Obese kids-what do you think?

I like what happened in the UK not too long ago, child protection took an obese kid out of house there. I think that should be done in as many countries as possible in order to battle obesity, especially in the very young if there's no medical condition it simply is being placed upon by the parents.

I think it is really sad!! I would feel terrible if my kids got really fat!! I try to be a good example and give them healthy snacks and meals. It is working pretty good for my kids, I use to love chips and soda, all kinds of crap food and so I slowly started getting more and more fruits and veggies and less crap. So now we don't ever get chips unless it is for a party or something. I try to make them healthy by what I feed them, jusy like the other parents are making their kids fat by feeding them bad foods. It is terrible and I feel bad for the kids...and the parents because after the kids get in the habit if eating bad foods it is really hard to change.

I’ve seen those shows and it is bad- Do I think it is the parent’s fault when their kids are obese for non-medical reasons? Sure if they are feeding them nothing but junk, fast food, ho-ho’s, chips, etc. It is our job as parents to keep our kids healthy- that includes their weight also. My daughter is a bit chunky in the tummy—we eat healthy, exercise all the time- (outside playing, softball, riding bikes, walking) fun stuff-- she is by no means obese- Sure she asks to go to Mc’s and I say no- most of the time- We are the parents we can control what goes into our kids mouths and how much of it- most of the time- School lunches also need to be healthier- A great thing about my daughters school is- if you don’t want your child purchasing snacks you can place a no snack purchase on their account- Doesn’t mean your kids won’t have someone else purchase them- but at least they are trying to help. So yes it is the parents fault- If they served healthy food- and didn’t let their kids be the boss- I don’t there would be the weight problem there is today in kids or adults-

It's sad that the parents do this to their kids because they are the enabler making this happen. If they are unable or unwilling to alter the diet of their children to allow them to come down to an acceptable weight then they shouldn't be allowed to have children. They probably allow their children to overeat because they overeat, poor kids.

I think that these children need to be removed from the home. There is absolutely no reason that these kids should be that obese...I understand that there are some medical reasons for obesity, but to continue to feed children bacon, sausage, candy, cupcakes is onloy adding to their problem. I also think that these parents should engage their children in physical activities...but then again, have you seen most of the parents? They look like coach potatoes too!

i think it is terrible all that they had to do was feed them good right from the start and that should not have ever happend to begin with

It's just another example of how children are running the parents not the parents running the children. So many parents today give in and give their kids whatever they want because it's easier than being a good parent. As a primary teacher, I run into plenty of children who think that they rule the universe. Parenting is not a popularity contest, and it is hard work if you do it right.

I feel the same way you do, everythime I watch shows like that my heart breakes becasue it is so easy to put all that weight on but is is very hard to get it up. Poor kids, and I cant believe that the parents would keep letting the children eat like that!

I certainly feel for these obese kids. The parents just give them the easiest thing they can to feed them. Because the parents are always in such hurry today. And the child has to suffer.

As caretakers for their childen, I put the blame totally on the parents of any obese child. I also saw the programs you are referring to. These are very young children,who, if it weren't for they're parents, would not be able to prepare or serve the foods they're getting a on a daily basis.These chldren are unhealthy, unhappy and are facing really serious health problems.Why would any parent risk their own childs health, by feeding them this way? I even heard one mother say, she was doing this because "the child asked for the food".I find this outrageous and totally insane. little kids don't know what's good or bad for them, they don't know the health risks. They need to be fed healthy foods, that help them to grow normally. In my opinion, I would call what these parents are doing to their children, abuse.

Majority of these obese kids have working parents that doesn't have time to prepare home cooked meals, instead all meals are from fast food restaurant because they are quicker to prepare. Instead of encouraging the kids to eat fruits, they will just buy lots of snacks that is mostly compose of junk foods. And we have to remember that whatever the parents are eating, the kids ate it too. And usually there are so many eat all you can buffet all over the country that they just let their kids loose and let them eat and eat and eat. As a parent, we really have to monitor what the food intake of our children to make sure they got enough healthy nutrients in their diets because it will affect their health.

I think that kids end up that much overweight because the parents are irresponsible. Sometimes it's not the food, but the exercise, though. If you let your kid just sit in front of the TV, they are probably going to gain weight even from healthy food. Kind of like if your kid is constantly up playing and running around, they probably aren't going to be fat, even if they eat junk food all day long. They key is moderation. For everything. My son is 15 months old. He loves pizza. We eat it out somewhere maybe once a month. When we make it at home, we use whole wheat crust, reduced fat cheese, mushrooms, and pizza sauce. Sometimes Canadian Bacon, too, but rarely any really fatty food. We don't use any added oil. So it's really not that unhealthy. And my son still loves it. There are ways to give your kids what they want (sometimes) without going overboard. My son gets other junk sometimes, too, but not very often. I know people are always amazed at how much my son eats when we go out. He eats more than I do. And sometimes his food isn't exactly healthy when we eat out. But he eats plenty of nutritious stuff at home. He just had lunch. A piece of grilled chicken, cottage cheese, green beans, and a sippy cup of milk. If we were to go out to eat tonight, I wouldn't feel guilty buying him a burger and fries if that is what he wanted. But we don't eat out every night, so I don't see a problem with it once a week. We have had dirty looks in the past for letting him get what he wanted, though. But, this is just my opinion, if he is eating healthy MOST of the time, and he isn't significantly overweight (my son is in the 95th percentile for height and around 50th for weight), I don't see a problem with him eating a little bit of junk sometimes. I think there are a lot of parents that go to extremes on both sides of the issue. I'm not saying you are one of them, but they are definitely out there. My six year old niece just had a party. Her parents were so mad that my sister fed her pizza, because she had never had it before, and wanted it again. The little girl is 6 years old, and is only 34 inches tall, and weighs 26 lbs. A little bit of junk food wouldn't hurt her! My son is about as big as her, and he's only 15 months! I think that kind of control will also give the little girl eating issues when she is older.

I think it's because kids these days eat junk food by the piles and they don't work or keep active when we were kids we played out doors npe kids play video games and watch too much tv or are on the computer playing games. I used to jump rope with kids from the neighbourhood and I'd play out doors I have allergies though foundout when I was 6 it didn't stop me ,but I was never over weight I didn't eat much and spent my time glued to a book

In my oppinion, obesity is a multifactorial caused disease, so it´s necessary that doctors give parents the proper instructions for feeding their kids in the childhood. After this period of learning, the kids should be able to take good care of themselves to have the proper acknoledge of what is wright or wrong for them to eat and keep their health. it would be even better with some medical advices. When you get psicological independence, your parents are no longer responsible for your compulsion for food or other compulsive acts...

I think that you are right, children don't need to form these poor eating habits at such a young age because they will carry them over into adulthood. It is an unfortunate thing in our society that food is often associated with love and parents and other relatives offer children whatever they want as a sign of love or as a reward for something well done. This in moderation is not a bad thing, but to let a child learn to depend on "comfort food" or to make the demands in the family about what will be served at meal time is inappropriate and shouldn't be done. Allowing a child to make choices once in a while to create a sense of independence within the family is okay, but you don't want them to feel too independent when they aren't ready. Children have parents make choices for them because they are not mature enough to always make the best choices for themselves with the best possible outcomes. This is the role of a good parent; to look out for and to provide guidance and nuturing. When a child is making poor choices for themselves, especially ones that could lead to serious health problems later, the parent must step in and provide proper guidance and make the best decisions for the child's interests in the long-term. Children should also be encouraged to exercise along with a proper diet for good overall health. Whenever possible, parents should get out and involve themselves in activities that provide good exercise with their children because it is more of a situation of do as I do not just do as I say. Lead by example, in other words, and you have the best results.

I don't understand how they can let their children eat like that either. They are the parents and they are the ones that buy the food to go in the house. If they feel like they need to feed there kids a lot then at least feed them fruits and veggies instead of cupcakes, pizza, french fries, etc. And give them water, milk, and sugar free kool aid instead of all the soda. I just don't get it. They need to show the child how to eat right, how to exercise, and how to take care of themselves.

Yes the parents should be actually be taught about taking care of their children's health, when it comes to junk foods. Junk foods are really doing a lots of harm, and still there is very little awareness about it. The parents should get aware of it first, and then only we can get healthier future generations.

Hi 4cuteboys. Yes, I have seen those kids on Maury. Those "parents" need to have their heads examined. A parent's job is to guide their children and that means telling them when they have had enough to eat. These people are abusing their kids and I wouldn't have a problem seeing them jailed for it.

some parents think give children things what they want is the action to love their children,in fact ,it is wrong,give them the bad thing is just bad for their health.love their children don't express from creature comfort to children,but to give advice to educate a good habit,and teach them how to do and what to do when the children is alone in home.

My son is big for his age and he is pretty chubby, but he eats right and he excercises all day long. I took him off his medication for ADHD and that is where his weight gain has come from, because when he was on the medicine he would not eat at all. I do allow him special treats now and then but he has always been a huge fruit and veggie eater. One of his favorite places to eat is a place that has a huge salad bar and meat and potato bar.