Disturbing, but I said nothing

Yesterday I saw a teenage girl so obese that each of her thighs was two feet wide. She could barely push the shopping cart- which only contained soda-pop. Her parents just looked on as her sad face finally made it to the car.

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ninalanyon · 61-69, T

But what could you have said? Would anything have any useful effect?

Something needs to be done because obesity is a growing problem almost everywhere. But what?

MissPerfect · 22-25, F

@ninalanyon I could have said something to the parents about her sadness.

ninalanyon · 61-69, T

@MissPerfect Yes. But if they are perceptive enough to have noticed you won't be telling them anything they don't already know. If they aren't do you to think that knowing will prompt them to do anything about it?

I mean to say you are right to be concerned for her but saving her from the situation she is in is likely to be a big and contentious project.

I have first hand experience with an overweight family member (not even close to that extreme) and it was a very difficult topic to discuss and ultimately futile.

So, don't feel too bad about it.

SW-User

Child abuse

MissPerfect · 22-25, F

@SW-User If they love her they should intervene. She's doomed to a short life of misery if they don't.

Docdon23 · M

Very sad. In the US, so much sugar and horrible stuff is added to food, one needs to really work at eating healthy. I think what you describe is abuse...I saw a woman going into a baseball game a week ago in a wheelchair, being pushed, and she was so large her shirt did not cover her belly...it was hard to see...

RoxClymer · 41-45, M

I live in the south, so this is all to common
so common I just shake my head and go about my day.

MissPerfect · 22-25, F

@RoxClymer The girl looked Hispanic. Maybe she's from a southern state.

Piper · 61-69, F

I doubt if anything you'd have said would have been either welcome, or helpful.

ravenhill · M

that's why i work hard at keeping fit.

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

None of your business.

MissPerfect · 22-25, F

@ChipmunkErnie I kept silent

Willomk1 · 46-50, M

I’m pretty sure the parents are aware of her size, telling them won’t help with the problem.At tha age there’s often a medical problem of an emotional crisis.

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