Barbara J. Hamby

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Fitness

Recently there has been a lot of publicity about the rate of obesity in this country, and particularly, obesity in children. Many possible causes are considered. One I hadn’t thought of until recently is the size of dinner plates in dish sets. On a TV show the other day, the homeowner whose kitchen was being remodeled remarked that the home was built in the ‘60’s and the cabinet shelves were not deep enough for today’s dinner plates. Certainly most restaurant dinner plates are quite large; some look like platters.

For about the last ten years I have been using breakfast plates daily for all meals, unless I have guests or am serving holiday meals. It hasn’t kept me skinny, but I do weigh less than I did for many years. Most restaurant servings provide me with at least two meals, sometimes more.

Undoubtedly there are many reasons for children to become obese—too much television, too few chores, lack of outdoor exercise and bad food choices can all contribute. I’m no longer in the child-rearing years and have no grandchildren, so I’m out of the loop. I am glad to see the problem getting attention.

This last week the Iditarod dogsled race has been in the news. That event is a good illustration of what physically fit athletes can do, even when no longer young. Floyd has a nephew in his late fifties who has won the race in the past, and is in it again this year. It’s been fun for us to follow the race, and especially his progress.

A nephew of mine, in his mid fifties, is running marathons and, if I remember correctly, ran the Boston Marathon after his fiftieth birthday.

These types of contests, in my opinion, set a better example for young people than professional football, basketball, baseball, or hockey. Too many prima donna players of those sports misbehave very publicly. Granted, they are in the minority, but it’s appalling that their behavior is tolerated for the greater greed.

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