Who is responsible for a child's diet?

The parents of course. All the way. We don't get to say "oh, but they give him junk at school or at day care". WE are responsible for the school or day care our kinds attend.

I also sometimes see parents complain about the cost of real food, but then they turn out to have a pantry fully stocked with crisps and candy. For the same money (or even a lot less!) they could have a stock of rice crackers and raisins for snacks, but they choose not to buy those.

Mostly the parents, the childs wanting the food bjt the parents don't want to say no etc.

It could also be the childs in a way, depending on age they might go to tne shop on tne way bome and buy pop, energy drinks or sweets or crisps - the parents don't know. It could also be the child not doing enough exercise but when the parents ask its a case of oh well I've had pe twice this week so thats enough.

It's not always the parents.

I don't understand your question. You're asking 'who is responsible for a child's diet', then you go on to talk about obesity and dental health.

Maybe you should have asked 'who is responsible for child obesity?'.

Mostly, people who have jurisdiction over the child -- parents, school authorities, child care workers.

Depending on the age, and some other factors, the child may be able to eat stuff that their authorities can't stop.

I know in the US, a LOT of people live in areas where getting decent food is almost impossible, AND we subsidise garbage, so REAL food is prohibitively expensive.

When it's letting you kid go HUNGRY, and feeding him or her "crisps" and soda, it's more the fault of the system, than of the victims of that system.

its a parents job to provide healthy foods, after all the kids can't go get a job and pay for the groceries themselves. but you have to realize, the lower the income, the better chance there is that all the parents can afford is high-cal, over processed crap. it's not cheap to eat healthy, and while that isn't an excuse, some don't' have a choice over what they must feed the kids. can't do anything about the way someone else parents their kid, just make sure your own eat right and try not to judge.

It's mom and dad's responsibility to make sure their children are eating healthy. However, at a certain age, children need to be able to make sure they're eating healthy themselves. Same with brushing your teeth or changing your underwear everyday, at a certain age they need to not be told to do it. Sometimes though obese children have something wrong with their system. Maybe their body is failing to alert their brain that they are full. Maybe it simply takes longer to feel full. In this case, the parent is over feeding their child because they kind of need to. With cavities as well, sometimes those things are just genetics. My son brushes and flosses everyday, but he keeps getting cavities between his teeth. The dentist complaines that he is not flossing and I have to tell them that I watch my son floss everyday as we brush our teeth at the same time. They don't know what to say.

Mostly the parents however, if the child becomes forceful and arrogant towards the parent and so the parent blames the child we need to seek further into saying why is the child like this? It is relevant but most usually the parents fault for bringing the child up in an unhealthy way of life.

its the parents responsibility. they buy the food. All that "its cheaper than healthy foods and i cant afford healthier food" is just ridiculous. I am on income support and have a 2 year old son and i constantly have different fruit and veg in the fridge/cupboards. i make my own meals so i judge what goes in it and i buy sugar free products or no added sugar. He has never had a fizzy drink and i dont plan on changing that. I buy fruit juices, cordial. Fresh meat. Dont get me wrong we have chocolate in the cupboards but its given in moderate. My son has always been fed healthy and he prefers carrot sticks to crisps so im happy and his teeth are beautiful and white as he also knows how to brush his own teeth properly. Routine and early start is key!

its simple its the parents responsibility if they give the kid junk food all the time its there fault