Do you think that parents who allow their children to become obese should be charged with child abuse?

Question

By "allow" I mean:

- the parent encourages the behavior leading to obesity, i.e. buying junk food, letting the child eat whatever they want, etc

AND/OR

- the parent doesn't take action to help their child change his/her habits

Answer

I am guessing someone doesn't know what it's like to feed kids on a limited budget.

Watch 'A Place at the Table,' it's an eye opener.

Answer

I think it is abusive/negligent, but I don't think they should necessarily face charges. Unfortunately, obesity and diabetes are significantly correlated with low incomes and lack of education. I think health education and family planning through better-funded social work is a better solution. Also unfortunately, the fast food industry tends to target low income neighborhoods and consumers. Parents usually do want to do best for their children, but some may not be empowered or knowledgable on how to do so.

Answer

I live in an urban area. A lot of people Colin about families buying new junk for their kids, but they aren't aware o the context.  One family that I know lives two blocks from a corner store and over two miles from a grocery store. They do not have a car and must rely on public transportation. The corner store accepts ebt but only has limited selection of fresh and real food. It's all overly marked up processed foods. I know the mom well and she wants healthier options, but it just isn't feasible in her situation. She works two jobs and isn't able to spend the many hours it would take to hit up the grocery store.

I'm in the works right now to set up a farm box delivery to our school for families that are interested.  The county has a program that will match ebt funds spent at farmers markets. I'm hoping they'll extend it to the farm boxes.

Answer

I personally think it's child abuse to feed your child pure crap every day.

Answer

I was an obese kid and no matter how much my mom and dad made healthy choices for me as far as food I would alway sneak and get what I wanted. I would buy candy bars, chips at school, order chesse fries for lunch instead of salad or eat over my friends house who had acess to snacks. So no my parents should have not been punished for my unhealthy choices. I'm older and care a lot more about my health so I make better choices about food now.

Answer

To be honest, I think it is neglectful on the parents' part if they buy junk food for their child especially if they are overweight or obese. It does not teach them how to eat healthy and they are just perpetuating the situation. 
I've seen this first hand with my nephew. His parents and grandmother only bought him and still buy him junk food and my nephew was obese by the time he was 6. They let him eat whatever he wanted and if he wanted McDonald's every night, that's what they'd buy him. He's now 21 and is well over 300lbs! He still does not know how to eat right and probably never will. I feel bad for him because now he can't help himself and I do blame his parents. He has no social life either and sits home playing video games all day. If I were his mom, I would not allow this at all. 
And now I'm battling my MIL (nephew's grandmother) over her giving my 3 year old junk. I don't allow her to have sugary cereals, potatoes chips, etc. very often and do not want her eating fast food and my MIL gives these things to her anyway! It makes me so angry and she does not listen to me or my hubby.

Answer

This is one of the dumbest things I've ever read lol, NO.

Answer

This is a complex issue that also deals with poverty and other factors. It's not a simple yes or no.

Answer

It's much more complicated than that.

Answer

I think being educated and having the money to buy healthy foods are two different things.

Do you think that parents who allow their children to become obese should be charged with child abuse?

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