A new debate has been swirling around the ineffective and confusing language prescribed by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to doctors and parents of obese children. In the past, the CDC recommended avoidance of the word obese regarding children and teens because of its stigma. Instead the CDC advised doctors and parents to use the terms at risk for overweight, when the child is actually overweight and overweight for those who are medically considered obese. About 17 percent of U.S. children are obese, and 34 percent are overweight.

Leading health experts and pediatricians proposed a change in language-- from the current CDC terms to the more realistic terms used for adults-- indicating that the old confusing terms simply encourage denial of the widespread childhood obesity epidemic. With lifelong eating and exercising patterns learned early in life, trying to protect an overweight child by telling them they are only at risk doesn't generally inspire anyone to change and learn new habits. When does political correctness actually begin to harm those it tries to protect? While tact is a virtue, telling someone the truth in order to help them-- especially if you are their primary caregiver-- seems, without a doubt, the most responsible and caring course of action.