The New Intimacy

Should Child Obesity Constitute Neglect?

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Contributor: Mwar Mwar
There are some children who have medical issues that cause weight gain, but this is a small minority compared to the rest of the population.

Should parents who let their young children become obese face repercussions? I'm not saying to take their children away, but should they be instructed on how to help their children's eating habits? Or given some form of intervention to hopefully assist their child?

My view is more of a medical standpoint. Childhood obesity can shorten a child's life 14 or more years. They can get diabetes, hardened arteries, and high blood pressure, just to name a few things. It is fairly preventable.

I also understand it's hard to cook a home meal or feed a family with healthier food, since it takes more time, energy to look for healthier choices.

Essentially, what can we do to encourage healthier weights in our children? Whether through reward or consequences?
09/10/2012
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Contributor: Sodom and Gomorrah Sodom and Gomorrah
Those parents definitely need some form of intervention. I'm sorry but they need to be taught some parenting skills or otherwise be shot. Well that's too dramatic but you know what I mean.
09/10/2012
Contributor: Bullfroggy and Rose Bullfroggy and Rose
sounds good to me but what will the punishment be
09/10/2012
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
I feel like there should be more education about child obesity. You can't always stop your child from being fat, and telling your kid to lose weight or you'll get a ticket certainly won't help their self-worth, so I think that education is the way to go.

I feel like it is important for the parents to be able to read up about child obesity, and even have a free seminar available to them before the child is born. I also feel like we should teach the children the importance of being healthy early on in school.
09/10/2012
Contributor: GONE! GONE!
I don't think it's neglect unless the parent is purposefully trying to make the kid obese. A lot of poor people don't have the money or time to buy and cook perfect, healthy meals so they're getting the food they have to just to keep their kids fed.
The only way to stop child obesity is to make healthy food easier to access and make.
09/10/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
I agree with Ryuson - more education would go a long way. More education for parents and kids, and better food choices available in schools and in grocery stores. Healthier, more nutritious food that is still affordable would probably help too. I love how Gold Lion stated it: The only way to stop child obesity is to make healthy food easier to access and make. I agree 100%.

I personally do not believe this is something that should be mandated by the government, but I do think more education and food options would go a long, long way.

And in the end, we're all responsible for our choices - whether they harm us or help us.
09/10/2012
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
I agree with those who are saying there does need to be some sort of intervention and an education program in place for this. Think about it-- if a child was flagged as being malnourished, somebody would step in. Why not do the same if the scales tip the other way then?

Eating 100% healthy foods for every meal *is* expensive, but there is still a lot that a parent can provide that costs the same or less than what most kids are eating now. Especially when it comes to replacing snacks and soda pops with better things. I know, because I worried about this constantly when we were raising kids on a pathetically small grocery budget, yet we managed to keep them healthy and fit. Teaching them to eat reasonable portions can go a long way too (for parents and kids both).

~M
09/10/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
The only way to stop child obesity is to make healthy food easier to access and make.

Mostly this. Junk food is way too cheap and easy. My son's school just started serving food that I'm okay with. Before it was pizza almost every day. Eek.

I think education being out there would help some, but lots of people won't go to classes unless they have to. So at some point, if a child is getting very obese, these types of classes should be required.
09/10/2012
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
Quote:
Originally posted by Alan & Michele
I agree with those who are saying there does need to be some sort of intervention and an education program in place for this. Think about it-- if a child was flagged as being malnourished, somebody would step in. Why not do the same if the scales tip ... more
Think about it-- if a child was flagged as being malnourished, somebody would step in.

This is VERY true. My son had problems gaining weight when he was under 1. He ate and ate but stayed tiny. He dropped below whatever percentile was "okay" and they sent me off to a GI doctor to look at him. They put him on PediaSure. (Which I was never fond of because it's, like, 90% sugar...) They had me come in more often to weigh him and check his progress on gaining weight. Even though I hated all the sugar, he did get some weight on him finally.

So yes, if a child falls below a certain point doctors WILL step in.
09/10/2012
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
(EF Review Program Mentor)
Quote:
Originally posted by Mwar
There are some children who have medical issues that cause weight gain, but this is a small minority compared to the rest of the population.

Should parents who let their young children become obese face repercussions? I'm not saying to ... more
Drop the price of non processed food so it's cheaper to buy than processed crap and stop allowing indiscriminate high fructose corn syrup loading into processed food and obesity would become a luxury of the rich.
09/10/2012
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Interesting topics! YES, no matter the price of cheap yet fatty food, it's still a parents responsibility to teach their children good exercise habits as well.
09/11/2012
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
I think yes, depending on the situation. It's a bit of grey area.
09/11/2012
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by Mwar
There are some children who have medical issues that cause weight gain, but this is a small minority compared to the rest of the population.

Should parents who let their young children become obese face repercussions? I'm not saying to ... more
If you are not proposing taking the child from their parent - what would you propose to do?
09/11/2012
Contributor: Beck Beck
Quote:
Originally posted by - Kira -
Think about it-- if a child was flagged as being malnourished, somebody would step in.

This is VERY true. My son had problems gaining weight when he was under 1. He ate and ate but stayed tiny. He dropped below whatever percentile was ... more
This is similar to my thinking. If your child is under weight then the Dr's step in, so if your child is over weight, then they should step in too. However, nothing will change if the price of healthier foods never lowers. I know many people who can't afford more than noddle meals daily. For less than $1.50 a meal, you can make spaghetti or Alfredo with no meat. This is enough food to feed at least 4-6 people. I priced apples yesterday, one apple was $1.00. Seriously, the price can't even compare! All the exercise in the world isn't going to matter if you are eating food that doesn't have any nutritional value or only has minimal nutritional value. You can offer all the classes in the world, but if they don't provide healthy foods are reasonable prices, no one will be able to maintain healthy eating habits unless you are rich.
09/11/2012
Contributor: kinky girlfriend kinky girlfriend
Quote:
Originally posted by Mwar
There are some children who have medical issues that cause weight gain, but this is a small minority compared to the rest of the population.

Should parents who let their young children become obese face repercussions? I'm not saying to ... more
Well I think if the parents really wanted to not feed their kids poorly they wouldn't.

If you cut out all the junk and buy simple inexpensive healthy foods it saves money in more ways than one for example- less cold,illnesses.

Its really not hard to follow a eat clean diet.

seriously the parents should learn to cook rice meats and veggies instead of grabbing convenience food.

IF not enough time is an excuse you can cook in bulk freeze meals and pack with you.
09/11/2012