UK parents arrested for neglect because their child is too fat
Being obese is not a crime. But letting a child get that way is.
A couple in Norfolk, UK, was arrested a couple of months ago on suspicion of cruelty and neglect of their child.
The British press reported on the case recently.
Their 11-year-old son is 1.55m tall and weighs more than 95kg. His body mass index (BMI) is a shocking 41.8, reported The Sun.
A person with a BMI above 27.5 is considered to be at high risk, according to the Health Promotion Board.
Intervention at such a level is rare and occurs only when other attempts to protect the child have proven unsuccessful, BBC News quoted the police as saying.
The 49-year-old father and the 44-year-old woman are out on bail.
The boy's teachers had apparently contacted social services after becoming concerned by his increasing weight.
The Telegraph quoted the boy's father as saying: "Our son’s favourite snack is steamed broccoli - and he’s still big.”
Source: The Telegraph, The Sun, BBC News
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