Is child obesity caused by bad parenting?

[Monica]

Is child obesity caused by bad parenting?

 

[Ravenfreak]

There's two factors that come into play for someone being obese, it could be down to genes or overeating. I don't think it's caused by bad parenting, it's cheaper to buy junk than healthy foods unfortunately. However parents should strive to try and save up money to get better healthier options for their kids.

 

[Sariki]

I think it’s a society thing just to be honest. As well as social disadvantages that are built into the system. But that’s my own perspective

 

[Nebulous]

Right now, inflation is going wild and we're all paying way more for groceries these days. Eating healthy costs more than ever and low cost / less-healthy options are flying of the shelves. Is their a surge of bad parents at the moment or are people being forced to choose between paying the electricity bill or eating high quality healthy foods?

 

[ElegantAura]

Yes, I believe child obesity is mostly the fault of parents, grandparents, or anyone who spends a lot of time feeding the child. A very young child can’t choose their own food, so it’s up to the adults to make the right decisions. Eating unhealthy food, like junk food, doesn’t automatically make a child obese, it may not provide proper nutrition, but obesity comes more from overeating and lack of movement.
When I was growing up, we didn’t have much, and I was underweight, not overweight. Unhealthy food isn’t the main cause of obesity. While there may be rare exceptions, I think many people use those as excuses.

As kids get older, lack of physical activity becomes a bigger factor. Many spend too much time sitting at home on screens, so whatever they eat doesn’t get burned off. But for very young children, their weight is mainly the result of parenting choices.

 

[Cam]

It's a factor, but I wouldn't point to it as the singular cause.

 

[MrDawn]

It's a factor, but I wouldn't point to it as the singular cause.

Yes. Not to mention bad genetics. Some people can have really bad eating habits and weigh 150 lbs or less and won't gain much or not at all, while some will eat and gain up to 600 lbs easy.