 Anna’s Choice
By Catherine Carter
Catherine Carter wrote Anna's Choice to encourage and inspire children, especially young girls to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Her message is that children do have a choice in keeping healthy and active. Her own experience as an overweight child, (at one point she weighed 200 pounds) has led her crusade against childhood obesity.
She is a young woman of many talents. Currently she is a pre-med major in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi. She has recorded a CD of inspirational music. In 2003 she was Hinds County's Junior Miss, was a top ten finalist in Mississippi's Junior Miss and received the Top Scholastic Achievement Award. She was also a Mississippi Presidential Scholar. In 2005, as the reigning Miss West Central Mississippi she placed in the Top 10 of the Miss Mississippi Pageant and tied for the Talent Award. In February of 2006 she was chosen as a USA Today, 2006 All USA College Academic Third Team winner.
In addition to writing Anna's Choice, she has developed a website and pamphlet on the issue of Childhood Obesity and speaks publicly on the issue. She has raised over $13,000 for the Catherine Carter Prevent Obesity Fund. She has dedicated 50% of the profits from the sale of Anna's Choice to the Kids Care Clubs Eat Wise Exercise!™ project and to date she has donated $3,500 to Kids Care Clubs Eat Wise - Exercise!™ project.
- How did your own childhood experience inspire you to write Anna’s Choice?
I will confess that I didn’t realize how much of me there is in Anna until after I had finished the book and had let it sit for a while. I remember I was walking one afternoon with my dad, and he started asking me questions about Anna and why certain things happened to her in the story—and I realized that most of Anna’s experiences are drawn directly from my own life. So I guess you could say that I very nearly put down my own childhood on paper, in a short story format. Being overweight was something that affected me much more than I realized at the time, or perhaps more than I cared to admit to myself. I was blessed to be surrounded by encouraging friends and family who never let me feel as if I were “not good enough” in any way; however, the low self-esteem that resulted from having a negative view of my body for so long certainly took a toll on me, in a way that continues even today. Writing Anna’s Choice was a way for me to communicate to children who have this problem that it will be ok--you aren’t alone, and we can beat this thing if we help each other!
- In addition to health problems, what are some of the other issues that overweight and obese children face?
Certainly low self-esteem is at the top of the list. Right behind that is the teasing that many children face from their peers, and as a result the isolation they may feel.
- In the book, classmates ridicule Anna. What advice do you give children who are being made fun of because they are overweight?
First of all, I tell them to remember that the way they look does not define who they are. Each child is SO very valuable and precious—it is our job, as adults, to make sure they know this. Unfortunately, the truth is that people, especially children, can be hurtful. Usually a bully teases other children because he or she is insecure. I do my best to tell children that everyone has some type of problem, and that some people choose to deal with that by teasing others. I encourage them to fight back not with teasing, but with kindness. On a positive note, discussing this problem can open the door to encourage the child to begin dealing with the weight problem, as long as the adult conveys that the bully’s comments have no merit in and of themselves.
- Anna does not go on a diet, but she changes her life style by eating wise – more fruit and vegetables - less junk food and exercising on a regular basis. Her family also changes their eating habits. How important is it to have your family eating the right foods for a child to change their eating habits?
It is essential.
- Did you have a friend, like Emily who believed in you and encouraged you throughout your struggle with weight?
I laughed when I read this question, because there is a real Emily! She even has red hair like the character in the book. Emily has been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and has been an amazing example of encouragement and true friendship my whole life. She did, in fact, help me as I struggled with weight, and continues to encourage me today. She is a perfect example of how important it is to surround yourself with relationships that are mutually encouraging and uplifting. This is one reason why I want to raise awareness about childhood obesity—the more people are aware of the problem and its effects, the more they can have positive influences on the children in their lives and on each other as well.
- The title of the book is Anna’s Choice. With the help of her friend and the support of her family, Anna chose to eat nutritious food. How do you empower children to choose healthy foods when they are surrounded by unhealthy choices, i.e., fast food, school lunches, or a lack of fruit and vegetables in their own homes?
Education, education, education! If we make things available to kids in the form of knowledge, and in such a way that they want to make healthier choices, then we have begun to attain the goal. Hopefully they will take initiative at that point and begin to ask for healthier foods. Perhaps they might be an impetus for their parents to make healthy changes for the whole family.
- How long did it take you to get to a weight that was healthy for you? As you get older, is it easier to maintain a healthy weight or is it still a struggle?
It took me about two years to reach a healthy weight. I wish I could say that it has been a piece of cake (no pun intended!) to keep the weight off…but I would be lying. It is a choice that I make every single day. I can choose to eat healthy foods, and to exercise regularly, or I can choose not to do those things. Some days are better than others. But I can most definitely say that the more time passes, the easier it is to make the right choices! I truly enjoy exercising, and I truly enjoy eating foods that are good for my body! I am tempted by desserts and “comfort foods” all the time, but I’m slowly learning how to enjoy those things in moderation. It’s not about strict rules or deprivation—it’s about enjoying life and letting food be one part of that—not an obsession.
- Would you say that your choice to eat healthy and keep physically active has changed your life? Do you think you would have attained your goals in spite of being overweight?
It has absolutely changed my life! First of all, my health has changed—because I discontinued my former pattern of eating unhealthily, I very likely added years to my life! And besides that long term focus (which I think is important), the quality of my life in the here and now has improved as well. My confidence is greater in every area. As for attaining my goals—yes, I think I would set goals and obtained them regardless—but they would have been different goals from the ones I have now!
- How do you plan to continue your work to educate children and their families that they can choose a lifestyle that is healthy?
By spreading the message of awareness as far and wide as I can! Anna’s Choice is one way, raising money to back initiatives is another. Continuing in my partnership with Kids Care Clubs, and also with the American Heart Association, is also important as well. I would love to approach another venue in the future, perhaps something like an educational or promotional video. I guess I’ll just wait and see what’s in store!
This interview was conducted by email in January 2006.
Maureen Byrne
|
