Childhood obesity is tantamount to abuse: for the first time since the 1800s, children are expected to live shorter lives than their parents due to obesity.
The well-known, negative health effects of gross overeating are exaggerated at young ages, and parental encouragement of healthy eating and habits is vital to prevent long-term suffering in their children. However, we've seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity over the past few decades. Children's health must be protected if they are to have a chance at succeeding later in life. We propose overweight children are medically screened and their parents are given nutritional plans for them to follow. If health does not improve over time, children should be removed from the abusive home and the parents should be prosecuted.