Swedish court orders obese girl removed from parents care

Yahoo News ^ | AFP

[fdsa2]

STOCKHOLM (AFP) - An appeals court in Sweden has ordered an overweight five-year-old girl removed from her parents' care because they have been unable to curb her weight gain and have put her health at risk.

The Gothenburg administrative court of appeal ruled that the girl, who weighs 43 kilos (95 pounds) or almost twice that of a normal five-year-old, risked lasting health problems if she were to remain in her parents home, court documents showed Thursday.

Doctors found that the girl's legs had been deformed because of her obesity and her ability to walk properly was impeded, court documents said. She was also at risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

A county court in December ordered the girl placed in a foster home, where she has since lost some weight.

But her parents, Aide Bahonjic and Agan Duratovic, had appealed that decision and fought to care for their daughter in their home, arguing they could provide the care she needed and that she was losing touch with her Bosnian heritage and mother tongue.

The appeals court rejected their request, saying they had failed to curb her weight gain when she was in their custody and had repeatedly refused to contact doctors and nutritionists.

Doctors, who first alerted authorities to the girl's weight problem in 2001, have concluded there is no medical explanation for her obesity.

[fdsa2]

I know this is provocative but I have to admit I have mixed feelings about this. Part of me is disgusted by the way the state interfers in our lifes. But at the same time childrens well being is first priority.

These people are obviously unfit (punt unintended) parents and I hope they get the girl fixed up. Obesity (especially among children), which used to be relatively unknown in Sweden is growing and something has to be done to curb it.

Step away from that computer and playstation and pick up that football...

[CSM]

Sweden today, the US tomorrow!

[Charles Henrickson]

her parents, Aide Bahonjic and Agan Duratovic

They obviously put her on a feeding strike in support of Mijailo Mijailovic.

Make her eat lutfisk, then she'll lose weight.

[spunkets]

"used to be relatively unknown in Sweden"

...her parents, Aide Bahonjic and Agan Duratovic. Any bells ring?

Do you image the parents had this girl on cases of donuts?

"A county court in December ordered the girl placed in a foster home, where she has since lost some weight."

All the govm't has to offer is torture by experts.

[fdsa2]

You see a lot of fat little blond kiddies as well. But you can be on to something concerning the lack of cooperation with the children wellfare agency...

[waverna]

"Obviously unfit" because their kid is fat? Thant's a little extreme, don't you think?
(Unless you meant that they're not "fit" in the physical sense. In that case, LOL!)

[WorkingClassFilth]

What bothers me most about this article is the stunning lack of cultural sensitivity the Swedes are displaying toward their immigrant families. Where is their vaunted tolerance towards other cultures? Who is to say that these folks do not esteem obesity as a certain sign of wealth and food sufficiency? Why are the Swedes so willing to elevate their particular prejudice above those of other cultures and people? Oh, the humanity!

[Charles Henrickson]

Smörgåsbord ping to the Swedish Ping List.

[T.Smith]

"Obviously unfit" because their kid is fat? Thant's a little extreme, don't you think?"

I've always thought that parents who allow their children to become obese are child abusers. There is no excuse for a child to weigh TWICE as much as a normal child her age. If she's this fat at age 5, just think how miserable she will be by age 20, if she makes it that long. I'm not a fan of government intervention, but I do believe these are rotten parents (as are most parents of obese children, IMHO).

[expatguy]

bump

[knuthom]

Doctors, who first alerted authorities to the girl's weight problem in 2001, have concluded there is no medical explanation for her obesity.

I suggest the doctors try again. It would be very hard to make a five year old weigh twice her normal weight if you tried. I don't believe that this kind of morbid obesity is just the result of overeating and little activity in a child this age. There is something wrong with the kid. Figure out what it is.

[SheLion]

Sweden today, the US tomorrow!

Yep! The stink travels through the jet stream. It will soon hit the U.S.!

[waverna]

Bingo! My wife is one of eight children, all thin but one. One sister has been obese since childhood. There's obviously something going on there. Some people are just predisposed to being heavy.

In any case I don't think taking children from their parents is the answer. ( can't believe that even has to be said)

[Gabz]

Scary isn't it?

[BOOTSTICK]

Child abuse is child abuse. I was watching a TV show here in the USA and the parent insisted her 3 year old son would not go to bed , without first having his nitely ration of ravioli. The child was about 75 pounds, hopefully the authoities reacted and saved the child from an early grave.

[Nita Nupress]

A form of "child abuse" or not? There ARE no easy answers to that question, but I'm glad it's coming up for discussion. I would love to have the opportunity to talk to the parents of kids like this:

What's the difference between allowing a child to eat like this and emotional abuse or physical abuse?

[Nita Nupress]

Here he is a few years later:

[SheLion]

Scary isn't it?

Worse then scary! They are trying to lock us all up! I think THEY need to be locked up!

[Gabz]

What about the other extreme....a child who weighs less than the average for his/her age???? Is that also child abuse?

[Gabz]

I think THEY need to be locked up!

Yes, in padded rooms...............