Is obesity child abuse?

[GoGoKokiGo]

Not if done unintentionally. Some people just don't know any better. They can learn otherwise and hopefully they will. But unhealthy eating is passed down, almost in a hereditary way. That would be like saying male pattern baldness is abuse (if it could kill you). And that coupled with the ever popular dollar menus, there is no way you can win. But I believe there is change going on, people are learning healthier ways of eating. So no I don't think it's abuse, it's just lack of knowledge.

[tjeffers]

it all depends on the way the parent feels....  some children there is a way for it not to happen at all.... but at the other side of the field is the child going threw rough times?

[cowgirlx]

YES.  I have a step son that is 11 and wayyyy over 100# he is just one size away from wearing the same size his dad does.  His mom, who is maybe 5'3 easily tips the scale well over 300 prob closer to 400, is in total denial and says he looks fine.  They are so heavy there that she, and her 3 sons had to get a station wagon because they couldn't all fit comfortabley into a sedan.  the kids are 3, 7 and 11 how sad is that??  All 4 of my kids can comfortably sit in the back set, belts and all.  The kids are  10, 11, 6, and 3, and all with in healthy weights.  We try to help the two older boys, but the second we turn our backs they will eat anything they can get their hands on.The oldest brags about being able to eat a medium  pizza form pizza hut, and eating a box of cereal for breakfast.  We are at a loss, he is being told that it is ok...( food stamps pay for it, why should she care).  So yes I do think it is definately neglect and abuse too

[angel379227]

I think people should mind their own business.

[gesus]

Abuse ?? ehhhh idk , overfeeding yeah , i cant see how parents have the time to give their kid all that food in the first place

[danielv88]

yes it is..

[msmayhem247]

In some cases yes and then in some cases no. Some people allow their children to become obese because they do not know any better. It just depends on the situation.

[trujillo33]

I wouldnt thinks so because a lot of parents would be charge with the crime. However, i watch or heard that a mother was charge with child abuse because her son was obese. I think he was 10 or 11 and already weigh 400 lbs.

[mstout1221]

It all depends on how it comes about bc I know someone who is overweight but is very active and trying to eat right. Sometimes its just in the genetics.

[jasmine91]

i dont think so

[iitallia]

no i dont think so

[badfollower]

Unless it is a medical condition, I believe it is child abuse. Many of my friends as a child were overweight but their parents worked with them to eat healthy foods and lose unneeded weight but there were a few who just ate whatever they wanted and their parents never cared. They thought they were the best treated children and so did everyone else at the time but they were the ones who always came home to an empty house and took care of themselves. I view that as neglectful child abuse.

You are sooo right!

[Dremarr]

It should be taken on a case by case basis. Some parents don't have a choice in providing healthy choices in food due to lack of money,education, etc. It is child abuse when the parents have complete control over what their children can eat and yet choose to always offer unhealthy alternatives.

[judystancato]

It is my opinion that it IS a form of abuse. In this day and age we are aware or what is and isnt healthy for our bodies. It seems that in about 95% of the cases, if the child is overweight so is one or both of the parents. As adults, we are responsible for what we consume but the child has no say. It is abuse to intentionally feed a child unhealthy foods.

[thanhkle2003]

In extreme cases, the Parents are responsible for the this matter. Child obesity leads to many adolesent problems. I think parents should  be held responsible for this and mandate to take nutrition courses. If their childs condition does not improve, can cannot stop taking the courses. There should be a center to see these children and check on their progress. We spend lots of money on welfare and other programs. We can start a pilot program for obesity.