Why do Some People think that Childhood Obesity is Cute??

Have you ever noticed that some people tend to think fat children are cute? A co-worker was telling me about her younger sister and how cute she was. She said her chubby cheeks and tummy were just adorable. I saw a picture and the girl was just plain fat. She was 5 years old, and already obese. I think this is very sad and far from "cute"
I've heard other parents/people say these things about young children. Am I the only one who does not find this cute but appalling?

I agree with you. My husband is probably tired of seeing me get so upset. When I see a small child severely overweight it just upsets me. They can't even participate in normal childrens' activities. I think about their little hearts pumping so hard, their muscles straining to carry the extra weight, and their social development suffering because they can't keep up with the other kids. In my town, most of these kids come from families with bad eating habits and lacking exercise. I have one cousin who has 5 children. They are all severely obese, and now she's pregnant again with #6. The mom herself is well over 300 pounds as is the Dad. I think its one of the most hurtful things a parent can do to their children. If they are chubby while being children and at the peak of their physical being - what's it going to be like as they age and exercise requires a lot more effort and dedication? Don't get me wrong I'm not a lean mean muscle machine, but I will tell you right now I will not be doing this to my children. We eat a very nutritious diet and don't even purchase junk food to come in our home. That doesn't mean I don't let me son have chips at a local picnic, or a piece of cake at a party - but I don't give him those things on a regular basis. *sorry so long, you struck a nerve, its one of my major pet peeves!*

I think that it may start as a " my kid is bigger then your kid thing". My 17 month old is very healthy and lean. He is pretty active and by no means skinny, but my husbands cousin has a baby 3 months younger and they are always trying to tell me that my son is small, when really their baby is overweight. I think it is sad and will catch up with their child when he gets older, but they are constantly shoving food in his mouth. It may be a little cute now that he's young, but when he gets older it will just be sad.

I actually think chubby babies are cute but not after they hit 1.5 yo. That's just the parents feeding the child the wrong foods. My family went out to dinner a couple days ago and watched a 7 yo eat an entire pizza and cheese sticks by himself, talk about not wanting to eat after that. His mom wasn't overly big and she had a to-go box already while sitting there waiting on her child to finish all of his food, this just makes me sick to think that you'd let your child live a life that will be ended so soon.

My personal opinion is that they don't want to admit they are fat too and change their lifestyle. Fat adults usually have fat kids. If the adult is skinny and the child is fat, I've often seen that the weight is due to emotional issues and overeating. Its hard to admit to an eating problem, much less recognize that they are leading their children down the same path.

I was ten pounds when I was born. My entire family is obese (I'm not talking just a little fat) It's not cute and it's not healthy. I have to exercise 5 days a week and I can't eat everything I want to. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I made sure that I didn't gain too much weight. She was 7 pounds at birth and luckily follows in her fathers footsteps. She is petite and thin and lovely. Parents need to be in control of themselves and their children. For the sake of good health at least!

I don't know. Maybe it's a result of pediatricians using outdated weight charts that are based solely on formula fed babies? So if your child is really low in the percentiles the pediatricians push and push and push for the kid to gain weight.

So parents now think that kids are supposed to be chubby? Who knows?

They think their kids will grow into it.

i agree...my 4 month old is a chunk and thats cute...but a 5 year old that looks like her parents feed her mcdonalds and pizza everyday is just wrong. and i really feel sorry for the child. overweight children will most likely have weight problems their entire lives...its just sad...

i think its a little cute if it is clearly baby fat and if the kid is just a little chubby in the cheeks or something. but i do not think it is cute if the kid is just plain fat that could develop into a problem.

I think that close relatives often cant see that a kid is fat...because it creeps up ...a relative of mine has a fat 4 year old and didnt realise it until my Mum pointed it out gently...my relative was devastated that she had let t happen.

I don't find it cute. I find it abusive! Obviously the child's mother has a problem and doesn't know how to withhold snacks. She probably eats all day herself. It's an awful thing to do to a child.

I don't know, its just disgusting to me.
Besides, thats bad health, and a kid like that, could die from being so big.

Is dying cute? No.

It's not cute , an it needs to be fixed. These poor kids are going to grow up with all sorts of health problems. It's sad.

I dont, but theres old beliefs that a chubby baby is a healthy baby. Which is totally untrue.

YEAA I DONT GET THAT THE KID IS GONNA GROW UP FATT AND GET LAUGHED AT DEF NOT A GOOD THING ONLY FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS IF ITS FAT BABY BUT WHEN IT STARTS WALKING ITSS DEF NOT

The people that think it's cute are the obese people that live at Mcdonalds. It's nasty!

coz children are supposed to look cute that way....beeing thin is considered sickly...my mom used to think this way..and scolded me coz i was thin

I don't find it cute at all. I think its rather sad and feel sorry for the kid.

i think its disgusting and i can't believe how some parents let their kids eat the way they do when they are so fat.

Fat babies are ugly!

They are easy to catch.