Gosh the debate areas been a bit quiet of late, so i think its time to start a new thread...

British papers and news stories are filled at the moment with the 8 year old boy whos 14 stone and the 9 year old girl wearing an adult size 18 clothes!!

How do Australia and Britain differ on this matter, and more importantly, why? Or dont they.....

here goes.....................

Same here as there.
That was a quick debate :lol: wasn't it

Data analysis of three recent cross-sectional surveys by Dr Michael Booth from the Centre for the Advancement of Adolescent Health at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children indicates that approximately 25% of Australian children and adolescents are currently overweight or obese. A 20% increase since 1996.


In the year 2000, the United States had the dubious distinction of having the world’s highest proportion of overweight adults. Recent statistics indicate that the unfortunate mantle of the world’s fattest nation may have passed to Australia. First or second is irrelevant. The simple fact is that this is a podium finish, we would rather not have.

Personally I think its disgusting that parents can let their children get fat. I think the Government should have put the child in care just to set an example. I've seen it here in Adelaide and people just stare at them as they wait in the KFC queue.

The Kids rule these days. What can you do?

I take it all your children are skinny then pommygirl ?
Have you ever heard of metabolism? if not I think you should find out about it before judging others Parenting skills.

Cookie <_<

i think PG was refering to parents that let their kids stuff themselves with cake, crisps, coke, kfc, mcdonalds, ice cream, etc.
you know, all that crap.

If that little lard had a dodgy metabolism it would have been reported. The article wouldn't have been focussed the way it was if there were a medical reason for it.

As for questioning Pommy's comments, presenting little fatty's dinner to him whilst he's on the sofa watching TV and brazenly saying that she gives him all the crappy food "because he won't eat anything else" kinda demonstrates a complete lack of parenting skills in my view.

Or maybe were you watching a different report?

Yes I was and thank you.

And for the record cookie, if you read my signature I don't have any kids and yes if I did have them they would be "skinny little runts" as that mother of that 14 stone blubber quoted. Rather them be skinny than have health problems caused by obesity due to an unhealthy diet.

the quality of size 18 clothing in the UK is far superior to clothing which can be purchased in OZ

FredG Posted on Mar 1 2007, 11:07 AM

"that little lard" and "little fatty's"

Pommygirl Posted on Mar 1 2007, 01:47 PM

"that 14 stone blubber"

I'm a firm believer in difference of opinion and freedom of speech but I find it extremely difficult to accept the opinion of anyone who, in their passing judgement on a parent, can refer to a child in such a way. If it wasn't so offensive, the idiocy of it would be hilarious!

Alan.

The Fat git is spoilt by his mummy, think it was reported that he threw tantrums when she gave him healthy food, so she gave in. Too right he needs taking away and his chubby a**e needs spanking.

Stevo.

I haven't seen the news reports that you are all relating to but may i add that my nephew has a gene deficiency called pre-de willi syndrome. It basicly means that he will always be hungry and will eat himself to death .With this syndrome he also has ortistic tendancies which can make him violent at times. He is now 21 yrs old and 19 stone. My sister is so scared of him that she cannot say no to him.He has been in a special school all his life and only comes home for a weekend every 8 weeks.
People are too quick to judge without knowing the facts.Alot of people have medical conditions that aren't public knowledge and everyone should be taken as an individual.
I'd rather have one "fat " friend than 5 "two faced back stabbing" ones ????
Bob

Only quoting mummy.

stevo.

this big bloke said to me the other day, 'You're fattist you are!'

to which I replied, 'No, you're fattest!'


;)

Theres a difference between medical conditions and just greed.

Obviously if the boy in question had a medical problem the story wouldnt have been reported the way it has.

I think its very depressing to see children ( and adults) as grossly overweight as some are now.

Still when aged hippy charlie gets to the throne all those big macs and KFC bargain buckets will all be sent straight to the tower!!

What annoys me is that my kids (all slim, normal hieght, weight ratio!!) cant get clothes to fit them.
Thats cos everything is bieng made bigger round the middle so's to cater for these over weight kids .
That means if i buy to fit my kids waists ,the trousers are up around their calfs ! :D
At least if we make it out there, they can all wear shorts. ;)
I say if you dont buy the crappy food they cant eat it.
You need to start the healthy eating when the kids are young,lead by example, nothing wrong with the odd mc donald kentucky etc. everything in moderation.
When i was at school ,many moons ago :sigh: , you always had one big kid in school .
Now you have a few in each form. It is a real shame ,i feel sorry for the kids.
It said on the news today that obesity will soon overtake smoking as the major killer in Britain.
Think about it ,if the kids are so heavy at such a young age ,and dont have someone to help change their eating habits,what hope do they have once the middle age spread sets in,if they make it to middle age that is.

I saw an ad the other day on a billboard with an obese child and the statement that went something like "todays obese children will die aged 51 and the UK pension crisis will cease" Something in that <_< Nature, survival of the fittest and all that.

I completely agree with you Alan.
Are these grown adults calling Children names like that ? or are they from the children's section of the forum.
If they are adults they should be ashamed of themselves and I for one praise the lord they don't have kids if thats the sort of example they would set them.
We wonder why children get bullied in school, four eyes, big ears, Fat git. not surprising with parents like that is it.

Pommygirl, No I dint read your signature but by reading your post you would think you were some sort of ideal parent.
If or when you do have children please don't instill your values into them and the world will be a better place.
FredG and Steve bow your heads in Shame.

Just for the record I have 2 over weight children both very active.
You have none, so don't judge me or any other parent.

C

I really think you have to be so careful of making such sweeping and generalised statements as "Personally I think its disgusting that parents can let their children get fat." Yes in the case in question I do believe that the mother has been drastically misguided in the way that she has handled her son's food intake and that you do need to instill in children the meaning of the word "no". However saying that any children who are overweight is down to the parents is equally misguided. I am one of 3 children - there's me, my sister and brother. Both my sister and I are overweight and have been since childhood but our brother is athletic and slim. We were brought up by the same parents eating the same foods ( and no not fast food crap as we couldn't afford it) so how can the blame be put on our parents??

I have the same situation with my 2. Laura is a big girl but Tom is very slim. They eat the same meals and if anything Laura has a better diet than Tom as she eats a wider range of fruit, veg etc. So does that mean I'm being a bad parent to Laura and not to Tom?? :unsure:

How many programmes on tv focusing on real issues are well balanced programmes?
Many put their own slant on things, focus on only certain areas of the issue and thus become controversal which boosts their ratings.

Ali

Praise the Lord my two are not overweight, and that they've been brought up to eat healthy and be healthy, praise the lord.

Stevo.

NO WORRIES MATE

Onya mate.

Stevo.

BONZER

are you a mate of cookie oh holy one.

Stevo

NO MY SON, I AM NOT...

ISN'T COOKIE THAT FAT ONE?

What a crock of s**t !!!!!!!!
This is basicly saying that a "normal" size is 8-10, and anyone looking for a 14-16 is a freak !!!! What a perfectlife you live. NOT !!!!

I am aware that I have remarked on this before, but I see that I have to do it again...

could you please review, and if necessary, spell check responses prior to posting.

You see this does help the reader comprehend the responses in the manner in which they are supposed to be received. Put simply, if responses scan they then make appropriate sense...


thank you for your attention in this matter...

'...could you make mine a large fries please? Oh, and what drink? I'll have a diet c**e thanks'. :unsure:

Red 1 ,
if you read my reply again, thats not what i said. :sigh:
I myself am a size 14 and 5 foot 11 ins so im not an 8/10 petite lady!!.
When i was a child/teenager, i was slim , only getting bigger once turning 40 and after 3 kids.
Im not saying i have a perfect life at all, or perfect kids, just ones that have to have big darts taken in all there trousers :D
This is a debate where people post oppinions .
Maybe your just trying to keep it going a bit longer!
Did you read all the other posts on the subject? look at page 1 and if your upset by what i said ,you'll really blow up when you read them :sign68:

MMMMMMMMMMMMM food for thought.

LYNETTE PINCHESS: GIVE THEM THE RIGHT FOODS


11:00 - 02 March 2007

My heart goes out to poor 14st youngsters Connor McCreaddie and Samantha Hames.

Aged just eight and nine, these obese children face a lifetime of bullying, ridicule and serious health complications unless they radically change their eating habits.

It begs the question: How on earth were they allowed to get so fat?

I don't believe in a nanny state but there comes a point when the authorities must intervene in cases which are tantamount to child abuse.

The mothers probably think they're being kind giving their kids the food they crave.

"It's agony seeing my daughter this size," bleated Samantha's 17st mother Angela.

The words "stable door", "horse" and "bolted" spring to mind. They should have had specialist help long before now.

What kind of society, which saw two dog owners prosecuted for over-feeding their pet, lets children balloon to such extreme weight from stuffing their faces with chocolate, chips and other junk from morning to night?

Didn't teachers, school nurses or GPs raise concerns?

Or isn't this permitted in case it breaches "human rights"?

The trouble with some parents is they're too soft.

It's easier to give in to a youngster's demands and shut them up with a packet of crisps or a chocolate biscuit than to say no.

Parents have a duty to be responsible and put their foot down even if it makes them 'the bad guy'. But don't just say no, explain why some foods are healthier than others and that cakes and chips should be eaten only as occasional treats.

Sadly, I fear it may be too late to crack the habits of Connor and Samantha.

Imagine coaxing Samantha, who scoffs a 500g bar of Galaxy every day and says: "Chocolate is the only thing I live for" to swap that for a packet of raisins and some carrot sticks.

Children need to be put on the right track from birth.

Instead of expensive jars of baby food I weaned my daughter on mashed carrot, potato and banana - it's not expensive, doesn't take long to prepare and is fresh and nutritious.

When she was a toddler we used to make 'faces' for lunch with bits of cucumber for eyes, sweetcorn for hair and tomato noses.

Now, at nine, she's healthy, enjoys a balanced diet and appreciates good food.

She's tried - and loves - scallops, duck and even snails.

Crisps are a treat each Friday and we visit McDonalds every couple of months.

I've known parents ban toddlers from having crisps but that doesn't work. I witnessed one such kid stuffing Wotsits into his mouth like no tomorrow at a birthday party after being deprived.

Balance and moderation are the key. As parents we owe it to our children

Stevo.

Its just wrong to be verbally abusing the children, its tantamount to bullying of the type they will get in the playground everyday at school!!!

The fault does lie at the door of the mother/parents but the social welfare departments must take a high degree of blame. Isn't that a primary reason why large budgets are put into social work departments - to look after the welfare of children.

The short/medium term answer isn't taking these kids away from the home as they look as if they are are in a generally safe and loving environment (though that is the ultimate sanction), but making sure that the detriments and consequences of this type of living is hammered home to those charged with the care and that nutrionists and doctors are used for diet improvements and regular monitoring to assist in the weight loss programmes.

which social work depts are these mate?

Another thought on little Conner?

http://earthops.org/munchausen/munchausen.html



quite rare, controversial, but possible......

The same social work departments to which a large amount of my Council Tax went into enlarging the department budget, paying very good salaries and an ever increasing head count. A growth area for employment.

Silly me, I thought that was a parents job?

You miss the point completely...yes, in the first instance it is the parents responsibility but what happens when the parent abdicates that responsibility, who is to look after the childs welfare if the parent isn't doing it? A major 'raison d'etre' of social welfare departments and I include schools, etc., is to look after the interests of children - in these type of cases, their lack of earlier intervention has put children at risk - albeit not in a way which is generally considered 'at risk'.

Damned if you do damned if you don't, having worked in social services for many years, (previous life before I became a nurse), I have seen it first hand parents 'who can't be bothered' but as soon as someone intervenes they are the first ones to start shouting 'BIG BROTHER' ect.
If you are making your child sick the authorities should not be sitting on there hands doing nothing.
My stance on this... take away the womens benefits and give her food parcels containing a healthy diet with instructions.....job done

Society has some huge, stupid problem with being the "ideal" body size. In a lot of cases, people who are their "ideal" body weight generally look TOO skinny and unhealthy.

However, that kid in England is OBESE. If it was a genetic problem, ok, that can't be helped but they haven't said he has. From what the mother of the child has said, that kid has her wrapped around his little finger and he's able to get what he wants. A lot of the blame should be laid on the mother.

liam

...so you're now agreeing with me! :D

Isn't it interesting how these debates always seem to bring in-depth comments from new users, in this case to defend themselves (against what I don't know).

Hands up all those who suspect a second log-on in use here.