Stand By Your Woman

Recently, an obese woman who didn't realize she was pregnant gave birth to a son. This article discusses the hateful comments that have been directed at this woman on a newspaper website due to her size, as well as comments made by the woman (April Branum) and her fiance(Walter Edwards II) in her defense.

"'I just glanced at the comments, and I was, like, "whatever,"' Branum, 39, said in a recent interview. 'Being big all your life, you expect it. I'm sure there are more people who think it but just don't say it.'

Walter Edwards II – her fiancé and the baby's father – reacted less nonchalantly, calling The Orange County Register to complain about the hateful, uncensored comments being posted about Branum, whose obesity likely prevented her from being aware of the pregnancy. "If I could reach through my computer and strangle them, I would," Edwards said.

With Branum's story, readers commented on her sexual relations with her fiancé, her eating and exercise habits, and her abilities as a mother. Some comments were removed by staff because of a policy prohibiting vulgarity and personal attacks."

Some people have cancelled their subscriptions due to these comments, but April Branum herself seems too busy with her newborn to be bothered too much. There are pictures accompanying the article. And really, no matter what you think of the parents, that is one cute baby.

Obese Eight-Year Old

An obese eight-year-old (stories I've read place his weight at between 189 and 210 pounds) is in danger of being taken away from his parents. According to the BBC:

"The eight-year-old does have a bike and a trampoline which he uses, but he has to stop after around 10 minutes because he becomes out of breath and can vomit. He has difficulty dressing and washing himself, misses school regularly because of poor health and is a target for bullies."

I have to say that I do place some blame on the parents here. The mother has said:

"Connor had a mouthful of apple once and he didn't like it... He refuses to eat fruit, vegetables and salads - he has processed foods. When Connor won't eat anything else, I've got to give him the foods he likes. I can't starve him."

And per CNN:

"Connor's mother said he steals and hides food, frustrating her efforts to help him. He eats double or triple what a normal seven-year-old would have... 'If I didn't give him enough at teatime then he would just go on at us all night for snacks and stuff.'"

Two major problems jump out at me. One, "a mouthful of apple once"? That's her idea of trying to create healthy eating habits? It sounds like she's just spoiling him, quite frankly, allowing him to eat whatever he "likes" which, of course, is crappy processed food. And secondly, the "snacks and stuff" he steals and hides should not be in the house in the first place. I mean I don't know if he should be taken away from his parents; that seems rather extreme. But these parents clearly need some better strategies in dealing with their child.

This story has been turning up all over the place, but Clarrie sent in the tip to Big Fat Deal. Thanks, Clarrie.

New Obesity-Fighting Game

This game somehow sounds a lot less fun than Dance Dance Revolution. (Which I do not yet own, because there are seven thousand versions of it and I have no idea which is the good one.) Anyway, this is not DDR, it is something else.

"'Body Mechanics,' teaches youngsters the disadvantages of obesity while involving them in play. At the opening of the game, Neuro, a Yoda-like wise man appears who narrates the game plot and requests gamers to join the team of superheroes who fight against the Evil Coalition of Harm and Disease... The fighting takes place inside the body of Jack Decayd. If the villains of the Obeez City are not contained, 'Jack will die soon.'"

Okay, at first I totally thought that was the "Evil Coalition of Ham and Disease." I would totally play a game involving evil ham, so get on that, game developers.