SHOULD MOMS PUT THIER OBESE CHILDREN ON A DIET?

[patrick122068]

Diets do not work, but healthy eating is the way to go. There are plenty of cookbooks out there, that has healthy and delicious recipes, so healthy eating does not mean that we have to eat boring foods.

[ajann1983]

I child shouldn't have to be put on a diet. The parent should provide balanced meals for the child. Children get their eating habits from the people that are around them.

[ckaliszewski]

If a child is under two then you should NEVER put them on a diet, no matter what the circumstances, because it can negatively impact their overall development and, more importantly, their brain development.
If a child is ~6 and they are overweight then you should make sure they are eating the proper foods and getting enough exercise, but you shouldn't do anything too dramatic.

[jordandog]

Moms shouldn't let their kids become obese in the first place...hello!

The glaringly obvious answer right there!

yes they should....their kids can have serious health problems down the road...

It isn't even a case of problems "down the road" anymore, the problems are already in place for most, if not all, obese kids. I don't want to gross anyone out here, but it is an up close and personal reality check when we have an obese child or teen on the operating table. For example; what should take ~1 hour for something like a simple resectioning of a small tumor in the midsection, abdomen winds up taking 2+ hours because the excess subcutaneous fat layer has to be gone through in order to even see the organ involved, let alone the tumor. Just went through this not more than 2 months ago and it was a little girl only 6 years old. That is not only dangerous re the amount of anesthesia and the extra time necesary to keep her 'under', but it also made for far more pain and length of time just to recover from that. Then you have the parents getting verbally aggressive because "It wasn't supposed to take that long! You put her in danger having her 'out' that long! Do you even know what you're doing?!" Of course, it made NO difference to [calmly] explain to them how her weight played a major roll in this because they {parents} usually don't want to take responsibility for any part of that. The fact that the mother was bordering on morbid obesity and the father wasn't too far behind played a part in not wanting to hear any of this.

Not only is the U.S. dollar in the toilet, but so is our overall health. We are now#1, out of every country in the world, as far as the rate of obesity. That is beyond disheartening. Instead of all the complaining about the price of gas, I'd like to tell the obese ones (I hear saying it), "You won't have to worry about that too much longer, because you won't be around much longer. I hate the price of gas too, but it's nothing compared to the constant hikes in price I'm paying for my health insurance and malpractice premiums thanks in great part to you."

[blondie71]

I would put the whole house kinda on a diet.  Being an example.  Have you ever watch The biggest looser, find better was for the whole familly to eat better and the children will learn from you.  Its ok to have a sweet or somthing just a serving size.  You need to change the way you and your family eat, if you can afford to that is.  I know I live on a tight budget so I have to buy lower cuts of meat and eat a lot of pasta and starch isn't good for anyone.

[pjlicari17]

I child shouldn't have to be put on a diet. The parent should provide balanced meals for the child. Children get their eating habits from the people that are around them.

Well said!

[jwallbank]

Of Course they should!! It will only be a hinderance to them in the future when it comes to health, Social gatherings or just the Kids at school Teasing them. In the long run they are better off if they are not Obese.

[depate99]

Ummm, yeah!!  And make some healthy meals at home.

[Pplaya123]

If I had children, I would make them go on a diet without hesitation! It is a mother's duty to make sure her child is healthy and safe. It is very sad how the numbers of obese children grow every year. Parents need to teach their children how to respect and take care of their bodies so they can get into the habit of being healthy. Healthy lifestyles at an early age would most likely result in healthy lifestyles when older.

[dreamongirl]

i think it depends on the age. i don't know if it's good to call it a diet. but the parents shouldn't let there kids eat whatever they want. it scary to see a kid with a lot of weight on them. make them eat healthy and play and run.. whenever i have kids i can't let them get big, i'll be to upset !!!

[kpopg33k]

well...no. i think there should be a household lifestyle change. for example....exercise games (wii is usually quite appealing to kids) and family meals, healthy homemade snacks and plenty of fruits and veggies, instead of junk food the occasional chocolate....etc. diets dont work for adults (long term) and they definitely wont help keep the weight off for kids as well.

[dwggs]

Eating habits are a learned experience so if we teach our children to eat good as children
they are less likely to be overweight.

Also, exercise plays a big part in weight .. When we were kids we went outside and played
kickball, tag, hide and seek ... we did not have computers and game consoles to play.

[krissi79]

As a parent we are to care for our child's needs.. SO yes if a child is over weight we should make healthy lifestyle changes for the whole family

[opalpapp]

yes i think if the kid is over weight a diet would be good for them along with exercise .

[ejholt]

Yes, they should.  My oldest daughter was big when she was in high school and I took her to weight watchers.  She followed the diet and she lost down to where she should have been.  Everyone should watch their weight and stay healthy.  I weight more than I have ever have and I need to lost about 30 pounds.  But it is harder when you get older and I am 71 years old.  May God bless each of you and keep you safe.