Considering that it’s summer and we’re all still somewhat enjoying ourselves before the infamous “back to school” moment arrives, today I’m writing something lighter that isn’t scientifically based but rather just my current thoughts sparked by what I observe in my seaside environment.

Summer in Croatia is passing by quite leisurely, and even though the beaches and the sea are extremely crowded, the holiday atmosphere remains relaxed. Children roam around the beach carefree, parents keep one eye on them and, unfortunately, the other on their phones, while grandparents defy medical advice and stubbornly expose themselves to the sun and heat, trying to get tanned in the midday sun.

In such situations, as I observe the daily life of families on the beach, I often draw a parallel with my own childhood from 30 years ago, and I have to tell you that the parallel can’t really be drawn. The difference is huge—we’re talking about two completely different worlds. And I’m referring to a period not so long ago, the early 1990s. Imagine what comparison our parents could make when comparing today’s world with the 1970s. But instead of getting into a nostalgic story, let’s return to what I constantly harp on about: obesity, and let’s compare the two worlds that I can judge.

My dissertation and scientific work often revolve around personal and environmental factors that influence children’s food preferences. In this regard, comparing parents “in my time” with those today, it immediately becomes clear that the personal factor in the form of genetic predispositions and the physical appearance of parents compared to their children puts those same children in an unfavorable position. Did you know that the average male in the 1960s weighed 75 kilograms, in the 1990s 80 kg, in the 2000s 90 kg, and today the number is even higher? From this perspective, today’s children face a great challenge not to follow in the footsteps of their parents, who are their primary role models.

Furthermore, if I go back to my time 30 years ago, we used to eat fruit on the beach, fresh, seasonal fruit. Yes, our fingers would get sticky from watermelon and figs, peaches, and melons, and we’d run to the sea for relief from the swarming wasps. Today? Look up and see what kids are eating. On the daily menu are doughnuts, crisps, chips, and processed ready-to-eat food—and in enormous quantities. A child cries, here’s a snack; then they’re thirsty—no problem, here’s a juice. After the juice, following the sugar bomb, the child gets water to quench their thirst. And so it goes in a loop, whether it’s because of crying, boredom, or just habit. Did you notice I didn’t mention ice cream? I didn’t because it was there in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, and yes, we ate it in large quantities back then too, but this summer treat wasn’t a problem when it was the only “sin” of the day. Today, it’s the “cherry on top” after a light evening pizza…

If we continue looking at other environmental factors, after that juicy watermelon and a rush to the sea to escape the pesky wasps, we’d keep playing in the shallow water, playing tag, swimming, and engaging in various physically active games, hide and seek, and the like. But what do kids do today? Much to my dismay, they lack imagination and are bored. Hmmm, how to solve this boredom? Ask parents to play with us? Nooooo. Try to find new friends? Nooooo. Oh, yes! Favoring a sedentary lifestyle and escaping into an imaginary world! Mom, give me the phone! Cartoons, games, and similar mind-numbing content that stifles the development of imagination, social intelligence, and motor skills is the key to today’s “fun.” But why? Because the parents of these children are doing the same or similar things…

I don’t want to be attacked by local moralists claiming that I’m against technology and society’s progress through digital systems and platforms, but from the perspective that matters to me and from which I observe children, this direction is completely wrong and demotivating.

In expressing my thoughts, I mentioned several factors that affect children, such as parents, food, physical activity, technology, etc. Each of these factors is important and relevant. And each, in its current setup, hinders the fact that the world is fighting obesity, which healthcare professionals, psychologists, marketing experts, and others are trying to reduce to some acceptable and sustainable level.

But luckily for me, summer is slowly but surely coming to an end, we’ll all put on a few layers of clothes and continue triumphantly marching in the wrong direction, eagerly awaiting the start of the new calendar year to make New Year’s resolutions about our own changes, diets, and similar whims, hoping we’ll survive the first month of temptation and try to keep going.

This cynical text of mine, which is the result of observation, reflection, and a bit of personal frustration with the new standards being imposed, which also pressure my child, is an attempt to wake you up and encourage you to think. To let you know that it’s necessary to act, and to act now. To draw your attention to the many small details that “design” the bigger picture. To inform you that the situation is alarming and that we’ve moved from the realm of jest to a zone where it is urgently necessary to act.

This text, completely different from what I usually share with you, is my summer message to all of you that it’s high time to focus on yourselves first, and then through yourselves on your children, grandchildren, and relatives, so that together we can restore nutritional balance, strengthen positive attitudes, and influence healthier food choices in as many people as possible.

I hope your summer rendezvous is still ongoing and that you’ll have a little time to think about the things written above. Of course, if any other factors or issues come to mind, feel free to reach out so we can discuss them.

And now, one, two, three, splash…