, however small. Maybe just not a need to 'celebrate' - or demonize - it.
Sears has had 1/2 sizes for at least 40 years.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.