Obese Kid Fighting for His Right to Eat

Eight-year-old Connor McCreaddie, who weighs over 200 lbs is fighting with Britain for his right to snack and to remain with his mother. The kid simply cannot stop eating and has been gorging himself ever since he was born, according to his mother. Connor's been gaining and gaining, and even hit 218 lbs last year. He is way too overweight for his height and age and the British social workers are trying to take custody of him. However, his mom still refuses to watch her boy's eating style and lets him continually dig into their fridge. The British government had no choice but to threaten to intrude into this matter.

Such a local problem in a small city of Britain traveled far and stimulated national awareness. So what about New York? Would the government ever intervene on an issue such as Connor McCreaddie's?

" 'I think anything is possible,' said Mayor Bloomberg when asked if New York officials would ever take custody of a child because of obesity. 'We have to look at the welfare of the children.' "

It's true that we as a nation have to look out for one another and do what's best for the future generations. Health is a very serious issue and cannot be toyed around with. If Connor and all the little boys and girls out there weren't helped, they can develop serious health conditions that will put their lives in danger.

"...overweight children such as Connor are susceptible to diabetes, respiratory problems, high blood pressure and heart strain."

However, we cannot force anything upon another human being. Just because the government feels that a certain action is right, it doesn't mean that's what's best for people. Plus, fighting against obesity isn't what the whole nation considers as "important." Not everyone cares about the well-being of a little overweight child, even though "...an elementary school study finding 43% of city kids are overweight." People nowadays have "better" things to worry about, like war, making money and themselves. That's a pity because if everyone cared about everyone, and if everyone lent a hand out to someone else, our world would be a better, safer and healthier place to live in.

(Daily News. pg 19. Wednesday, February 28, 2007)