NO - DR CHRIS HANVEY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, ROYAL COLLEGE OF PAEDIATRICS and CHILD HEALTH
We feel strongly that obesity is primarily a public health problem, not a child protection issue. There may be a few families that give cause for concern where there are other matters of neglect or emotional harm and this is where paediatricians would have discussions with children's services. We continue to be concerned about the high numbers of children who are obese or overweight.
YES - TAM FRY, BOARD MEMBER, NATIONAL OBESITY FORUM
Although taking a child away from its family should be used only in extreme circumstances, there is little difference between a child who is obese and a child who is severely undernourished. In both cases, neglectful parenting is the issue and, in the latter case, we would not think twice before placing the child into care. We should have the same care in mind for someone so unhealthily overweight. I am surprised that few health professionals have acknowledged this in the past; it is high time that it was seriously considered.
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