Child obesity 'a form of neglect'

[Style]

You have a very valid point. We have to keep in mind that children are just that, children. And sometimes genetic indicators play a huge factor in the way we are built. We give it credence when it comes to cancer or heart disease...we should also consider it here. I think neglect is an extreme term. Most of us do things that are dangerous at some point. Speeding, participating in hobbies such as white water rafting...(I'm experienced and still almost drown a few weeks ago). Technically, if we want to be so specific, taking any chance that could leave our kids orphans could be neglect. I don't think labels will solve anything. More education and less giving the reins of control over to children who aren't ready to make decisions about their well being would probably be a better step.

And if this fails, hot branding irons and a large pair of scissors!!

 

[Ferret]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6749037.stm

British pediatricians are saying that allowing a child to become obese is a kind of neglect. Anyone agree, or are people just getting fatter across the board and it's no big deal if kids follow in their lardy parents' footsteps?

Personally, I agree. It's neglect and neglectful parents should be sterilized to prevent them from doing any more harm to future children (either by making them obese or thru any other kind of neglect/abuse). It's the only sensible option.

Sarcasm noted,

Yeah, extreme cases of over feeding seem like neglect, but through ignorance more than malice. But when someone comes on to a chat/therapy show and says their 2 year old 'likes their two pizza dinner' something is wrong.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

While eating habits *have* gotten out of hand lately, not all child obesity is a result of neglect.

I don't think anyone's denying that, but when the vegetable the majority of children over 6 months old eat most of the time is a McDonald's french fry, I don't think we should mistake the atypical cases for what's going on the majority of the time.

Children under 10 who eat fast food three meals a day are not suffering from bad genes, they're suffering from bad parents. The problem with the majority of obese kids is who's raising them, not some unfortunate quirk of genetics.

 

[Aurora]

There are all kinds of reasons why kids can get fat. Parents should set a good example. Of course, some factors are beyond ones control. I knew a lady that literally her 12 yr old son and 8 yr old daughter lived on soda, pork rinds and hamburgers. She, of course, was on disability at 35 because she was so freaking fat and had so many medical problems that stemmed from it, and her kids were already on their way. The 12 yr old boy had to have been over 250 pounds at maybe 5'5". For a 12 yr old, that is ridiculous. In her case, I consider it neglect, abuse, whatever you want to call it.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Children under 10 who eat fast food three meals a day are not suffering from bad genes, they're suffering from bad parents. The problem with the majority of obese kids is who's raising them, not some unfortunate quirk of genetics.

Actually, I think what you mean to say is that the main problem for those kids is the diet their parents are feeding them/letting them eat (and, of course, letting them veg out in front of computers, TV, and game consoles instead of making them play outside)- the quirks of genetics etc. only come into play as an aggravating factor in the obesity.

Some kids can eat utter garbage and lounge about but still remain relatively fit- again, genetics- but others' bodies get that processed food and just go nuts, saving up the bulk of the calories as fat (esp. since the kid isn't exercising) as if the kid were a squirrel in October.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Actually, I think what you mean to say is that the main problem for those kids is the diet their parents are feeding them/letting them eat (and, of course, letting them veg out in front of computers, TV, and game consoles instead of making them play outside)- the quirks of genetics etc. only come into play as an aggravating factor in the obesity.

Yes, but that's a less smartass way of saying it, which goes against my very nature!

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Is it really your nature, or is it nurture?