Ethical Approaches to Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity interventions should follow the ethical principle of not causing harm to children. Overweight and obese children are often teased in school and ridiculed for not fitting in. Bringing attention to a child’s weight can cause unintentional psychological harm that may lead to eating disorders (Austin, 2011) or other unhealthy habits. Jennifer A. O’Dea (2010) writes that “the risk of obese children and their parents adopting fad weight loss regimes is something that health educators need to be certain to avoid” (p.32); childhood obesity prevention policies must consider the health of the child by implementing plans that promote gradual change.  Focusing on nutrition, rather than weight loss, allows children of all sizes to strive for the same goal. Incorporating new nutrition and exercise plans can be difficult, but gradually introducing them into schools and homes, and understanding that change is not expected overnight, reduces the chance that children will develop negative attitudes towards obesity prevention programs.

Austin, S. (2011). [Commentary on] The Blind Spot in the Drive for Childhood Obesity Prevention: Bringing Eating Disorders Prevention Into Focus as a Public Health Priority. American Journal Of Public Health, 101(6), e1-4.

O'Dea, J. A., and Eriksen, M. P. (2010). Childhood obesity prevention: International research, controversies, and interventions. Oxford [U.K] ; New York: Oxford University Press.