Should parents lose custody of super obese kids?

Rheagansmom

I think that a more positive approach to this situation is something that was mentioned earlier and that would be nutrition classes etc. It is more damaging to a child to be taken away from there parent and have to go through the trauma of that situation. By doing this you are adding another level trauma to these children.

unsuspectingfish

I do understand that there are more sales on processed foods than wholesome foods. BUT 1 apple will fill a person up much more than a sleeve of sugar-filled Oreo cookies. So 2 apples is definitely cheaper than a package of Oreos. Wholesome foods fill humans up faster and for longer. Hence in the long run, making them the same price or cheaper.

THIS.

MissAnjy

I think removing a child from the home for this reason alone could be more harmful then helpful to the child.
I think in this situation, the parents should have to undergo nutrition and fitness classes as well as a parenting course.
The child should also be given instructions on nutrition and fitness and see a child psychologist, etc.

natersmama

i just watched an episode of maury where the moms were just completely destroyed over how big their babies were. i mean 120 pound 4 year old! but it came down to the parents not being educated about what their kids needed to eat and how much. they had been giving into kids HORRIBLE tantrums for more fast food and didnt know what to do. i know the easy thing to say is everybody knows to not give your kid junk all day everyday. but when you have a picky child that wont eat anything else, its really hard to stick to. my nephew refused to eat anything other than chicken nuggets, french fries and cereal for over a year. but he was never fat. and dr said just to make sure he ate something. i dont think it should be treated as child abuse. but i do think education and follow ups should be placed.

lcoulter23

I was an overweight child, but it was not because of what my mom made and served, because she home made everything and made sure we had all of our fruits and vegetables. We were poor (even though I didn't know it) and never had fast food unless it was a special occasion. we would go out to dinner once a year on Halloween. As a kid I was ALWAYS outside running around the neighborhood and swimming. My day in the summer was get up, put on swimsuit, eat a banana or nectarine, swim until lunch, put on new swimsuit, eat lunch, get back in pool, get out put new swimsuit on, eat dinner get back into pool until almost dark, walk down to store get a snack (usually 5 little penny tootsie rolls) walk home, read a little bit, go to bed. We were so poor that we went without tv for 2 years because it was broken and couldn't afford to get it fixed. We read and played games in the winter and played outside all day in the summer.

My son is 7 years old, 46 3/4 inches tall and 63 pounds. He has lost 2 pounds since I changed the way we eat, but he is pure muscle. He plays a lot of video games, but he acts them out while he is playing them. He has autism and so he gets stuck on things for a while but I know soon he will go back to playing with his regular toys. He runs around the house like a madman too. the doctor is not concerned about my son's weight, he is more concerned about his speech and the fact that my son is having a difficult time with potty training.

mgmlap

The big issue is these people who are on a lower income..or for that matter on welfare. When you can go to McDonalds..and feed your 3 kids off the dollar menut..for about $10..where can you do that in a grocery store..where veggies are quite expensive..

lcoulter23

I am actually on food stamps and was on "welfare" for a couple of months but still managed to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that were ON SALE. Fast food is expensive and so is restaurant eating. I don't understand how people on welfare eat that food every day when they can buy healthier food in the store for cheaper! a loaf of bread and some lunch meat or peanut butter and jelly is 4 dollars and some change if you buy store brand, a box of low glycemic pasta and some spaghetti sauce (low sodium ragu) is 4 dollars and some change, add a pound of ground round it comes to 7.29. frozen veggies are a buck, make some hamburger patties with the hamburger, a thing of hamburger buns is a buck, 50 cents if you find them on quick sale. I find great deals all the time and I have 80 dollars a week to work with. we get 82 a month in food stamps, the rest comes out of our bank account. Finding cheap healthy meal choices are not hard. I have been doing it for over a year.

lclarkjr

I really don't think losing custody of the kids is the answer here. I mean I am sure parents don't want their kids to be obese and aren't trying to make them that way. Not feeding your kids is an intentional form of abuse, but overfeeding them usually isn't intentional. But counseling the parents and family on nutrition and exercise would certainly help them make better decisions and help stop the obesity cycle.

I was obese growing up, but I know my family certainly loved me and weren't trying to make me that way. What I needed was a healthy role model as a kid to really teach me about portion sizes and exercise. As an adult I've become my own healthy role model and will set an example for my own kids.

JoChubs

CHILD ABUSE!

JoChubs

A former colleague once invited me to a church event with her family. I was seated at a table with her 2 yr. old daughter and the rest of the family. I was speechless when the child's plate of food arrived and was placed in front of her by her mother.

The 2 yr. old was served: 3 fried whole chicken wings, about 1 cup of mac & cheese and nearly 3 cups of spagetti! NO KIDDING!! I was in total shock because I didn't know a child this age was capable of eating so much and I was horrified that the mother would dare to put such unhealthy portions on her child's plate.

The child ate half of one wing and a couple spoons of mac and cheese, then she proceeded to move away from the dinner table.

At that moment, you would have thought a fire drill sounded because several members of the family haulted her, even sent for the mother to return from the kitchen and aide with making sure the child remained at the table to finish what was on her plate. The mother came to her child, sat next to her and insisted that she eat all her food.

After awhile, I couldn't watch anymore; I had to leave.

This 2 yr. old weighed so much, I was sure I could not lift her even though I weighed 170 lbs.

Yes indeed! That is child abuse.

wow, what an experience, that is just HORRIBLE!! I agree it is def CHILD ABUSE!

joehempel

The consensu for the most part seems to be education....I agree. But uf tht fails, the kids will be in deadly situaations, and if the parents can't do anything, even when educated, I believe thats child abuse. Taking the kids out of the environment would be the answer. Now is it better for all invilved? I dont know. Id rather be alive than in a household that was killing me.

StefD78

Taking away is extreme IMO. Intervention is more appropriate. Parents do need to be responsible though since kids aren't buying the food. They are only eating what's available to them.

I agree! I think there needs to be some form of intervention and/or counseling before that even becomes an option. Maybe the parents just arent educated about a healthy diet for kids. Taking kids out of the home seems a bit much.

mmtiernan

All emotion aside, would the threat of removing children be EFFECTIVE? I don't believe it will bring about the change, which is the desired result. If we rely on the adults to seek out the education, that probably isn't going to resolve the issue either because (with the exception of the folks on this web site), most folks just go on with what they are currently doing and won't/don't/can/t take the time to educate themselves on portion sizes, nutrition and proper eating.

I'm beginning to think that to make an effective change, education for the next generation must be the target. Instead of spending money putting kids in protective custody, I'd rather see the money spent educating the kids in the classrooms and even on the TV. Remember the old "Schoolhouse Rock" ditties that played during Saturday morning cartoons? Couldn't effective, educational ditties be created to play in the same manner? They are memorable and would help to get the information across to kids. I also think they need to bring back home economics classes in schools - teach kids how to meal plan, budget for and buy wholesome foods and cook their own meals. Should be a required course.

It may just be too late to save the current generation - all of the information on obesity is out there every single day, yet adults ignore and don't make the change. But its not too late to educate and empower the kids.

YukonJoy

I think it should be treated like any other child abuse case.

Yes Yes Yes!!! It is totally child abuse! I understand that poverty means you are buying cheap over processed calorie high foods but when they are super obese that is just WRONG. It is ABUSE. They are not going to develop properly, they are going to be at high risk for disease and health problems for the rest of their lives, and their bones will not grow correctly...not to mention the social stigma and all the emotional trauma.

FOR SHAME!!

ritaadkins2002

i believe there are some parents who don't care but lets look at the cost here..........fruits and vegetables are highter cost then chocolate, soda, and greasy foods. Plus ....there are some peope that can't afford these items; if there was some kind of program to help families to achieve goals....i think this would help our children.

TheSarahHill

There's nothing wrong with being fat, not everyone is the same size. However, parents who let their kids eat whatever they want and they are dangerously over-weight or are too un fit to play with their friends then something needs to be done.

Not only are they putting their life at risk. They are also providing them with a very poor childhood, there are too many bullies out there and the playground is the cruelist place in the world. They need to have some consideration and stop giving in to children and giving them what they want, it's the lazy option and they are not learning the respect that they need!

People do NOT need educating about letting their kids get dangerously overweight, it is just laziness. It's not a lack of knowledge it is purely choice! Well if people are that lazy then maybe they should have kept their legs shut to begin with because it's disgusting and it should be dealt as child abuse in those cases, they are un-fit to be responsible for somebody elses life!

JMCade

No I do not. No one is a perfect parent. And who is to say that the parent tries to suggest healthier foods and the kid sneaks junk anyway? I try to get my kids to eat healthy, but they still want their milk and cookies in the afternoon! They are nowhwere near obese though. I just do not think it is ethical to take kids away from their parents because they are overweight. Geez, what next, you take the kids away because they don't want to exercise, or don't want a haircut, or because they drink a soda? This just sounds crazy to me!

Saruman_w

Depends on the situation, I guess. If it's some kind of medical condition or beyond the control of the parent, no, however if the parent's just stuffing their kid with garbage and overfeeding them then yes.

Anyone remember that 5 year old that was like... 200, 300 lbs? I don't remember, but she was up there. That was awhile ago.

blesliemeow

Intervention is definately needed but you can't take kids away from their parents because of "poor parenting." Both child and adult need to be educated on what is an OK diet and what isn't. What I would like to see is our SCHOOL SYSTEMS stepping in and allowing more physical education classes!! They keep cutting back on PE teachers and music teachers when in reality our kids desperately need the break from academics! Not to mention learning about physical health is (to me) just as important as math or reading! GET IT TOGETHER AMERICA!

JaydeSkye

Yes, the parents are responsible for what the child eats - period. If the parents cannot accept responsibility for the health and nutrition of their children, how can they possibly teach the child to accept responsibility for his/her actions?

That being said...

Unfortunately we live in a society that promotes unhealthy habits, otherwise we'd have more paid-time off from work, more value in the family unit and stricter regulations on food products sold to us.

We should fix the REAL issues behind everyone's weight issue and then we'd have a real solution, makes more sense than rounding up all the fat kids and putting them into foster care.

TheSarahHill

No I do not. No one is a perfect parent. And who is to say that the parent tries to suggest healthier foods and the kid sneaks junk anyway? I try to get my kids to eat healthy, but they still want their milk and cookies in the afternoon! They are nowhwere near obese though. I just do not think it is ethical to take kids away from their parents because they are overweight. Geez, what next, you take the kids away because they don't want to exercise, or don't want a haircut, or because they drink a soda? This just sounds crazy to me!

Milk and cookes on an afternoon won't make your kids obese, thats normal kind of stuff!

It's the kids that are at risk of losing their lives due to being over fed by their parents. Parents are responsible for their kids end of and they should be in an enviroment where they are safe.

Now if they are older and earn there own money, and walk places by themselves and they are sneaking things from the shop etc then obviously not because they are old enough to look after there own bodies and there is no way in hell you can make a teenager do something that they don't want to do! I remember being one myself ;-)

SiltyPigeon

Are we really suggesting that we take all the fat kids away from their families and bounce them around the already over-taxed foster care system until they are 18? Just because they're fat? All 2 million of them? I'm sure there are 2 million foster families willing to take kids who's families ABUSE them by letting them eat too much.
Or maybe we should just ship them all way to a fat camp? Yeah, lets take all 2 million fat kids in the US and ship them off to a fat camp. We can hold them hostage until they learn to diet and exercise. Then, when they meet society's current standards of health of beauty... we'll just send them back to their family to get fat again.
I bet those children will grow up to be healthy, emotionally stable citizens. With LOTS of self esteem.

unsuspectingfish

Are we really suggesting that we take all the fat kids away from their families and bounce them around the already over-taxed foster care system until they are 18? Just because they're fat? All 2 million of them? I'm sure there are 2 million foster families willing to take kids who's families ABUSE them by letting them eat too much.
Or maybe we should just ship them all way to a fat camp? Yeah, lets take all 2 million fat kids in the US and ship them off to a fat camp. We can hold them hostage until they learn to diet and exercise. Then, when they meet society's current standards of health of beauty... we'll just send them back to their family to get fat again.
I bet those children will grow up to be healthy, emotionally stable citizens. With LOTS of self esteem.

It's talking about the kids who are so obese that they're at immediate risk of dying.

MrsCupCakeBoyle

Yes.
If My Children were Obese like me it would be my fault because im feeding them and buying there food.

ivyjbres

The big issue is these people who are on a lower income..or for that matter on welfare. When you can go to McDonalds..and feed your 3 kids off the dollar menut..for about $10..where can you do that in a grocery store..where veggies are quite expensive..

I am actually on food stamps and was on "welfare" for a couple of months but still managed to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that were ON SALE. Fast food is expensive and so is restaurant eating. I don't understand how people on welfare eat that food every day when they can buy healthier food in the store for cheaper! a loaf of bread and some lunch meat or peanut butter and jelly is 4 dollars and some change if you buy store brand, a box of low glycemic pasta and some spaghetti sauce (low sodium ragu) is 4 dollars and some change, add a pound of ground round it comes to 7.29. frozen veggies are a buck, make some hamburger patties with the hamburger, a thing of hamburger buns is a buck, 50 cents if you find them on quick sale. I find great deals all the time and I have 80 dollars a week to work with. we get 82 a month in food stamps, the rest comes out of our bank account. Finding cheap healthy meal choices are not hard. I have been doing it for over a year.

Its really about perception. I see this all the time at work (a certain fast food chain without a value menu). The sandwiches we have that are identical to other chains are priced equally, or even lower than our competitors, but over and over, customers keep saying how expensive we are. Its because they can't see anything for a dollar. Even if you don't buy the dollar items, the fact that they're available gives you the idea that this place is more affordable than eating somewhere else. It feels cheaper to buy $10 worth of food at a time, regardless of what it is, or the frequency at which you spend $10. Even though eating out 5 times might equal your weekly food budget, it feels like you've spent less. It feels like you could make $1 dollar purchases forever doesn't it? Your check is $600 every two weeks or whatever, and you think, well I only spent a few dollars, I can afford one more. The increments are perceived as so small that you don't see them add up, and then you wonder where all the money went and why you can't make ends meet.

femmerides

A former colleague once invited me to a church event with her family. I was seated at a table with her 2 yr. old daughter and the rest of the family. I was speechless when the child's plate of food arrived and was placed in front of her by her mother.

The 2 yr. old was served: 3 fried whole chicken wings, about 1 cup of mac & cheese and nearly 3 cups of spagetti! NO KIDDING!! I was in total shock because I didn't know a child this age was capable of eating so much and I was horrified that the mother would dare to put such unhealthy portions on her child's plate.

The child ate half of one wing and a couple spoons of mac and cheese, then she proceeded to move away from the dinner table.

At that moment, you would have thought a fire drill sounded because several members of the family haulted her, even sent for the mother to return from the kitchen and aide with making sure the child remained at the table to finish what was on her plate. The mother came to her child, sat next to her and insisted that she eat all her food.

After awhile, I couldn't watch anymore; I had to leave.

This 2 yr. old weighed so much, I was sure I could not lift her even though I weighed 170 lbs.

Yes indeed! That is child abuse.

that is soooo sad...that poor kid. she didn't even have a chance...

Ashley_Panda

No my mom shouldn't have lost custody of me. She had me on diets since I was two. I was still obese. My son is underweight, someone want to come take him?

sweetdianachka

I dont really have an opinion on the matter, but I do think its funny that while reading the article from that site there is a HUGE advertisement for all you can eat shrimp and steak, its practically embedded in entire article.

oh irony

JMCade

Another thought on this whole topic- the poor little Anthony girl was murdered and her mom got off scott free. But now it's being debated that obese kids be taken away from their parents. WTH is wrong with this picture????????????????