the 14 stone kid

[Siouxsie]

whats your opinion on this/?

[rex3]

is the problem genetics?

[Lauren]

Originally posted by rex3
is the problem genetics?

Not as far as they can tell.

The mother says she has a problem feeding him 3 square meals a day because he whinges between meals and the mother just feeds him to just him up. :rolleyes:

[MarkWaldorf]

I have my views on obese people, and they're pretty strong so I'm keeping them to myself. I don't hate people who are genitcally obese, I just find it annoying that people who eat loads moan about their weight when they're to blame.

[rex3]

I dont know, its quite hard to understand that. I watched that docu on C4 about that 1/2 a tonne man. the restult was more clinical. He had a reduction in some hormone, which tells the brain when to stop eating.

I think there must be some clinical problem rather, than the mother wanting to kill her son.

[Lauren]

Well there could be a problem with the lateral hypothalamus/ventro-medial hypothalamus which means in human speak that there is a problem with his "On-off" switch of hunger.

[i][b]Post Edited - Red[b][i]

[Siouxsie]

he eats burgers on toast
sausage on toast
and they are just snacks after his main meal which consists of 3 yorkshire puds chips etc

[tinkerbell]

I couldnt belive he was 8! I thaught he was at least 12!

The mum doesnt want to be blamed but she is the one cooking all that crap, she made him like 4 toast with loadsa butter!

[Siouxsie]

she says she is depressed

[Sophii3x]

I feel sorry for him.:sad:
He just needs to make the effort to lose weight, or he'll have a heart attack by the time he's 20.

[i][b]Post Edited - Red[b][i]

[abs]

Originally posted by Lauren
Originally posted by rex3
is the problem genetics?

Not as far as they can tell.

The mother says she has a problem feeding him 3 square meals a day because he whinges between meals and the mother just feeds him to just him up. :rolleyes:

well if that is the case, the problem is the mother, to weak minded!

[GiRTh]

I saw this programme and I think he has an eating disorder like Prader Willi or binge eating disorder or something. He just doesn't stop eating and I think he cant help it.

[i][b]Post Edited - Red[b][i]

[Mrluvaluva]

Quote from Sky News

"An obese eight-year-old boy may be taken into care today for the sake of his health."


Maybe it's for the best?

[Ruth]

I agree with GRiT, that he may well have an eating disorder, which is no joke. His mother isn't helping though. That boy will be lucky to make it to the age of 30 if something isn't done - and fast.

[GlitterEyes]

I think the fact he is only 8 years old has alot to do with it. At 8 years old a child doesn't care about "Image" or realise that what he eats is actually bad for him as much as a teenager or adult does. His mother is 100% to blame or parents even for feeding him such junk food. I feel the issue is with the parent as it is "easier" to throw him a packet of crisps or a chocolate bar than to cut up an apple or something similar. I think putting the child in care is the best for him unless his mother/parents actually act and start him on a serious diet and get him some medical help.

I think adults/teens who are obese is another matter but I don't think an 8 year old should be in charge of his food intake thats down to the parents...and its the parents who are being lazy rather than the child. Not many parents these days take the kids out to the park or on a bike ride..they would rather shove the child in front of the tv/pc "out of the way".

[GiRTh]

His mum did seem to have a bit of an attitude but she has been diagnosed as clinically depressed. I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

[i][b]Post Edited - Red[b][i]

[~Kizwiz~]

A child of 8 doesnt know how to cook healthy food. Children eat whats on their plate. However they can say what they want to eat and as a parent it is up to them to decide if its healthy or not.

I do find it shocking that people take the Michael! This is a serious issue and I dont think it should be laughed at.

[i][b]Post Edited - Red[b][i]

[Psylocke]

Disgusting.
mothers and Goverenments fault.
The kid is as good as dead

[GlitterEyes]

I agree with Kiz it is a serious issue and many children are obese..its the parents role to watch what they eat. If a child is given the option of a chocolate cake or a fruit salad and placed on the table I think most kids would pick the unhealthy option. This is not the childs fault it is down to tv adverts and the parents...an 8 year old cannot afford to buy food...the parents put the junk in the trolleys at the supermarker. Ok a "treat" is nice every now and then for kids but not in the place of healthy food.

[Mrluvaluva]

Parent is definitely to blame for feeding the child crap.

[Lauren]

It's obviously the parents fault but the government need to take steps to ensure he gets exercise during PE periods at school etc. The mother needs to get her act together or the kid is on a fatal path of burgers and it'll be messy.

[i][b]Post Edited - Red[b][i]

[MarkWaldorf]

Personally if he feels comfortable eating burgers on toast and all the other crap he eats on a regular basis, then he's obviously ok with being obese/fat.

[i][b]Post Edited - Red[b][i]

[GlitterEyes]

He is 8 years old he won't even know what obese means. He doesn't know the dangers because he hasn't been told or stopped from eating unhealthy foods. An 8 year old needs teaching about healthy eating...and thats down to the parents who go out shopping putting crisps, chocolate etc in the shopping basket....an 8 year old doesn't but the food that is in the house.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by GlitterEyes
He is 8 years old he won't even know what obese means.

Well he's been to meetings with nutritionists and all sorts, I'm pretty sure he's in the know.
Also, we were all 8 years old and we weren't all heffers like that.

[MarkWaldorf]

Originally posted by GlitterEyes
He is 8 years old he won't even know what obese means. He doesn't know the dangers because he hasn't been told or stopped from eating unhealthy foods. An 8 year old needs teaching about healthy eating...and thats down to the parents who go out shopping putting crisps, chocolate etc in the shopping basket....an 8 year old doesn't but the food that is in the house.

You're right, but surely most mothers tell their kids about eating greens, fruit etc. He should be able to take hints of which foods are good for you and which aren't.

[~Kizwiz~]

Thats so true Glittereyes!

Would you all laugh at someone who was too thin??? I dont think so!

[Mrluvaluva]

If that was your kid, would you want the responsibility, and the heartache, of killing someone you loved on your hands, by feeding them crap and making them obese? I know I wouldn't, and I'd do something to change that (not that I would do it in the first place).

[~Kizwiz~]

He is an 8 year old boy, I have an 8 year old, and I make sure she eat healthy and only has fatty food or chocolate in moderation. I think if they were allowed to kids would eat what the hell they liked. Its up the the parents to stop it and control it!

Its the mother that should be ashamed!

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Markus™
Originally posted by GlitterEyes
He is 8 years old he won't even know what obese means. He doesn't know the dangers because he hasn't been told or stopped from eating unhealthy foods. An 8 year old needs teaching about healthy eating...and thats down to the parents who go out shopping putting crisps, chocolate etc in the shopping basket....an 8 year old doesn't but the food that is in the house.

You're right, but surely most mothers tell their kids about eating greens, fruit etc. He should be able to take hints of which foods are good for you and which aren't.


I hated veg & salad as a kid, but was made to eat it as it was healthy. Imagine if I wasn't, and just given junk food all the time. Thanks mum.

[Sophii3x]

Has he been taken into care then?
Or are they just talking about it?

[GlitterEyes]

No child LIKES fruit and veg...but you get taught to eat them by responsible parents. The parent in question is very irresponsible...she should of seen he was larger than his friends and cut down on the sweets instead of continueing to give the child what it wants. It seems like the 8 year old runs the house because the parents easily gave into his demands...of course once the parent has given in once the child thinks cool I get sweets if I nag mum until she gives in.

Seeing a plate of healthy greens out on the table and a pack of smarties...children get attracted to "pretty things" and the colourful sweets are alot more appealing to the child..same with packaging of the foods...the parent is there to control the intake of food and look after the well being of the child. It is obvious that the parent has let the child get overweight therefore the parent needs help on how to help their child aswell as the child needing to loose weight with the help of medical advice.

[Red Moon]

[b]IMPORTANT

This is a serious debate and as a such should attract serious replies to posts. It is not an excuse for cheap jokes about people with weight problems. Some people could have found those jokes deeply offensive. They have now been removed from the topic and the thread reopened.

If you don't have something serious say don't post to the thread this rule apllies to all the serious debates!

Red[b]

[Lauren]

Originally posted by GlitterEyes
of course once the parent has given in once the child thinks cool I get sweets if I nag mum until she gives in.

Yeah, thats the case here I think cos the mother said that she started giving him snacks between meals and now he demands it and whinges cos he's hungry so she keeps on feeding him the snacks, so he just eats.... and eats... and eats!!

[Mrluvaluva]

On news just now, he's been allowed to stay at home.

[GiRTh]

I think there is too much blaming the parent here. His mother has been diagnosed clinically depressed. This means that she basically can't cope - theres more to it than that but for the sake of this post..

The family need help, the mother in particular.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by BAZG
On news just now, he's been allowed to stay at home.

He should be made to go to mandatory fat camp or something, it'll help him in the long run.

[GlitterEyes]

I think it is certainly a cry for help on the parents part and the fact he can stay at home shall be good for both of them hopefully. The mother can seek help on how to help him loose weight and also seek help for her needs. I don't think it is JUST the parents fault but surely other family members could also see that the child has a serious issue with his weight so should of mentioned it to the mother....or even friends of the family.

If the parent had of nipped it into the bud it wouldn't of got out of hand and that is why parents I feel should carefully monitor what their children eat. The fact it is all out in the open now is good because she can get whatever help she needs to attempt to her her and her childs life back on track. Also other parents who have watched the show it will help give them a bit of a kick up the butt and to start thinking about what their own kids eat.

[Sophii3x]

Originally posted by BAZG
On news just now, he's been allowed to stay at home.

That's a relief for the mother!
I saw him on the news yesterday. He did say that he was going to try and eat veg and fruit and go on his trampoline.

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by GlitterEyes
I don't think it is JUST the parents fault but surely other family members could also see that the child has a serious issue with his weight so should of mentioned it to the mother....or even friends of the family.




It is ultimately the parents responsibility, and if they do not look after their kids properly, then they should not be allowed to have them in the first place.

[GlitterEyes]

Yeah but what I am saying is if she is having problems too...it is not entirely her fault...it is hard enough being a parent sometimes without any medical issues but family members must of also seen the child has issues and would of had a word with the mother. Now if the mother HAS been told by various friends and members of the family and chosen to ignore it then thats very irresponsible and she doesn't deserve to keep the child.

[Mrluvaluva]

The difference is - I would get some help to sort the problem out. No. I would demand it!

[GiRTh]

Originally posted by GlitterEyes
Yeah but what I am saying is if she is having problems too...it is not entirely her fault...it is hard enough being a parent sometimes without any medical issues but family members must of also seen the child has issues and would of had a word with the mother. Now if the mother HAS been told by various friends and members of the family and chosen to ignore it then thats very irresponsible and she doesn't deserve to keep the child.

His grandmother for all intents and purposes looks after him. The mother is to blame but it's not all her fault.

It's a tricky one to call I think they need help and education and not just our moral indignation.

[GiRTh]

Did you see the show? It was pretty tragic and his mother clearly couldn't cope.

Post Editted - Red

[Lauren]

Originally posted by GRiT
Did you see the show? It was pretty tragic and his mother clearly couldn't cope.

She should have enlisted help at the earliest possible stage before it got out of hand and ended up as a fatal problem that she could no longer cope with.
Now they both need help.

Post Editted - Red

[Emilee]

I think it is aweful. To get like that must be soo horrible.

[Red Moon]

[b]IMPORTANT - and for the last time!

This is a serious debate and as a such should attract serious replies to posts. Some people could have found some of the comments deeply offensive. They have now been removed from the topic and the thread reopened.

If you don't have something serious say don't post to the thread this rule apllies to all the serious debates!

Red[b]

[Siouxsie]

to be honest i have the complete opposite problem with my child. i have difficulty in trying to get him to eat.I ve tried him with all sorts of food. (Does that make me a bad mother cos he wont eat) His diet consists of beans bread mashed potatoe he hates meat and veg but will eat burgers he hates fish but loves fruit. I worry about him but he seems fit happy and well. I only hope he changes his diet as he gets older.

[andybigbro]

My Mum told me about this it sounded really upsetting

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Siouxsie
to be honest i have the complete opposite problem with my child. i have difficulty in trying to get him to eat.I ve tried him with all sorts of food. (Does that make me a bad mother cos he wont eat) His diet consists of beans bread mashed potatoe he hates meat and veg but will eat burgers he hates fish but loves fruit. I worry about him but he seems fit happy and well. I only hope he changes his diet as he gets older.

No. It makes you a good mother, because you try to get him to eat, as he doesn't that much. His mother, imo, just feeds him loads of crap on demand because she doesn't give a toss.

[Lauren]

Sue - just make sure your son gets the right amount of protein and carbohydrates in his diet and his fair share of fruit and he will be ok :thumbs: Nothing to worry about, as long as he seems fit and healthy.

[Siouxsie]

yeah but his acked lunches are a nightmare to prepare for school as he wont even take anything a sandwich. It makes me wonder what people think when he opens his sarnies and its only bread and butter. He takes fruit fresh orange drink and a yoghurt.

[Mrluvaluva]

Most kids don't even eat fruit. The point is - you care - and you are trying. Does he have daily spends?

[Siouxsie]

no he gets pocket money at the end of each week

[Mrluvaluva]

Does anyone watch "You are what you eat"?

[Siouxsie]

yes have seen that programme

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Siouxsie
no he gets pocket money at the end of each week

How old is he? If you don't mind me asking.

[Siouxsie]

12
13 in may

[Mrluvaluva]

I am no expert. I'm not a parent. But my nephew has lived with me for the last 3 years. I find, he discovers things he likes, and then gets bored with them in a few weeks, so I try to vary things from week to week, and introduce new things. Sometimes he hates it, and sometimes he loves it. It's a matter of perseverance. I'm sure you will get there soon. I would be more worried about him coming into the "Kevin" years!

[Siouxsie]

my kid is honestly a lovely guy.He is really kind and has a lovely nature. I try not to spoil him too much but ive had no problem with him up to now. Touch wood:thumbs: (sorry of topic a bit )

[Mrluvaluva]

You're very lucky.

[Siouxsie]

yeah i know he has always ben a lovely kid and a really nice baby I love him so much. He is a very grateful child with excellent manners:bawling: got tears in my mind now lol

[Mrluvaluva]

Sounds like you brought him up well.

[Siouxsie]

yep ive done something right . Thats one of the reasons i decided to work with kids. Im quite proud of what ive achieved :blush2:

[Mrluvaluva]

What is it you do then?

[Siouxsie]

work in my local primary school with special educational needs kids. I am a teaching assistant. I work with children who are obese, behavioural probs autistic, aspergers etc. I am also involved with PE and healthy eating and
PHSE (Physical Health Social Education)

[Mrluvaluva]

What a worthwhile job. It must be so fulfilling. Most of us have the boring 9 to 5 and log onto TIBB all day!

[Siouxsie]

so fulfilling hen you see how these kids grow up

and the holidays are good

[Mrluvaluva]

Originally posted by Siouxsie

and the holidays are good


I bet they are!

[Red Moon]

This topic is about Connor McCreaddie the 8-year-old boy who weighs almost 90 kg. Please keep it on topic.

This thread was posted in the Serious Debate section and should be treated as such. It not a general chat subject.

I have spent some time on removing all the cheap jokes on the thread only to login to find it's now gone off topic.

Red

[Siouxsie]

yer ok sorry just got carried away

[Mrluvaluva]

I give up! It was still on the topic. Talking about parenting etc, although a little bit sidelined. I'm logging off now. I've been chastised 3 times today! Goodnight.

[James]

I haven't been following the story but I'm not sure it is fair that the boy is taken into care as the mother could argue that he is only happy when he gets junk food and anything else would make him unhappy.

But I guess she does have a responsibility to feed him right... but its parents that are ultimately responsible for the welfare of their children.

Something about obesity to consider is that in prehistoric times food was scarce so humans have evolved to want to eat whenever they can. Now in the modern world, where food is everywhere, a lot of people can't stop eating.

So it is a genetic thing.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by James
Something about obesity to consider is that in prehistoric times food was scarce so humans have evolved to want to eat whenever they can. Now in the modern world, where food is everywhere, a lot of people can't stop eating.

So it is a genetic thing.

Ooh, a very evolutionary psychologist thing to say there, James :laugh:

We all evolved from the EEA (Prehistoric times) and so why aren't all of us obese if this is the case?

[James]

Well most of us are... almost - according to this 75% of adults in the UK are 'overweight'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/obesity/

We are slaves to our genes in so many ways, I believe.

[Mrluvaluva]

From Sky News - todays target:

'She Can't Stop Eating'
Updated: 10:34, Wednesday February 28, 2007

The mother of a 14 stone nine-year-old girl has spoken about the "agony" of having a grossly overweight child.

Angela Collins, 42, said she has even tried padlocking the kitchen door to stop her daughter Samantha Hames from eating.

But the youngster simply searched the house for the key.

Ms Collins told The Sun newspaper: "Nobody wants her to lose weight more than I do. It's agony seeing my daughter this size.

"People will look at us and assume we're lazy or we're not trying - but it's not true.

"Can you imagine how hurtful it is for a mother to be told they're harming their own child?"


Connor McCreaddie Ms Collins spoke out after a North Tyneside Council agreed to let 14 stone eight-year-old Connor McCreaddie stay with his family.

Social workers had been considering whether the boy should be taken into care for the sake of his health.

But they heard he had lost one-and-a-half stone with a regime of exercise and healthier eating.

Samantha, who wears size 18 clothes, eats a 500g family-size bar of Galaxy every day which she buys with her £10 per week pocket money.

The schoolgirl, from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, says she is more interested in chocolate than DVDs, toys or clothes.

But she admitted she would rather have a figure like US star Beyonce Knowles.

[GlitterEyes]

It makes me wonder if the parents of these children actually spend any time doing activities with their kids. Playing football, going swimming, going on a bike ride etc are all great ways for parents to keep fit too but these days it seems that work/pub comes before some parents which is a shame. If parents are lazy then the child is bound to become lazy also.

Looking at the girls story she says "Chocolate is the only thing I’m interested in. It’s the only thing I live for.” This is another story where the mother claims to "lock the kitchen door with a padlock" yet the child finds the key.

I know this story is in the Sun which raises eyebrows in itself but some of the lines this child has suppose to of said are shocking. She gets a tenner a week pocket money and the mother lets her spend it ALL on chocolate.

"I’m just not interested in spending my money on DVDs, toys or pretty clothes like other little girls. From the moment I get up to the moment I go to bed I think about Galaxy bars.

“I know I’m addicted to it but it’s so creamy and yummy that I can’t stop eating it. I love it.

“All I have to do is see an advert on the telly and I start screaming that I want it now. If my mum won’t buy it, I’ll find a way of getting it myself.

Looking at the mother aswell she isn't the slimest of ladies so maybe she could look at her own health aswell as her childs. Plus back to the boys story someone mentioned she was smoking while cooking which I personally think isn't setting a good example to the child. I was brought up with the parents "being in charge" these days the child seems to run the house and demand things...parents are being too soft.

[Mrluvaluva]

The Story is on other sites such as Sky News, so the currant bun could not have made it up. Just fyi. Oh, and can somebody answer me one thing - how does the girl keep finding the key to the lock? Hide it somewhere properly!

[GlitterEyes]

That makes a change then lol.
The fact it is true makes it even worse a child making a statement basically saying chocolate is what she lives for suggests that she doesn't have anything "fun" to look forward to. The parent needs to make some fun things happen and not all fun things cost money if that is maybe another problem. In the article it says she wants kids, and wants to loose weight to go to some theme park which are positives in the childs mind but the parent/family need to make her realise that won't happen unless she cuts down on unhealthy foods.

Also if the parent has a takeaway on her/his lap while watching tv then of course the child will pick up on that and want that also. Meals should be together and at the table...the child can help set the table/clean up etc and be involved rather than on their pc or watching tv.

I was wondering the exact same thing..both of these parents lock doors and the child finds the key...that excuse is pathetic! They should lock the key within another lock...or carry oy around with them.

[Mrluvaluva]

Actually, the story I quoted was from Sky News. Quote from the currant bun piece now:

"Her desperate mum Angela Collins has even tried padlocking the kitchen door to control her eating.

But Angela, 42, said: “Sam wouldn’t rest until she found the key. She would tear the house apart looking for it.”

Sounds like she does not have much control over her daughter, and there is a lack of discipline in the household.

[GlitterEyes]

Yeah looks like another broken home aswell so a one parent job must be hard at times but I think she should of been able to hide a small key...even if she wore it around her neck lol. If for instance she hid it in easy to reach places then no wonder she found it. Parents hide christmas presents well enough and normally they are bigger than a key so I don't see why she had a hard time hiding it.

[Lauren]

Originally posted by James
Well most of us are... almost - according to this 75% of adults in the UK are 'overweight'.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/hottopics/obesity/

We are slaves to our genes in so many ways, I believe.

If it was genes there would be a definite 100% concordance rate, however there is only 20% that are obese. I agree with you though, in that genes are involved - although I believe the majority of the problem is due to environmental factors.

[Sunny_01]

Originally posted by GlitterEyes
I think the fact he is only 8 years old has alot to do with it. At 8 years old a child doesn't care about "Image" or realise that what he eats is actually bad for him as much as a teenager or adult does. His mother is 100% to blame or parents even for feeding him such junk food. I feel the issue is with the parent as it is "easier" to throw him a packet of crisps or a chocolate bar than to cut up an apple or something similar. I think putting the child in care is the best for him unless his mother/parents actually act and start him on a serious diet and get him some medical help.

I think adults/teens who are obese is another matter but I don't think an 8 year old should be in charge of his food intake thats down to the parents...and its the parents who are being lazy rather than the child. Not many parents these days take the kids out to the park or on a bike ride..they would rather shove the child in front of the tv/pc "out of the way".

I think that you have hit the nail on the head Glitter. In fact I feel that to do what she has done is child cruelty. The stress on that young boys heart at only 8 years old must be huge, this thread links in nicely with the school dinners thread actually. As the parent of an 8 year old the mother is responsible for ensuring that the child eats a well balanced diet.

She needs to get him outside, evn if for only 10 mins at a time to start with, he needs to be out running around, get him a trampoline or something he can enjoy himself on and hide away all the things that make him want to sit on his backside!