Dr. Deb

Is it OK for the State to take a child into custody for being obese? Medical neglect is the stated cause but with obesity rates having tripled in the last 30 years, is it fair to single one family out? 44% of kids are overweight or obese by the time they are 8 to 10 yrs old so where are we going to put all these kids? A 10 yr old in Cleveland was taken from his family for weighing 220 or a BMI of 60 and many are questioning if the state has overstepped its boundary. I think the real question is what is the solution for the 44%? Foster care does not seem to be it.

Did the child have a medical condition that caused the State to take him?

The boy had been monitored for 20 months after being hospitalized with sleep apnea. He needed a CPAP machine to help him sleep at night. Obesity does cause hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, joint pain, liver disease, and psychological stress in children but he was only known to have sleep apnea. His family did attend a free nutrition class and tried to make lifestyle changes.  While he initially lost weight, he gained it back within the year.  The State intervened because they felt that it was a last resort and the boy was at high risk of death before the age of 18 from his obesity. There is a court hearing on December 10^th that may return him to his home. He has lost 10 lbs since he was placed in foster care in October but neighbors argue the weight loss may be from the stress of separation from his family.

Does removing children from the home for obesity have a proven track record?

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Last week a parent told me that her son knew me as not just Dr. Deb, but the Diarrhea Doctor. No surprise to me because I taught his class how they get diarrhea and that is something they won’t soon forget.  I usually give a germ talk to first graders at the start of cold season.  We discuss germs and how to fight infection, but they always remember one point in particular. You see, I ask them, “Have you ever had diarrhea?” When most raise their hands I tell them, “Well, that means that you have probably eaten someone else’s poop!” Sure it may be a crude way to explain oral-fecal contamination, but it sure gets them washing their hands!

We are in an Indian summer now but colds and infections abound so here are:
Dr. Deb’s Tips on how NOT to get Sick!

1. Wash your Hands in Zones

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My youngest daughter lost her first baby tooth this week. I started to tear realizing my baby was growing up. She looked at me and said ”Don’t cry Mom, I’ll grow a new one.”

In a blink of an eye, she really will be grown up and I’ll be packing her up for college like so many parents are this week. In addition to the books, lamps and rugs, it is important to keep your children healthy in and out of the classroom so here are Dr. Deb’s 5 College Health Tips.

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When the summer arrives so do my headaches and not just in the form of my four kids. Headaches can be a real pain this time of year, especially in children who play outdoor sports. Football camp started this week for my twins so here is a little info about summer headaches, what you can do to prevent them and when to be worried about something else.
Why are headaches worse in the summer?

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