Should parents be held responsible for their obese children?

Jemima Hodkinson asks: should parents be held accountable for overweight children? Childhood obesity is a rapidly increasing problem: the Food Ethics Council has described it as “one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century”. read more

But then that might shame the child. Fatness is a touchy subject. I know some nice parents, very caring who have children that qualify as obese. read more

Definitely parents should be responsible. Maybe putting the pressure on parents now will be the first step in emphasizing prevention in our health care system. -Kerry, Northfield, MN. Yes parents should be held responsible for their children’s obesity. Whether a child is overweight or underweight it poses health risks. read more

It is the responsibility of everyone who lives and works with -- and makes decisions involving -- them. Parents, teachers, school administrators, policymakers, and city planners are all responsible for helping to create a childhood obesity crisis. They must all now be responsible for helping to eradicate it. read more