Is it rude to tell people their kids are fat?

Question

What's going on here? Do the parents care about health or do they just don't know? Is it in the child's interest for you to point it out? Please don't say mind your own business cause I'm just trying to be helpful.

Answer 1

yes it is rude

Answer 2

Yes, it's rude. Every family has it's problems. There could be a lot of underlying issues, none of which they need to share with others. Unfortunately, being overweight is easily seen by people that aren't close to the family.

Would you tell a parent of a child in a wheelchair: "Your child should walk. Sitting so long might give them a blood clot" or some other stupid line?

Answer 3

Yes, it is rude to point out to parents that their children are fat, unless you happen to be a health care provider of some sort seeing to their welfare. With the current "war" on childhood obesity, I worry more about the few twiggy thin children I see about, especially if I see them in a dining situation and see their parents severely limiting their intake of food. If a health care provider hasn't pointed out a problem, it's definitely not the responsibility of the general public.

Answer 4

there is a fine line between helpful and rude.

If the parent asks you, then it's okay to be RESPECTFULLY honest.

If they don't ask for your opinion, there is no need to give it.

I teach my students to follow this rule before they speak up: Ask youself these three questions: 1. Is it true? 2. Is it kind? 3. Is it necessary? If you cannot say yes to all three of those questions, then keep your mouth shut.

If you tell someone their kid is fat, it may be true but it certainly is not kind or necessary.

Sorry, but ....butt out. It really is NOT your business or your PLACE to say anything unless you are asked.

Answer 5

It depends... If fat kid is a relative of yours you might want to tell his parents to make him lay off the twinkies. If he's a total stranger, the parent might just smack your face if you make any remarks about their child. Why don't you just worry about your own health and eating habits? You're probably 900 pounds I bet!!!

Answer 6

Yes it's rude. They already know it. The child's pediatrician should be discussing this with the parents.

Answer 7

I'd be a bit more tactful about the question but if it's truly concern for the childs health then I'd say no it's not rude.

Answer 8

This question tells me you have no children of your own. No matter what the reason never say anything negative to a parent about their children.

Answer 9

It may be rude to say fat, but you should be able to make an observation.
Parent's will take offense to anything negative about their kids, mostly because they feel responsible.
My sister freaks out if I say her kid's ears stick out, what can she not see that they do.
My son looks like a monkey, I can admit that. Of course he's a cute little monkey.

Answer 10

you need to mind your own business, because you are not being helpful. you don't think parents know their kids are fat? they look at them everyday. would you go up to overweight people and tell them they're fat? i would hope not.

it is not helpful, it is RUDE. would you like it if people pointed out your flaws because they thought it to be helpful?

Answer 11

Not if you do it in a nice way. Use the backhanded compliment method.....

Example: You are talking to a doting mother with a portly child in tow. You comment about how cute the child is and how proud she must be. Then you say, "I do so love chubby children! How do you do it? My kids are rather thin - how do you get him to eat so much?"