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Parents Blind to Their Fat Kids
Only 13% recognize when their child is obese
By Jim O'Neill
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Posted Dec 25, 07 3:20 PM CST
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(Newser)
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Nearly half the parents of severely overweight children ages 6 to 11 said their child was “about the right weight,” and only 13% recognized that their child had a severe problem, says a University of Michigan study. The results indicate parents think children will “grow out” of obesity or that something will change as they age, reports the AP.
With kids aged 12 to 17, parents were more aware—87% recognized when a child was overweight. But beneath the pudgy problem are significant health risks, say experts. "Obesity isn't just something that affects the clothes that you buy or how you are perceived by your friends," said the study’s lead researcher.