Should parents of a morbidly obese child be charged with neglect?

[_Just_A_girl_]

[Goldie757]

Yes. In my country under legislation neglect is classed as "a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or failure to respond to, a child's basic emotional needs."

In my country there was a case where a couple were charged with child neglect, there 11 year old son was 210lbs.

Child will not become obese unless they have an obscure medical condition. The genetic excuse for obesity is considered a myth. A research team from the Medical Research Council’s Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge sought to understand if there was any truth behind genetic susceptibility. After experts reviewed the DNA of more than 20,000 men and women and focused in on certain genes known to raise the risk of obesity, they found that simple physical activity, such as walking the dog and gardening “dramatically” reduced the impact of their genes.

Obesity puts children at serious health risks, with increased likelihood of a high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, certain cancers, and mental and emotional tolls such as social and psychological problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Children are especially susceptible to stigmatisations, bullying, and poor self-esteem.

[BellePepper]

Yes let's just put all the families living on food stamps in jail for not being able to afford better food. Great idea. So productive.

[wankiam]

but fresh veg is better than mucky d. its about education

[_Just_A_girl_]

No need for sarcasm. You sound angry. It's simply a question.

[_Just_A_girl_]

@wankiam Agreed.

[BellePepper]

@wankiam Are you going to pay for that?

[BellePepper]

Come on OP. Why would I be annoyed at you for not thinking? You're into corporal punishment so why don't we put all the people who don't think abou the consequences of their actions in jail. That sounds like a good idea right?

[wankiam]

cheaper than the cost to the nhs

[BellePepper]

@wankiam *eyeroll*

[wankiam]

oh yes... you dont have the nhs do you? my mistake

[SomeGuy37]

So if you think that makes sense, why not punish the parents of the Down's Syndrome Child? I mean, it is their genes, and they are responsible, right?
Has anyone ever stopped to think about this, realistically?
Being FAT, or "Obese" is a SURVIVAL FACTOR!!! You are 'Calorie RICH' and more likely to survive the famines, and shortages of food, during evolution!!
Chris Rock said something in one of his stand ups, about the staving people, in Africa, or anywhere, really!!
He said, something about surviving, and if you know some fat guy, you need to be his best friend, because that guy knows how to get food!!
It was all about survival, and we still have that active gene!! We have more than enough food, so we 'hoard' calories, because of the past, because of evolution!
If a meteor strikes, and society is gone, I'm going to find the fat guy, because he knows where to get the food!!!
Stop hating on the 'Calorie Rich'!!! and figure out how they do it, in case you need to know, some day. . .

[madhatters4]

there's a big difference between being healthy and being unhealthy and overweight. i see your point but morbid obesity isn't simply being overweight, fat or obese.

[_Just_A_girl_]

I wouldn't compare Down Syndrome to Morbid Obesity. Chris Rock is a comedian. You probably should follow the fat guy if it came down to there being absolutely no healthier options out there. For now, I think if people are properly educated about food , learn how to budget we should all be 'on the right track'.

[Soulsky]

What a copout , calorie rich survival stuff hahaha this guy must be joking! The fat guy wouldn't have a clue where to find food if supermarkets seased to exist. Hell, he'll probably die of additives, enhancers, sugar withdrawals lol If you go to other countries where people feast on healthy non additive food, you might see a little bit chubby people but never ever have I seen a person as big as a car, barely able to walk, their arm bigger than my leg (and I got thick legs) in their late 20s, until I moved to Australia. I was in shock. Then 10 years later, I put on so much weight myself. Think about that. Mind you, I lost it now, changing my lifestyle/nutrition completely, getting rid of high blood pressure, bad back/hip etc.. Feel and look so much better. Sleep better too. So no it doesn't help us survive, it is killing us, duh.

[madhatters4]

if it is proven that the child is morbidly obese as a direct result of the parenting then perhaps

the problem then becomes you open up the doors to parents being prosecuted for any issue involving the child (bullying, fighting, poor performance in school, etc)

[posted]

No, they should be told fat is booty-ful lol.
Eh I don't think the kind of staffing required for charging parents of every morbidly obese child would be feasible, on the other hand it might help with unemployment haha.

Some parents try and their kids still get fat, also a big part is genetics/metabolism. I can eat more than some fatter people I've worked with and still not gain anything. Though in most cases it can be combated with diet/exercise..

[matheus_mb]

I don't think so. Obesity sometimes is caused by biological factors (some people have fucked up hormones or something like that).

[NYkid27]

I think so because it can be just as harmful to your kid as not feeding them enough and parents go to jail for that

[Anonymous]

I think that's a bit harsh. Education on nutrition/fitness is what is needed before anything else. Also budgeting.

[HeWhoPonders]

Not charged with neglect, that's just taking responsibility away from the child's own lazy ass.

[SleepingSnorlax]

Noooooooooo
If thats the case then all resturaunts, food stores, beer distributers, etc... Would have to be charged too
No

[_Just_A_girl_]

Not necessarily. Isn't it about choices? You can choose to eat at Mc Donald's or choose to go grocery shopping and buy food within your budget.

Exceptions: those who are struggling because of genetic complications.

[SleepingSnorlax]

So if the kid choses to eat why is it the parents fault?
You dont choose to get three times the amount of servings you're suppose to have per dish you get from a resturaunt ya know

[Anonymous]

Yes because they didn't take care of the child as he or she should be taken care of.

[Thisperson98]

No, most of the time it is because the child is lazy.

[Anonymous]

A lot of it comes down to schools too.

[_Just_A_girl_]

Depends if the parent gives the child money for the vending machines then the parents is allowing it.
Schools can also be at fault if they don't serve slightly healthier options.

[ryanfyfe]

This question is so shit. no.

[_Just_A_girl_]

Hey no need to be harsh Ryanfyfe. You still answered though "haha got em".

[ryanfyfe]

My plan wasn't to not answer your ill educated queation "haha got em."

[Katy16]

No, not unless they are like force feeding the kid

[takumii]

Obesity is not a crime.

[FrenchyRomain]

definitely yes

[abc3643]

Of course not.

[Dred1614]

Hell no.

[SatyricLord]

No, they shouldn't.

[Anonymous]

Nope.