Childhood obesity.

**Homer 8** · 12-17-2011, 06:22 AM

I'm a social worker in Child protection, have been doing it almost 8 years, starting to get burnt out a little, too much politics and red tape to make a change..

Due to budget cuts all staff have been offered a redundency package.

I have been pondering on the idea for awhile of working for myself doing pt and some coaching, I also want to set up a project tackling childhood obesity, so I'll be combining both, social work & pt..

We're very far behind over here in terms of childhood obesity.
How well do projects work in states and other countries?

Has anyone any experience of them?

**Times Roman** · 12-17-2011, 06:37 AM

reality check....

quite often, obesity is due, in part, to a lack of information/knowledge. Go into any Walmart and you can see for yourself first hand all the heffers walking up and down the isle where there is a disconnect between that twinkie they just stuffed in their mouth and not intending to pay for, and all the extra pounds they are lugging around.

now, let's think about the demographics of YOUR typical customer. The fatties you see in your office of social services are not your clients. If they were, they wouldnt' be in your office. What you need are rich fatties. Where are you going to go to do that?

**Homer 8** · 12-17-2011, 06:50 AM

No what I plan on doing is setting up a service, which I hope to be contracted by local government or council, over here a lot of our services are privately contracted.

I'm a qualified social worker & I also have qualification in psychotherapy, my aim is to take a holistic approach by working on behaviours associated with obesity, along with fitness and will work with a paediatric dietician..

Surprisingly there are a lot of rich overweight kids here so there is that option aswell

**Times Roman** · 12-17-2011, 06:55 AM

here's another problem as I see it....

good quality food (fresh veggies, lean meat, milk etc.) are always more expensive than eating from the 99cent menu at burger king. these government sponsored clients of yours, are they going to be able to afford good clean food, or is the govt going to have to kick in and pay for that too?

I'm against socialism, so never mind me....

**Homer 8** · 12-17-2011, 07:12 AM

Originally Posted by Times Roman

here's another problem as I see it....

good quality food (fresh veggies, lean meat, milk etc.) are always more expensive than eating from the 99cent menu at burger king. these government sponsored clients of yours, are they going to be able to afford good clean food, or is the govt going to have to kick in and pay for that too?

I'm against socialism, so never mind me....

That's very true, over here burger king is a little more expensive, as a job of the worker I'd be hoping to find alternative places to eat on a low budget, the other thing is that not all referrals will be through social work dept but rather the gp..

Thanks for the questions these are the things we will face alright, I have seen a lot of programmes in the states that look good.. Maybe they just have good marketing.

**ddp2727** · 12-17-2011, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Homer 8

That's very true, over here burger king is a little more expensive, as a job of the worker I'd be hoping to find alternative places to eat on a low budget, the other thing is that not all referrals will be through social work dept but rather the gp..

Thanks for the questions these are the things we will face alright, I have seen a lot of programmes in the states that look good.. Maybe they just have good marketing.

If you do decide to tackle this let us know (log or something) how it is going. Me and my wife are also looking into doing something like this. Good thing always when we try and save the kids from the same rut that their family has put them in. Good luck in your ventures no matter what you decide to do with them!

**Homer 8** · 12-17-2011, 08:28 AM

Originally Posted by ddp2727

If you do decide to tackle this let us know (log or something) how it is going. Me and my wife are also looking into doing something like this. Good thing always when we try and save the kids from the same rut that their family has put them in. Good luck in your ventures no matter what you decide to do with them!

Cheers pal I will definitely do that..
That's the key to alot of these issues is getting in and breaking that vicious cycle..

I'll keep you posted.