I never thought about it this way, but you’re right, the issue isn’t just weight, it’s the whole package, physical ability, confidence, coping skills, mental wellbeing. When kids don’t build those foundations young, they struggle later in life in ways we don’t always connect back to childhood. It’s painful to think we’re raising a generation with less resilience without even realizing it.
And it happens across many areas and impacts all parts of life. If we look at all of the different mental health issues at the moment, it really isn't because life is harder, it is just that we have created an environment where people are less capable.