Should parents lose custody of super obese kids?

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CHICAGO (AP) — Should parents of extremely obese children lose custody for not controlling their kids' weight? A provocative commentary in one of the nation's most distinguished medical journals argues yes, and its authors are joining a quiet chorus of advocates who say the government should be allowed to intervene in extreme cases.

It has happened a few times in the U.S., and the opinion piece in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association says putting children temporarily in foster care is in some cases more ethical than obesity surgery.

http://news.yahoo.com/parents-lose-custody-super-obese-kids-200342454.html

unbelievable
 
anyone who has seen the horror stories of children in the care of childrens services and agrees that the gov should take kids away for something as petty as this, should be deported.
 
You can't stop people from being retarded if that's what they want. As long as they aren't abusing their kids government should stay the hell away.
 
Yurt said:
CHICAGO (AP) — Should parents of extremely obese children lose custody for not controlling their kids' weight? A provocative commentary in one of the nation's most distinguished medical journals argues yes, and its authors are joining a quiet chorus of advocates who say the government should be allowed to intervene in extreme cases.

It has happened a few times in the U.S., and the opinion piece in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association says putting children temporarily in foster care is in some cases more ethical than obesity surgery.

http://news.yahoo.com/parents-lose-custody-super-obese-kids-200342454.html

unbelievable
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The question is far, far to simplistic.
You would need to know the reasons for the obesity, what the attitude of the parente and other family members is.
If the parents have received warnings (not disciplinary but advisory) but have chosen to let the obesity continue then measures must be taken. If parents were systematically starving a child or feeding it drugs or doing anything else that threatens its safety and normal development then the authorities should be entitled to step in.
The cost to society of a starved child, an obese child or a child abused in any other way should be considered and a medical prognosis sought.
If the authorities have a bad record, change the authority by all means. However, it must be said that a bad parent is usually better than no parent so there should be no 'automatic' action possible.
Obesity surgery should not be performed - I am tempted to say 'ever' but, like you, do not know all the circumstances.
 
Damn Yankee said:
Liberals love to control people. 'We're from the government. We're going to protect you from yourself. '
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Isn't your biggest argument against gay marriage the damage to the children involved?

If the parents are the cause of the super obesity, it is child abuse. It should be treated like any child abuse case. I don't think they were talking about kids with a few extra pounds, but about kids who are handicapped by their weight.

Isn't the idea of not allowing privately owned businesses to decide whether they allow smoking that the gov't know best and must protect people who cannot read?
 
Damn Yankee said:
I have never said that the state should take your kids away from you because they are fat.
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Nor did I accuse you of saying that. I have simply pointed out that people who demand gov't interference on behalf of children in one situation should not object to it in another, more dangerous situation.

If the child is as obese as was discussed in the article, someone needs to step in. If the child were as underweight as these kids are overweight, social services would have taken them in a heartbeat.
 
There's no black and white answer to this question. But I believe that any parent who allows a child to balloon up to 200, 300, 400, pounds is certainly neglectful, if not downright abusive. The percentage of morbidly obese kids who have physical conditions (Prader-Willi, hypothyroidism, etc.) is small. Most of the obesity stems from poor nutrition, and kids have no control over what parents feed them.
 
christiefan915 said:
There's no black and white answer to this question. But I believe that any parent who allows a child to balloon up to 200, 300, 400, pounds is certainly neglectful, if not downright abusive. The percentage of morbidly obese kids who have physical conditions (Prader-Willi, hypothyroidism, etc.) is small. Most of the obesity stems from poor nutrition, and kids have no control over what parents feed them.
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If there is a medical problem causing the obesity, that can be addressed. But the article talked about a 440lb 16 year old and a 400lb 12 year old who had life threatening issues that were directly related to their weight.

I cannot fathom why people would say the gov't must stay out of it, but want the gov't involved if parents starve a child or sexually abuse a child.
 
Parents I've discussed this issue with here are proud of their kids being fat. They see it as normal moral healthy and natural. :D
 
Damn Yankee said:
Parents I've discussed this issue with here are proud of their kids being fat. They see it as normal moral healthy and natural. :D
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Try and stay with the topic, and away from your usual ignorant nonsense. Or is that too much to ask?
 
Damn Yankee said:
What? They see it as normal moral healthy and natural. This is an undeniable fact.
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Please tell me who has ever said that a super obese child is "normal, moral, healthy or natural"??

And with whom have you discussed their "super obese kids"? The topic is about the gov't taking custody of super obese kids. Try and stick with that.
 
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