by Georgia Peach

Created on: February 28, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

A worldwide debate has been sparked after the media caught hold of the story of Conner McCreaddie; an eight year old boy from Wallsend, England who weighs an astonishing 218 pounds.

The flood of media attention has put the boy's mother Nicola McKeown in the public spotlight. Opinion varies on whether or not McKeown is responsible for her son's obesity or whether genetics is the main cause.

Many believe that McKeown should lose custody of her son for feeding him high fat junk foods. Connor weighed more than 126 pounds by the time he was five years of age, and his mother stated that he was so obese as a toddler she was unable to lift him. His mother claims that Conner has a huge appetite and wants to snack constantly throughout the day. Steak, chicken, bacon, and sausage are just some of his favorite foods.

After a meeting with Child Protection and Council Officials it was decided that Connor would remain in his mother's custody. She in turn has agreed to help her son to lose weight.

Is this a case of parental abuse or are Connor's genetics the reason for his obesity? If this were a case of an average size child eating fattening foods in large quantities but never putting on weight, would child protection services have been called?

It's a sad fact that the media is using the hardship of an eight year old boy for their own purposes. Perhaps the result of the recent flurry of media attention is what Nicola McKeown needed in order to take her son's health more seriously. In the end, all that matters, is the health and well being of an eight year old boy, who has for the moment captured the attention of the world.

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