So should it be a crime.....

I would give you a standing ovation if I could.

So your daughter takes her 6 year old out at 11pm and let's her pick a dozen donuts but this isn't about food or choices?  If the parents gave her alcohol or drugs would you be calling the authorities?  Or if she was covered in bruises?  Or she was crying and scared from being bullied, would you help her then?  How is this different, how is this slow death not abuse?  How can we as people who understand the pain of MO just ignore this growing childhood obesity epidemic.  Shouldn't we of all people be the voice of change to end childhood obesity and make wls obsolete.  

No one is saying ignore childhood obesity. Let's say people did as you say, they lock up parents, then what happens to the kids? If they ate their feelings b4, do you think it'll stop once they're put in foster care? Do you think the fee to pay & the bond to pay to get out of jail frees up more money to buy fresh fruits & vegetables?

Tackling childhood obesity is just as challenging adult obesity. Yes learning proper nutrition is one of them, but there are many other factors to consider. Economics is another challenge. Poorer neighborhoods has less access to healthy foods & when they do have access it's usually more expensive.

Think about what appealed to you as a child, Donuts or fruit? You can cut off access to donuts, but like any good addict, you'd still find a way to get your fix.

Think about solutions other than jail time. How about volunteering at your local food co op? Maybe bring in fresh foods or healthy foods to poorer neighborhoods. Reach out to those same kids that you feel are being abused. Work with the parents, there are other things you can do to spread the word of good nutrition.

Damn, I puffy heart love you too!! You and Peach are my heroes of today. Brilliantly said.

For your information my daughter has taken her to many doctors and specialists.  There is nothing wrong with her physically.  Her problems have to do with addiction.

I think that as of now the docs have no idea why some people get MO and others don't.    I woudl argue with:  "There is nothing wrong with her physically" that they can detect. I believe there is something wrong - physically - chemically in that little girl brain and body...I do hope that one day they will be test or tests to find out what it is , and possibly - correct it. 

And young children morbidly obese at 7 years old that are diabetic, does that bother you?  Those statistics are on the rise.  Children's lives cut short by their parents lack of dietary discipline.  This child was physically handicapped by her weight, she struggled to walk, she couldn't fit into children's size clothes so she had to wear adult sizes to cover her body.  She was a sweet young girl who's parents are murdering her slowly.  She needs help.  

You probably look the other way when you see homeless people or stray animals, I don't, I stop and try to help.  I made hundreds of blessing bags to give to the homeless here in San Diego.  I spent my vacation in South Africa trying to give back to local tribes.  Are you aware people are forced to live with a bucket in their house to defecate in and have no clean water to drink?  I was horrified.  I insisted we needed to help.  I cannot look away.  Maybe you can.  You have to live with your own narrow, unfeeling, uncaring view of the world, I chose to try to make it better.  This is one instance outside of my ability to offer help and this child haunts me.

. Have you visited a children's hospital-- there are kids with all sorts of illnesses. Does any child with any illness bother me?? Absolutely.  You assume that child is diabetic- like people probably looked at me and assumed the same (and they were wrong!). My son broke his arm a few years back-- I wonder if people assumed I shoved him down the steps. According to you- if something is wrong in the world there is some nefarious reason for it. Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. Sometimes good people make poor choices. So you helped that child by doing what exactly!? Not buying a donut made you feel better about you.

-- I've been on vacation and let my kids eat junk late at night-- we're on vacation. Maybe that girl did awesome in school-- or maybe donuts are 1/2 price at night?? Or maybe they heard about an awesome donut place they've ever been to-- just like you did-- Funny, you were standing in the line too. Oh wait- you'd only have eaten 'part' of the donut to the 12 they were buying. Would 1 have been more acceptable ?!

You can circle the globe to fill your heart with all your good deeds-- but reality is everything you seek to do in other countries needs to be done right here in the US. I live in an inner city and encounter everything you likely fly first-class to 'help' with here often. My husband grew up as one of those kids who had to defacate in a bucket at times. I live in a city-- homelessness is everywhere. But my path was not set In this world to be a doctor, nurse, or social worker-- I let those professionals do thier work. I do what I can through my work to ensure people have and develop useable skills that will keep or get them employed.

It not my job to save every soul-- and I will not feel guilty for it-- I do My part; and its no better or less than the part you play. 

I puffy heart love you SO DMAN MUCH RIGHT NOW.

Abuse? No. Some examples of abuse:

Breaking a wooden paddle over your kid's ass.

Duct taping them to a chair.

Starving them. 

Forcing them to eat until they vomit.

Berating them until they are huddled in a corner crying.

Buying drugs but not school clothes.

Telling them no one will ever believe them and foster care is a million times worse.

I don't think the parents should be arrested, the whole family needs counseling. There is more behind the scenes thing going on. I don't know about you but food was love in my house growing up, it was also a comfort, especially when I got teased at school, food was my friend & I learned that pretty early in life.

I'm guessing the parents also have an emotional connection to food so how can you punish someone for that? 

In the end we're all guessing, we don't know what's going on in their life & its way too easy to judge based on appearances. We know how that feels & I wouldn't want to do it to anyone else.