Take obese children from neglectful parents

[Labarum]

Fat children ‘should be taken from parents’ to curb obesity epidemic - Times Online

[IrishMom82]

Re: Take obese children from neglectful parents

This is a very contraversial topic in my opinion...... I disagree with that article for many reasons. I don't have time to go into it cause I need to get ready for the news but I disagree a lot! It sickens me when government tries to get in and tell people how to raise their children. Starving your child and feeding your child too much are two completely different situations. You cannot compare the two. Ugh.

[Labarum]

Re: Take obese children from neglectful parents

From the BBC

BBC NEWS | UK | Council warning on child obesity

And another UK paper

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fattest-children-to-be-taken-away-from-their-parents-898972.html

[Labarum]

Re: Take obese children from neglectful parents

This seems to be the Government source document

Town halls warn that Britain is becoming the 'obesity capital of the world'

[LaceyLooWho]

Re: Take obese children from neglectful parents

Oh boy... where to even start on this one. I think this is an extremely dangerous precedent. I am a mother of two. My son is 8 and extremely thin and my daughter is 7 and is chubby. I feed them exactly the same things and have 2 extremely different kids. There are so many factors to consider in why a child is overweight and it isnt always the parents fault.

That being said, I have seen some trashy talk shows here in the states have horrible mothers on and talking about how their 100 pound 2 year old just needed a half a rack of ribs and 2 pounds of fries and gets them something to eat every time the child asks for it. That in my opinion IS abuse and should be treated accordingly. However, the majority of parents of overweight kids are just as worried about the health consequences as the govt and try everyday to feed their children a healthy diet and get them excercise. My kids and I walk everyday together and they get the same low carb foods that I eat plus fruit, milk and whole grains but I dont allow junk food at all. So just because I have a fat kid, I am an abuser? Ridiculous! How does the govt plan on determining who is abusive? What about the psychological issues the children will have from being taken from their parents? Thats sure to cost the govt millions of dollars or pounds in the future.

Maybe the powers that be should rethink things like loss of gym classes at school and cutbacks on organized sports. I am only 30 and when I was in grade school we had physical education class every single school day, my kids only got one day a week last year. We played outside all day and my parents werent worried about me being abducted... I think some parents feel that it is safer for their kids to stay in the house and watch tv or play video games or computer games and have created an environment of fear that is really unfounded. Abductions are no more common than they were 20 years ago but the level of media coverage sure does make parents paranoid. Education on this subject is much more useful and warranted than segregation of kids from their families... that idea just horrifies me!

[IrishMom82]

Re: Take obese children from neglectful parents

Holy Cow Lacey, you took the words right out of my mouth! I didn't have time to go into my opinions/beliefs on this topic last night and now I don't have to cause you said exactly what I feel!

Kudos to you as well for teaching your kids healthy habits!

[liv]

Re: Take obese children from neglectful parents

I am certainly not for children being taken from their parents. However the children in question are not overweight children or even obese children but morbidly obese children whose lifespan will be shortened because of their weight.
There must be something else that can be done. Like a summer camp for the whole family to learn some good habit, personal trainers (for food prep and activities) before doing something that will scar families like that. Sounds a little bit hysteric to me.