An obese British boy who refuses to eat healthy food will be allowed to remain with his mother, social workers said Tuesday.
Eight-year-old Connor McCreaddie weighs 196 pounds -- four times his ideal weight. His mother, 35-year-old Nicola McKeown, has said he will not eat fruits and vegetables.
Before Christmas, the boy had weighed 218 pounds.
Social workers had thought about taking McCreaddie into their care, but local council officials in North Tyneside, England decided otherwise.
"We have had a useful discussion today during which all agencies and the family confirmed that the priority in this matter is the eight-year-old boy," officials said in a statement.
"The Local Safeguarding Children Board was able to confirm that its hope and ambition is to enable this child to remain with his family."
According to Reuters, McKeown, who suffers from depression because her son refuses healthy food, has denied neglecting her McCreaddie.
"I don't see how they can say we are not doing enough when everyone is rallying around trying to do something for Connor," she told ITV television.
"He is well looked after, he always has been. It is just that he has totally demented me wanting (to be) fed constantly. It is so hard."
Children fixated on junk food has become a major issue in England as obesity levels rise. Two years ago, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver successfully fought to have cheap burgers, hot dogs, pop and other unhealthy food banned from the country's schools.
