Something like 1 in 4 American children are overweight and/or obese. Do you think that having an obese child is a form of neglect? (medical reasons excluded) Isn't preparing healthful meals and snacks and setting up healthy eating habits a primary parenting responsibility?
First, I don't think grilled chicken and steamed broccoli is more expensive than a meal from a fast food restaurant. Second, shouldn't a parent make time to cook?
Connor & Riley's Mommy
It is the responsibility of the parent to ensure that their children eat a balanced diet. I suppose it is neglect to allow them to become over weight like that. The only exception to that would be if the child has a thyroid condition or something along those lines.
?
it's child abuse
Beth
Yes, I agree that it is a form of neglect. Especially because the majority of the time, obese children are just overeating and eating the wrong things, so it would be the parent's responsibility to set some limits and dietary restrcitions. Rarely is it the case when a child just has a chronic health problem that would cause obesity, but I believe this would be the exception and then it would be up to the parent to get the necessary medical care for the child.
But that's just my little old opinion.
sean_sobes
yes yes yes.
i every fat child i have known has had parents that dont put there children first, more or less treat them as object
ROCKMUM
ive got 4 kids that eat the same,, but one is overweight [not obese] so sometimes its the kids metabolism
BUT,, i saw a show not long ago,, the son was bedridden how freakin huge he was and the mum was bringing him in takeaway everyday,,, now thats abuse
he was bedridden,, she couldv brought in salads cos it aint like he was gonna get up and buy junk food,,lol,, that spun me out xxxxxxxx
whydotheheathenrage
It can be, but I wouldn't say so as a rule, no.
There are a lot of factors that go into weight. There's diet and exercise, obviously, but also genetic and environmental factors. The stats are highly skewed by city dwellers. Kids who grow up in the country are still by and large on the thin side. Kids who grow up in the inner city by contrast, tend to suffer from weight issues. Often these kids come from single parent families, who struggle to consistently prepare nutritious well-balanced meals because they're working and can't afford organic. Compounding the issue is the fact that many of these children have no safe place to run around and just be kids. Drug dealers and prostitutes have claimed the playgrounds.
Is having children when you live in a bad neighborhood a form of abuse?
___
Edit: I didn't just mean organic, I meant well-balanced and nutritious also. My kids don't have weight problems, thank goodness; we have good genes, I think. I do my best to prepare nutritious meals, but sometimes between work and soccer practice and church and just plain trying to enjoy a family night together it doesn't happen! Back when I was a single parent, there were plenty of times that the closest we got to being well-balanced was a box of mac & cheese and a can of green beans. I'm so appreciative for the help my husband gives me in the kitchen (or outside of it, so I can be in), and I empathize with anyone who doesn't have that support. My kids also have organized sports and a big back yard that's safe to play in now. Back when I was a single mom, my neighborhood wasn't nearly as nice and we had to go to the park for my son to have room to run around. It was a 20 minute drive to get to a park we felt safe in and yeah, we didn't get to go every day!
Don't underestimate the effects of poverty. Grilling chicken and steaming broccoli takes time which parents working two jobs don't have. It's so much easier to just pop something in out of a box or a bag. Tut tut about it all you want, but until you've lived it you don't understand.
To attack the problem of the obesity, you shouldn't just blame "bad" parents who you think are lazy. Attack the real causes: parents who are overworked and under-educated and kids who don't have safe areas to play and have often had gym class and recess cut out of their schools.
?
Have you seen the food isles these days?
Healthy would be easier if more went into what to cook but nowadays cooking a healthy meal is near immpossible for the busy average family. Fast food has become a big thing..
Also I live in the south. We usually homecook every meal- but even then- it doesnt make it healthy.
Mrs. J. loves her husband!
It's not neglect. Obviously the kids are being fed-- that's why they're so big. But a lot of times healthy food is too expensive and parents work too much to have the time or energy to prepare healthy meals. I don't think it's an excuse for parents to let their kids become unhealthy, and I think that kids learn eating/health habits growing up. But let's face it. It's a lot cheaper and easier to make ramen noodles (bad) than it is to make grilled chicken and steamed broccoli. I won't let my kids eat unhealthy food. My mom did it to me growing up and I had I not played sports, I'd have been very overweight like my brother.
(angry) Gay Guy
I think it's neglectful for parents to give their children junk food and nothing healthy, and not making sure that they eat healthy things.
polishprinsezz
absolutely,it is the parents job to teach their children healthy eating habits.there is nothing wrong with a treat every once in awhile.instilling healthy habits at a young age can last a lifetime.
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