Do you think having an seriously overweight child can be a form of child abuse?

Sometimes it makes me so sad when I see severely overweight adults (which it is there right if they want to live that way) raising young severly overweight children. It just makes me sad that this isnt considered a form of child abuse. They are most likely setting that child up for years of health problems like juvenile diabetes, asthma, heart conditions, and even mental illnesses like low self esteem.

What do you think should be done to help curb child obesity?

typo/clarification: (which it is their right (the parents) to live their life how they want to)

I totally agree with you 100% I think parents should really think about what they went through as a kid and want better for their children and their selves. I think schools should teach healthy live and cooking and exercise, if the parent are not going to teach them then someone should.

it shouldn't be a crime

Yes, it can be abuse, or more likely neglect. But not always--many medications cause weight gain, so do some medical conditions.

To curb child obesity...how about stopping government subsidies for raising fattening foods, taxing fattening foods (bakery items, potatoes, beef) but not non-fattening ones (fish, most vegetables), eliminating advertising of all types directed at children (but esp for fast food and candy), teaching parents to restrict TV watching and video games, and mandating child participation in sports activities?

it might be child abuse, but fat chance on getting any jury to convict on it.

my father was away for half of my life as a kid because he was in the Navy. does that translate as Neglect? i sure as hell hope not.

YES!!!
I haven't gotten as far on what I think we should/could do... because I simply can't get past how people let themselves get that way in the first place! People are just lazier and FATTER! It's just disgusting and I think it definitely is a LOT of child abuse.

Mentally they're telling them they can do whatever they want, while making them this way they're putting them through mental anguish, and physically they causing all those health problems and premature death! The entire situation is just unbelievable.

I think it's abuse for sure. Parents have a choice. Feed their kids junk or give them healthy food. It makes me ill seeing 10 year olds with fat rolls. As far as how to stop it I have no idea. Some parents have no idea what to feed their kids or they know what to give them and choose to be lazy and not give them good food. If you figure it out let me know. I'm just tired of paying for unwanted pregnancies and morbidly obese parents and children.

I am in total agreement with you! I have, often, written on other sites, that adults who rear children as overweight children should actually be charged with child endangerment, cruelty to a child, and neglect. Children who are severely overweight do NOT fit in, happily, at school........and any other social gathing, are SO at risk for diabetesII, heart problems, high cholesterol, and so many more problems................that it is a real crime in my books. We have free places, everywhere, to show people how to keep exercise up and 'fat' down for children........there is no reasonably cause for obesity in children! Thank you for bringing it to the forefront!

yes i very well agree to that as the wait and the health of the child is the overall responsibility of the parebts or one who are taking there care.and due tom which child have to face several problems like aasthma and all in there young age only.and the adults can stop childern from eating whatever they want dont you agree on this?to help reduce obesity parents should take care that healthy food is given to there child rather than fat increasing food and regular visits to the doctors.