Wednesday, July 13, 2011

...Dr. David Ludwig

Dr. David Ludwig is taking some heat after he wrote that parents of obese children should lose custody of their children for not controlling their weight. Dr. David Ludwig, an obesity specialist at Harvard-affiliated Children's Hospital Boston, said the point isn't to blame parents, but rather to act in children's best interest and get them help that for whatever reason their parents can't provide. Roughly 2 million U.S. children are extremely obese. Most are not in imminent danger, Ludwig said. But some have obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, breathing difficulties and liver problems that could kill them by age 30. Though a lot of times healthier food cost more and many families find it cheaper and easier to buy fast food, in the long run it is horrible. If the child is removed form the home they will be monitored and they will not be able to eat whatever whenever they want. In Ludwig's article he discussed a few kids that were taken a way from their family. Ludwig said he starting thinking about the issue after a 90-pound 3-year-old girl came to his obesity clinic several years ago. Her parents had physical disabilities, little money and difficulty controlling her weight. Last year, at age 12, she weighed 400 pounds and had developed diabetes, cholesterol problems, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Out of medical concern, the state placed this girl in foster care, where she simply received three balanced meals a day and a snack or two and moderate physical activity. After a year, she lost 130 pounds. Though she is still obese, her diabetes and apnea disappeared, but she remains in foster care. Though many think the idea of taking a child away from their parent is extreme I see nothing wrong with it. It would be unpopular but so are a lot of things at 1st, no matter how right or wrong they may be in the end. I would like to see this happen in all 50 states. If a child can be taken away because of abuse, neglect, etc. why not this as well? In many ways it is a form of neglect and abuse. I am giving Dr. David Ludwig a Digit Up for putting this idea out there. i do hope is catches on.

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