CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- Is it OK for doctors and parents to tell children and teens they're fat?

That seems to be at the heart of a debate over whether to replace the fuzzy language favored by the U.S. government with the painful truth -- if kids are obese or overweight, telling them.

Labeling a child obese might "run the risk of making them angry, making the family angry," but it addresses a serious issue head-on, said Dr. Reginald Washington, a Denver pediatrician and co-chair of an American Academy of Pediatrics obesity task force.

"If that same person came into your office and had cancer, or was anemic, or had an ear infection, would we be having the same conversation? There are a thousand reasons why this obesity epidemic is so out of control, and one of them is no one wants to talk about it." - CNN
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Gravitationally Enhanced? Calorie-oriented?

By the way, I am too short for my weight, and will remain so.

I don't see anything wrong with calling a child obese if they are. Sugar coating ( ) a medical problem doesn't help anyone. It is a doctor's responsibility to be truthful whether the patient likes it or not. While the word obesity may sound mean, it is what it is. A problem must be acknowledged before it can be solved.

the problem is we are to politically correct.
I wouldn't care if I was fat that you called me fat, I used to weigh 171 pounds.
people are too soft these days. they worry too much about offending others. Personally I don't care.

I agree that there is no reason to sugar coat the truth when one is a medical professional being consulted and paid to deliver an honest diagnosis of a health concern. On the other hand I would exercise caution when offering an unsolicited opinion of someone's weight. People who express pride in being "forthright" or "outspoken" sometimes seem downright resentful when others reciprocate in kind and say, "And You are a rude and opinionated jerk"! Sometimes political correctness is simple courtesy.IMHO.