If you haven't heard yet Colorado recently ranked "50th" in adult obesity, according to " F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America, 2005". Not bad Coloradoans. We must be doing something right.

But what is the media saying to our kids about weight and acceptability? Well if you haven't seen Britney Spears' latest performance on the VMA's, you are probably not reading this either, because what our kids are being told is everywhere and it 's not good. From comments of her no longer having abs of steel to simply calling her fat, much of what is being written is establishing standards that lead to eating disorders and other problems in our young people, especially girls. But don't think they are the only ones listening; so are our boys.

After watching the performance at the suggestion of my oldest son, I sat down with my three male children to see what lead to a contagious look of confusion, as the performance was, well....unusual....but never once did the thought of Britney being "fat" come into any of our thoughts.

I attribute my boys' lack of appreciation for Hollywood anorexic thin women to the Latin Culture in which they have been raised. Where beauty can be lean, or curvacious and thick . Where confident abuelas (grandmothers), tias(aunts) and my many hermanas (my two sisters--and many from my Latina Sorority Pi Lambda Chi) are confident and proud women because of who they are inside before they consume themselves fully with the outside. (That's not to say we don't care about our looks; Latinas everywhere are embracing concerns of health and nutritional needs of women, and joining forces to combat ailments that affect our community). However, food is colorful and rich, and it simply brings family and friends together . And in my culture, many dishes are so rich in flavors and taste so good, they only enhance the memories with familia and friends. Food can not alone feed the soul, but it sure is icing on the cake. When I was little, if your parents' friends said you were "gordita" it was a compliment. You weren't sickly and frail. And although no one wants to be out of shape, Latina women are well known for their confidence and pride in what they have and the tremendous beauty that runs within.

However, almost every bit of media I have seen has blasted our fallen pop princess for her weight. Whether or not we approve of her recent behavior, or pray for her to find her way, her weight should be a non-issue. Our children, boys and girls, should not be held to the standards of Hollywood. And for a women who has two toddlers, I think she looks pretty good.

Talking to our children about media presentations of "acceptable" is a great way to find out what they are thinking and how they feel. Even if they are boys! Boys are highly influenced by media and have perceptions and opinions of their own. Keeping an eye on current events in their world is a great way to know what they are thinking. Just be prepared to have a healthy discussion because our children are smarter than we think, and often more aware than we ever were. And they often know kids that have eating disorders in thier classrooms or on their teams.

It's just part of being a parent to have these discussions. It doesn't mean we have all the answers, but our children at least know we care, and we have insight as to what they are thinking.