Should We Be Shaming Obese Children More?

Question

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/in_the_know_should_we_be_shaming

Answer 1

OMGOODNESS!!!! I thought this was serious when I read the question.
You HAVE to watch this "news" program he linked to !!

This is shocking behavior!!!
I take it the above answerers did not take the time to watch the clip, huh???!!!

Answer 2

I can't access the link, but since it's the onion I'll assume that it's a tongue-in-cheek commentary.

But taking the question seriously, it's a horrific idea. In fact, obese children (and adults) are already shamed plenty enough, in the media, by medical professionals (who should know better), and by their peers. It doesn't work, nor should it. Fat is not an illness, it's not harmful in the majority of cases, and it's not something that most people can control. Please read The Obesity Myth or one of the many other books that look at the scientific evidence. And then go take a look at http://www.bigfatblog.com/.

Answer 3

I don't think that shaming anyone is beneficial. However, I think the parents of obese children need to have support and education on health and nutrition. Some parents are just as much to blame for their chidlren's bad eatting habits as the children themselves.

Tough question!

Answer 4

One important thing to remember: SHAME NEVER PROMOTES CHANGE!

No matter how you do it, where you do it, when you do it. Shame makes you feel bad and when you have negative feelings about yourself you have an unhealthy view of yourself...positive thinking promotes a healthy change!

And I think if parents would just say NO to their kids and be proper parents and moniter what their kids eat, we wouldn't have such a big issue about this. The most important thing is: children learn from example. If you want your kids to eat right and exercise, then the parent should set the example and do it first.

Answer 5

I think they are put to shame enough already. It is not the children's fault that their parents let them graze all day long or feed them fast food for lunch everyday. Parents should be more involved but not by shaming them, by being parents. I also think that just like if a child is too underweight parents are held accountable, it should be the same as if they are too overweight. Both are equally as dangerous.

Answer 6

No! No one should ever be critical of a child's physical appearance. If anything, the parents are the ones to blame as they are the ones who buy, prepare and present the food to the child. Obesity seems to be one of the very few things that people feel they can openly hurt people over and "it is for their own good" Ignorance and lack of compassion are always wrong.

Answer 7

Are you serious? Hell no! It's not the kids fault for being the way they are! It's the parents fault for letting them get that way, and possibly genetics. Those kids need to be taught a healthy lifestyle, not be ridiculed for what they can't help. That'd be like making fun of a blind kid or someone in a wheel chair. It's not right, it's not fair, and should NOT be done.

Answer 8

That's clearly not a good idea. Giving them more self-esteem issures would not fix the problem. You're grown... shame on you for not knowing that! We should be working with parents to implement a better diet for our kids

Answer 9

Shame the children?? No! I think adults should provide positive role models...stressing exercise and healthy eating.

Answer 10

what pig would actually want to taunt childrenabout being fat?
genetics could be blame. parents could be blamed on either 2 conditions 1 ) spoiling the child giving them all the junk they want to eat or 2) a psychological problem, maybe they were fat when they were younger and the starved to loose wait and they dont want to live throught that nightmare of abstaining from the food.

Answer 11

Are we talking about your child or children? From the looks of your picture you look obese. So how about setting an example by loosing weight! It is easy to preach or talk about the problem, it's another thing to do something about it!
GOOD LUCK!