How Childhood Obesity is Child Abuse
The connection is clear as day
Pulled from Cornell Law School: Abuse is defined as “an action that intentionally causes harm or injures another person. This can refer to physical abuse, psychological abuse, mental abuse, or child abuse…”
Also pulled From Cornell: “Under the Federal Child Abuse prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), child abuse refers to ‘any recent act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver that results in death, serious physical or emotional harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation, or an act or failure to act that presents an imminent risk of serious harm’.”
The law is rather clear. The “or” says it all. Meaning any of these, not all.
To cut to the point quickly, childhood obesity should be classified as child abuse. Following the defined points outlined by Cornell, here’s how it can be likened to abuse:
- Physical — Obesity causes abundant physical health issues. These health risks include things like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea (which prevents proper REM sleep, which prevents proper cellular repairs and such), osteoarthritis, the list goes on…
- Physiological — Obesity causes physiological changes. These alterations are wide ranging as well. The body isn’t functioning as it should and is far more susceptible to incur hypertension, dyslipidemia (too many of one or more kinds of fatty tissue), increased risk of stroke, etc.…
- Mental — This is an easier one to spot. A poor self image, a lesser quality of life, and general depression are common with obesity.
If a child arrives at school with signs of physical abuse, the school teachers/staff are “mandatory reporters”. What this means is that if a child comes into school and has been physically harmed, they are required to report it.
The trauma of most physical abuse will always outlast the abrasion, bruise, cut or immediate pain suffered. That is why it is crucial to investigate and work to bring a child into safety and away from the danger they may be in.
Childhood obesity shouldn’t be seen any different. We must ensure protections for children and help those who are raised in a way that will continue to lead to their overall unhappiness and an unhealthy future — no exceptions.
Childhood obesity should be considered child abuse.
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