THE PAMPERED CHILD SYNDROME and CHILDHOOD OBESITY

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THE PAMPERED CHILD SYNDROMEandCHILDHOOD OBESITY

• Maggie Mamen, Ph.D.
• Psychologist

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BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

• Adequate sleep
• Good nutrition
• Fresh air and exercise
• Nurturing
• Safety and security

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PARENTS COMMENTS

• We cant get her to go to bed
• He doesnt like healthy food
• She doesnt like doing any kind of exercise
• We cant persuade him to switch off the
  TV/Nintendo/computer/MSN
• If he doesnt get what he wants, he hits me
• She has a hissy fit if we ask her to wear a bike
  helmet

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In other words

• We cant make them thats being
  authoritarian/strict/mean
• We cant say no it might damage their
  self-esteem
• We cant decide for them children should make
  their own choices
• even if their lives depend on it

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PARENTS GOALS to raise children who

• are comfortable and happy
• are stimulated and enriched
• can make their own choices
• are included in family decisions
• are given reasons for what we ask them to do
• are treated equally and fairly
• can express their feelings and be heard

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MESSAGES RECEIVED

• I should never be uncomfortable or unhappy, and
  when I am, someone should do something about it
• I should never be bored
• No one can tell me what to do its my choice
• Adults should always consult me before making
  decisions
• I wont do anything unless I agree with the
  reason Im given
• I should be treated the same as adults
• I should only do things I feel like doing
• If I want it, you should give it to me

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THE PAMPERED CHILD SYNDROME

• Exaggerated sense of entitlement
• Difficulty with delay of gratification poor
  impulse control
• Self-focussed
• Demanding of adult attention
• No respect for authority, boundaries

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• Lack of self-discipline
• Low threshold for discomfort
• No resources for handling disappointment,
  failure, loss
• Little empathy, guilt, remorse
• Signs/symptoms of major physical or mental
  disorder (e.g., depression, anxiety, bipolar
  disorder, ADHD, ODD, conduct disorder, obesity)

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GRADUAL DISEMPOWERING OF PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

• Backlash from authoritarian parenting, parent
  blaming
• Political events in 60s and 70s
• Love is enough
• Childrens rights
• Legacy of abuse focus on self-esteem
• Child-centred parenting philosophies
• It takes a village professionalizing
  parenting
• Marketing, advertising, nag factor

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ADVERTISERS, PARENTS AND OBESITY

• Incidence of obesity highest in children who
  watch 4 hours of TV/day
• The average child sees 40,000 commercials a year
• Children influence about 75 of family food
  purchases and 67 of car purchases
• Eatertainment food must be fun!
• Marketers rely on parental inability to say no
  to childrens desire to fit in
• Companies bypass parents by marketing at school
• Message listen to us, not your parents

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WHAT PARENTS CAN CONTROL

• What food is available in the home
• Choices offered to children
• What portions are served and when
• Culture of mealtimes
• Amount of exercise/outdoor activity
• TV/computer/video games
• Their own lifestyle choices

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SEVEN HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PROFESSIONALS

• Empathize there but for fortune
• Explore parental goals/messages
• Ensure strategies are in line with goals
• Educate - provide accurate information
• Encourage healthy lifestyle choices
• Expect positive results
• Empower parents to parent

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So that our children can

• Know their faculties
• Test their strengths
• Train for real life
• Alfred Adler

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AND REMEMBER ... when it comes to making a
difference

• whether you think you can
• or
• whether you think you cant
• YOURE RIGHT!