Accrington Web - View Single Post

pendy · 23-05-2006, 16:33

Childhood obesity is an increasing problem. Too few children get enough exercise - when we were kids, we were out all day in the holidays, charging around, burning energy. Now some parents are (rightly) worried about letting their children play unsupervised, so the kids stay at home experiencing virtual reality. Childhood obesity does lead to health problems, and I can see the point of trying to tackle it. The Health Service is already overstretched, and an increase in the rate of diabetes and heart disease (already happening) would place a huge burden on the system, both in terms of medical attendances and drugs. There was a case in the US where a child was removed from the mother because child was grossly obese, and the state classed it as child abuse. Can we/should we go so far if parents refuse to care for their children's health in this way?

23-05-2006, 16:33	#17
pendy Resting in peace Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London/Oswaldtwistle Posts: 1,123 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 910	Re: Weighing in schools Childhood obesity is an increasing problem. Too few children get enough exercise - when we were kids, we were out all day in the holidays, charging around, burning energy. Now some parents are (rightly) worried about letting their children play unsupervised, so the kids stay at home experiencing virtual reality. Childhood obesity does lead to health problems, and I can see the point of trying to tackle it. The Health Service is already overstretched, and an increase in the rate of diabetes and heart disease (already happening) would place a huge burden on the system, both in terms of medical attendances and drugs. There was a case in the US where a child was removed from the mother because child was grossly obese, and the state classed it as child abuse. Can we/should we go so far if parents refuse to care for their children's health in this way?