BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids An Unselfish Childfree Man

I just saw a segment on Rachael Ray about a man who helped create scholarships for obese children to attend a camp to help them lose weight and live healthier. His father was obese which ultimately contributed to his death by stroke, and this man wanted to help obese kids prevent that from happening to them. He said in the interview "I have a hard time turning kids away from the camp, even if it means paying for it out of my own pocket. I always thought that I would be a father, but I realize these are the kids I was meant to have. Isn't that great? If he'd had his own family, he might never have helped these kids.

His program is called "Louie's Kids" and I'm sure you can find more info on Rachael Ray's website.

Cindy

That's really sweet. And you're right. If he had kids of his own, he probably wouldn't have time for this. And it's very important to teach kids healthy habits. Even if their parents don't teach them, as long as they have one role model who can show them how to be healthy it can do wonders.

So true. If he can help these kids then he's doing wonderful work. No need for his own. Like he says these are the kids he was meant to have. Bravo.

Awesome!! What a great man. He's so right. If their parents are unable to help them be healthy, it's really great there are people willing to step up to the plate.

That actually brings up a question. Do you think parents are at fault when their children are obese?

I guess there is no black and white answer, and it's different for everyone. But in my opinion, to some degree (and personally I think it's a large degree) childhood obesity is within a parents' power to prevent. I wonder what percentage of obese children's parents are obese. Some of it might be genetics, but that can only explain so much, unless our genes as a whole society are going toward obesity.

Disclaimer***I don't watch Dr. Phil, but sometimes when I'm flipping through channels it catches my attention and I stop for a few.***
Anyway, one episode was about an obese man whose wife and daugher were berating him for being heavy and the daughter herself was obese! Dr. Phil asked the daughter where she get's off calling her dad a fat slob when she is obese too and she answered, "It's genetic." Dr. Phil told her "Genetics only determines who has the potential to be fat."
I had never thought of it that way, but he's right.
While I'm sure there are some people who will never be skinny due to their genetics (talking about myself here :)), I would find it hard to believe you can maintain a 100, 200 or 300lb excess if you were eating healthy and taking care of yourself.