UK gov. may take fat kids

[Guest guest]

I don't know what it is about England. They brought us modern democracy and limitations on power with the Magna Carta and Parliament, but they sure are losing their marbles when it comes to regulating the heck out of the citizens.

This also sets a bad precedent because I can easily see them saying that they have to take kids with developmental disorders or serious medical conditions too. I can also see them a little further down the road saying the kids are two expensive to care for and killing them. Of course, they'll say it is being compassionate or something like that, when really it will be all about saving the national healthcare system money.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,404741,00.html

England, Wales Government Councils Propose Taking Obese Children From Parents

Friday, August 15, 2008

A government association representing more than 400 councils in England and Wales said parents of dangerously obese children are at risk of losing them.

The Local Government Association warned that the worst cases of obesity will be increasingly seen as evidence of "parental neglect," and that social workers will have to step in to offer advice to protect the child's welfare.

In the most extreme cases, children could be taken away from parents.

The stark message came as town hall bosses revealed the impact of fat Britain:

— Councils are fitting super-size cremation furnaces to cope with fat corpses

— Ambulances have fitted extra-wide stretchers and winches for obese patients

— Schools are buying bigger seats for classrooms

About 1 in 4 people in England is obese and considered so overweight that it threatens the person's health.

LGA public health spokesman said some councils are already taking actions "where parents are putting children's health in real danger.

"Councils would step in to deal with an under-nourished and neglected child so should a case with a morbidly obese child be different?" he continued. "There needs to be a national debate about the extent to which it is acceptable for local authorities to take action in cases where the welfare of children is in real jeopardy."

Sixteen percent of American children are overweight or obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Efforts have been made in the U.S. to reduce children's access to fast food, soda and snacks, especially in public schools. Fitness guru recently called on Congress to expand gym class offerings in schools. And the city of Los Angeles last month put a moratorium on new fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles, where childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions.Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget? Read reviews on AOL Autos.