Fictional Teenager Stirs Up Real Trouble

Fictional Teenager Stirs Up Real Trouble

by Brian Foden

Even fictional children can cause controversy.

It's easy to feel sorry for Maggie because she's fat, unpopular, and often teased by her classmates. _(1)_ However, this particular 14-year-old girl is entirely fictional. She is the main character in the recently published book, Maggie Goes on a Diet.  

_(2)_ What's more, she gains popularity and a better self-image in the process.

With child obesity on the rise, a publication encouraging kids to lose weight sounds like something that the general public should embrace. _(3)_ Some experts have criticized this book for promoting the wrong message. For example, a director of a program for eating disorders says youngsters should not be concerned about going on diets to lose weight. _(4)_ Moreover, it's not just nutritional experts who are taking notice of Kramer and his book. Many bloggers and Internet users have attacked the book's message as promoting negative stereotypes against chubby children.

In his defense, Kramer said his intentions were to encourage kids to explore ways of living a healthier lifestyle and discover the benefits of exercising.

_(5)_ Whether you support Kramer's views or side with his critics' objections, one thing is for certainbesity is a touchy subject, especially in children.

(A) Instead, she believes children should focus on eating healthy foods.

(B) Why then has this book written by Paul Kramer caused a storm of controversy?

(C) He sees Maggie as a positive role model, not as a put-down of overweight children.

(D) By changing her eating habits and exercising, the hero of this children's book manages to lose weight and become a star on the school's soccer team.

(E) This sounds like a real-life occurrence happening now across the world, particularly in America, where more than 30 percent of all children are obese.

梅姬，妳到底该不该减肥？

即使是虚构的孩子也能引发诸多争议。

　　一般人容易替梅姬感到难过，因为她肥胖、不受欢迎，而且常被同学取笑。这听起来就像当今发生在全世界现实生活中的事件，特别是在美国，超过百分之三十的孩童体重过重。不过，这位特别的 14 岁女孩纯属虚构。她是最近出版的《梅姬减肥记》（暂译）书中的主人翁。这本童书的主角藉由改变饮食习惯和运动，设法成功减重，并成为足球校队的明星球员。此外，她在过程中受到大家欢迎并获得更良好的自我形象。

　　孩童肥胖的情形日益增加，1本鼓励小孩减重的出版物听起来会是一般大众欣然接受的东西。那么为何 Paul Kramer 写的这本书会引起轩然大波？一些专家批评此书提倡错误的讯息。举例来说，1位饮食失调研究计划的主任表示，孩童不应该担心节食来减重这种事，她反倒认为小孩应该专注在摄取健康的食物上。再者，不止营养专家注意到 Kramer 和他的著作。许多部落客和网民纷纷抨击此书宣传不利肥胖孩童的负面刻板印象的讯息。

Kramer辩称，他的意图是要鼓励小孩探索如何以更健康的生活方式过日子，同时发现运动的益处。他认为梅姬是个正面的榜样，而非过胖小孩的轻蔑代称。不管你支持 Kramer 的观点，或是赞同批评者的反对言论，可以肯定的是，肥胖是个敏感的话题，尤其是孩童肥胖。

答案：  1. (E)2. (D)3. (B)4. (A)5. (C)

台湾癌症基金会调查发现，肥胖学童的父母中，逾六成让孩子自选餐点内容；当孩子不吃蔬果时，仅有一成三的家长会引导孩子吃；有三成会在孩子的书包里放零食；即便孩子已经肥胖，但仍有两成认为孩子的身体质量指数（BMI）正常，另外，有近两成受访家长不知道什么是 BMI。

台湾癌症基金会营养师赖怡君表示，孩子的饮食，其实父母的责任很大。面对学童的营养教育，父母应该多点介入与引导，不能随孩子的喜好做选择，以利教导孩子养成健康饮食的习惯。（数据源：自由电子报）