Just saying the words
childhood obesity draws many different public opinions. Questions, such as is
childhood obesity a form of neglect and is childhood obesity a disease or
illness cause’s controversy over what
childhood obesity really is.
Childhood
obesity is it neglect?
When
a parent repeatedly ignores opportunities and resources to help their children
maintain a healthy weight, should this be considered a form of neglect? This controversial
topic raises questions, such as are parents of obese children failing to
sufficiently care for their children, should the law step in and remove these
children from their home, and should parents be allowed to feed their children as
much as they want without consequences?
Usually
child neglect is referred to as a parent or caregiver failing to provide proper
medical care to a child or the child is being intentionally harmed. Until recently, the medical community has not
considered obesity a form of child neglect. The medical community has started asking
questioning, such as whether or not over-feeding a child is a form of neglect
and when is it acceptable to refer to an obese child as being neglected? What
guidelines are in place to determine when a child’s obesity is a form of
neglect? A case for neglect could be made if the child’s obese state is harming
their health and caregivers refuse medical care, do not follow their physician’s
instruction, or fail to monitor their child’s eating behaviors allowing the
child to become ill or die from an illness related to obesity, such as heart
disease or diabetes (Varness, Allen, Carrel, & Fost, 2009).
Is
childhood obesity an illness or disease?
There
has been an ongoing debate as to whether or not childhood obesity is disease,
illness or condition. Opponents disagree
with those who categorize childhood obesity as a disease or illness. Opponents see childhood obesity as a direct
result of their upbringing, environment and chosen lifestyle. At one point in
time obesity was a term used to describe someone’s weight and was not
considered a disease, but over the years, the term obesity is now synonymous
with the word disease. There are no
symptoms of obesity unlike genuine diseases which normally have symptoms; one
solitary indication a person is obese is the amount of excess fat they have on
their person (Allison et al., 2008).
Childhood
obesity is clearly a problem in today’s society, but it is not a disease. The
definition of a disease is “an abnormal condition affecting the body brought on
by infection, internal dysfunction or an autoimmune syndrome” (Allison et al.,
2008). Normal functioning of the body is not impaired because someone is obese
unlike diseases. Obesity can contribute too many ailments and may assist in
creating a disease for a person that is obese, but obesity itself is not a
disease. People who are obese can have
long fulfilling lives without developing any diseases commonly associated with
obesity unlike real diseases that usually shortens a person’s life expectancy
or even lead to death (Allison et al., 2008).
In
my opinion, obesity is a problem derived from of personal choice and not taking
responsibility for their health. Poor choices, such as unhealthy dietary
choices and not enough physical activity, or any physical activity at all can
contribute to a person’s obesity and the downfall of their health. Obesity is
the consequence of a combination of an overindulgence of unhealthy foods and a
sedentary lifestyle. It is not a disease or illness.
References
Allison,
D., Downey, M., Atkinson, R., Billington, C., Bray, G., Eckel, R., Finkelstein,
E., Jensen, M., & Tremblay, A. (2008). Obesity as a disease: A white paper
on evidence and arguments commissioned by the council of the obesity society.
Obesity a Research Journal, 16(6). Doi: 10.1038/oby.2008.231 Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com/oby/journal/v16/ n6/full/oby2008231a.html
Varness,
T., Allen, D., Carrel, A., & Fost, N. (2009). Childhood Obesity and Medical
Neglect. Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 123(1), 399-406.
Doi:10.1542/peds.2008-0712 Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/
content/123/1/399.full
Hi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteYou presented an excellent discussion regarding the controversies associated with childhood obesity. The issue of childhood obesity and the question of whether this is a form of neglect is significant. I was pleased to learn that in the TV show, The Biggest Loser, the new season will include obese children. But it will not focus on their weight; it will focus on their overall health, strength and endurance. I think this is a tremendous step in bringing the issue of childhood obesity to the forefront of the public. First Lady Michelle Obama’s initiative of “Let’s Move!” has helped tremendously bring more focus to helping our children become healthier. Data show that 30% of the children in the United States are obese and those numbers are closer to 40% in the Hispanic and African American population. It is frightening to think that if these children do not learn healthy lifestyle habits while they are young and become obese adults, 1/3 of all adults will be diagnosed with type II diabetes and will face chronic health issues such as high blood pressure and heart disease (Let’s Move, n.d.).
I know that video games, TV and computers have been largely blamed for the increase in childhood obesity. But the bottom line is that the parents must be role models and must realize that their responsibilities of parenting include teaching their children healthy lifestyle habits that will serve them into adulthood.
Kim
Let’s Move.(n.d.). Learn the facts. Retrieved from www.letsmove.gov/learn-facts/epidemic-childhood-obesity
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThere continues to be increasing controversy surrounding the topic of childhood obesity. As rates of childhood obesity steadily increases across the nation, so too will such questions as one that you posed: Childhood obesity: Is it neglect? This is not a question that can be easily answered. Additionally, I think that we will continue to see a rise in the number of court cases related to childhood obesity and parental neglect. According to the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA, 2008), "Some critics may question whether it is fair to hold parents responsible for their children's obesity in all cases. After all, many external influences can determine a child's weight. In other words, what a child weighs is not solely determined by what he or she is fed at home" (para. 7). I agree that childhood obesity is a condition that results from multiple factors, but I believe that if modifiable risk factors, such as diet and exercise, are encouraged and incorporated in the home environment during childhood there is a higher likelihood that these healthy behaviors will continue into adulthood.
I think charging parents of obese children with parental neglect is an extreme measure that should only be used as a last resort. An importanyt point is that "many parents of severly obese children do not act intentionally to inflict harm on their children." They are often obese themselves and "unaware of the composition or importance of a proper diet and exercise" (CWLA, 2008, para. 20). I believe parents can be considered negligent if they are unwilling to follow medical orders to reduce their child's weight, but I feel they should be provided assistance if they attempted to help with weight reduction and failed.
Kristy
Reference
ReplyDeleteChild Welfare League of American (2008). Childhood obesity: Is it abuse? Retrieved from http://www.cwla.org/voice/0807obesity.htm
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteI agree that obesity is not a disease but a condition that can contribute to diseases. I also agree that too many children are overweight and that this is growing to epidemic proportions. I don't agree that parents need to be brought up on charges because of this condition. I agree that this should be a last resort and only when neglect is proven. As you state there may be reasons why their efforts are not sufficient to prevent obesity of their children. There are other areas in child rearing that have been put up as chargeable offenses for parents. Truancy for one. Yes, parents need to be in charge, be the parent, but children have been given control of some areas of their lives and I feel,taking some of the control or responsibility from the parents for their children. Allowing children to rule their lives in the areas of diet and exercise is just the kind of control they should not have exclusively.
Obesity is only one facet of a much larger problem. Who is responsible for the actions of the child?
Tracey,
ReplyDeleteI agree that obesity is not a disease, but there is speculation through epigenetics that genes that make a person prone to obesity are triggered by habits and lifestyles (Stöger, 2008). Something should be done to help the public be aware of the probability of childhood obesity and if there is a possibility that their children are at risk. There is a new calculator that was developed to determine if your child is likely to develop obesity. It is located at http://files-good.ibl.fr/childhood-obesity/. This will be a handy tool for public health professionals to help determine if a child is at risk for developing obesity as a child.
References:
Predicted probability of childhood obesity from traditional risk factors in the NFBC1986. (2012). Retrieved from http://files-good.ibl.fr/childhood-obesity/
Stöger R. (2008). Epigenetics and obesity. Pharmacogenomics, 12, 1851-60.
Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThe debate over whether or not childhood obesity is a disease grows as obesity rates and the cost of treating obesity-related conditions increase in the United States. Classifying obesity as a disease would scare overweight or obese people who are healthy into seeking unnecessary medical treatments, divert public funds to treat a preventable condition, and be discriminatory towards people who choose a different body type. Categorizing childhood obesity as a disease would not address the underlying problems causing it, such as poverty, the prevalence of unhealthy processed foods, lack of public policies encouraging exercise, and other environmental factors. In the health care bill H.R. 3962 approved by the House of Representatives on Oct. 29, 2009, "being overweight or obese" is not classified as a disease but as a "behavioral risk factor" along with alcohol and drug use, tobacco, poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and risky sex.
In my opinion childhood obesity is a condition not a disease because I believe it is the result of child’s parents chosen eating habits, lifestyle, and their environment aspects such as where they live, their social circle and their economic status as well.
References:
ProCon.org. (2012). Is obesity a disease? Retrieved from http://obesity.procon.org/#Background
According to the CDC, 1 of 3 low-income preschool children are overweight or obese and with the number of persons in poverty at an at least 51 year high, these numbers are compelling (2009). It is important to take an ecological view when considering the reasons for such high numbers in this group. They can vary from having a safe place to play to the idea parents hold about what it means to have a “well-feed” child. Taking an ecological approach is necessary for taking on this type of issue. If local government, businesses, and communities work together, change just might happen.
ReplyDelete