While I like to think being a kid was way more awesome in the 80's, blaming a lack of physical activity can't possibly be the sole or even major culprit for child obesity.
The kids here in Taiwan are all freakin' rakes, every last one of 'em. There are a couple of students in the class who get teased for being 'fat' and these kids are nowhere near overweight. They would be considered 'big for their age' in Canada.
And these kids get virtually no exercise. They have gym class 2 days a week and spend 10-12 hours a day at school, sitting down, reading and doing paper work. The most activity I've seen them get is 15 minutes once or maybe twice a week when we go to the park and they kick a ball back and forth.
Diet has got to be far-and-away the biggest cause of childhood obesity.
|