Apr 13, 2009 9:28 AM GMT
I have the luxury of always being skinny/slim so I'm biased on this topic (flame away if you must), but here's a thought to split the voters and get a few people angry:
Parents who allow their kids to get fat through lack of activity, exercise and poor diet should be charged with child abuse.
It's a topic I was discussing last night with mates, and although I'm not convinced it's truly 'child abuse', I can't come up with a decent defence for the parents. Sure there are ailments and conditions that result in children gaining weight, but what about the ones who are simply fat because their parents couldn't care enough to provide them decent food? (and are probably fat themselves). If you fail to provide the necessities of life to a child you are held responsible (and can be thrown in gaol), should childhood obesity be included in that?
Parents who allow their kids to get fat through lack of activity, exercise and poor diet should be charged with child abuse.
It's a topic I was discussing last night with mates, and although I'm not convinced it's truly 'child abuse', I can't come up with a decent defence for the parents. Sure there are ailments and conditions that result in children gaining weight, but what about the ones who are simply fat because their parents couldn't care enough to provide them decent food? (and are probably fat themselves). If you fail to provide the necessities of life to a child you are held responsible (and can be thrown in gaol), should childhood obesity be included in that?