Should parents of overweight children be held legally accountable for their children's obesity?

Question

Should these families who have overweight children be referred to Child Protective Services? I think it is very sad that parents allow their children to gain excess amount of weight and I believe these parents should be held accountable for neglecting the overall health of their children.

I'm not referring to children who suffer from a metobolic disorder or any other type of health condition that interferes with weight loss...

* Correction... Metabolic... and btw I am an NP so I am fully aware of various health reasons which would produce weight gain in individuals... again, I am referring to otherwise healthy children who's parents allow them to over-eat

Answer 1

I absolutely agree. Chubby is one thing, but there is something wrong with a parent that only feeds their child junk food and plops them in front of a television, not caring if they exercise or gain weight. Those children, later in life, will have problems losing the weight, could be made fun of in school, will have trouble finding a job they can do, and could develop serious health problems, like diabetes and heart problems, that go along with being overweight (which I am sure that you know about). When I go to the store and I see a family of overweight parents and their overweight children in tow, I'm disgusted that they let it come to that. If you start early with eating right, then the child will continue to eat right and exercise. I'm not talking about a strict regime for a 5 year old, but healthy food with healthy sweet snacks (such as fruit cups), followed by an outdoor activity or a playdate at the park, will greatly improve the health of a child. I understand about some people being overweight because of a health condition, as my best friend was that way for quite some time, but the lazt parents hsould definately be reported to CPS. I consider that abuse just the same, but the affects show up differently than physical abuse. These children are in for an emotional rollercoaster ride for the rest of their lives because of their parents.

Answer 2

You know, that is a toughy really.
Parents with overweight children are usually over weight themselves.So if they are unable to maintain their own health issues then they will most likely be unable to maintain their child's.
Most doctors are lenient with this issue because some children start out as little piggys and then begin to loose weight as they get older and drop the baby fat.

I personally think that a doctor should recommend that the parents of and obese child a diet plan or suggest the child be put on one(educate them so the entire family can changeand recommend a dietiction or therophist).And then if the doc sees no results after a certain amount of time and has ruled out all other possible causes except bad eating habits and can show the parents are not doing as told..........then the parents should be reported.Allowing CPS to step in and give the parents a guild line to follow and if they are not met, yes remove the child.Until the parents can take control of their lives and eating habits.
But, obesity is a very hard thing, it is hereditary 9 times out of 10 and you can't just punish someone for having bad genes and then carring them into their child.

I'am a child of obese parents.Almost everyone in my family is overweight...except for me.The genes are there and in me...but, i maintained my weight on my own...wasn't hard, i was an odd child and hated sugary foods and such.
but, I was taught very bad eating habits.My sister has battled her weight almost her entire life and is now finally taking control of her eating habits and that of her families as well.GOOD JOB SIS!
*excuse the bad spelling,spell check wouldn't work)

Answer 3

Well it depends. Genetics play a factor with weight as much as what a child eats. My cousin was always overweight, but her mother made her eat very nutricious food, but we have a lot of overweight people in our family. Now when you are talking in terms of children who have heart desease and high blood pressure and they may even be diabetics, and their parents continue to allow them to eat bad food and to much food, then yes, they should be held accountable, but most children who are overweight do not necessarily have all the health problems that go along with it. So for me it would depend on the circumstances.

Answer 4

Well, I can kind of agree,but you can't just step into someones home and say....get your family on a diet or face legal consequences or possibly lose your parental rights.That's stepping way past someones freedom of rights...invasion would be more like it.Or over stepping boundries.

I mean, I used to feel the same way until my husband went on a diet and then i realized how hard it was.Its a mental thing that requires help from a professional for one thing.And also, companies prey on this sort of thing.It really costs money to lose weight.It is also hard to get educated on how to lose weight,no one is going to offer real information about a diet w/o wanting to charge you money.
And diet foods cost way more than junk food.So if you are on a low income, have poor medical insurance,but make too much for medical assistance...then you are stuck in the middle in an almost helpless situation.And stuck eating cheap,inexpensive food that is bad for you.(which is cheaper,box of mac n cheese..or a lean cuisine?)
Doctors know this and if your insurance wont pay for certain things like counseling, dietitians or things of that sort...then your doctor isn't going to offer much of an idea on where to get you started.
Over weight people battle this on a daily basis and it would be unfair to just step in and try to control their lives in that way.
What we need is better education on this dilemma and better funding for people who need and wont the help..not criticism.
Obesity is usually a hereditary thing,so it's as if being condemed from the start.

Answer 5

Yes..of course they are accountable. They buy the junk and let the child eat it. It's neglect pure and simple. A caring parent would not allow this to happen. Something is seriously wrong with parents like this.

Answer 6

I beleive that the parents play an active role in their lives and that they should monitor what things there children eat. I dont beleive they need reported but they need talked to about it. somethings you can do is not always eating out or ordering pizza every night. And shopping for grocery not getting all that junk food. If the parent is bigger some kids feel the need to eat like mommy or daddy. I know i have cousins who have done that

Answer 7

I don't think so because if we allowed that, then some school districts could also be held legally accountable for a child's obesity. Additionally, I see some kids who are extremely skinny...should we also hold their parents accountable?

Answer 8

I think people intrude enough in other people's lives. Let people raise their children how they see fit. Why is it your place to tell others that they are not doing a good job? And why put the people who honestly have medical reason through that either. Because you know they are going to have to prove their case too.
I say, keep your nose out!

Answer 9

Suck this in. Consciously hold in and contract your stomach muscles while you’re walking, sitting at your desk or making the an evening meal. This will help to strengthen your abdominal muscles and your core, and provide one step closer to some sort of flatter stomach.

Answer 10

Eat goats cheese rather then regular cheese. It contains 40 per cent fewer calories than the cheese constructed from cow’s milk.