Is childhood obesity child abuse or society abuse?

There has been a lot in the news lately about the child who reached 555 pounds. The mother was charged with child neglect. Now a debate is underway whether she can be charged with child abuse.

A child doesn't go from 90 pounds to 555 pounds overnight, not even over a year. This is a weight gain that was happening over years.

I feel for the child and for the family. I ask myself:

• Did the child see a pediatrician?
• What kind of help was she was provided to change lifestyles?
• What about the school? They certainly must have been seeing this child grow to an obviously, unhealthy state.
• What kind of nutrition program was the child getting in school?
• Was the child getting regular exercise in school?
• If the mother seeked help, would the insurance company pay for individual and family nutrition counseling?

What do you think?

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