Between 2007 and 2012, 45 weight-loss procedures have been performed on children as young as 14 in the UK, including gastric bypasses and the fitting of gastric bands and gastric balloons. An increasing number of individuals are being admitted to hospital for weight-related health issues and this includes children. With rising obesity rates amongst adults, it is hardly surprising that children are following their parents' lead and developing serious weight problems of their own.
The question has to be is surgery really the best option for helping children to lose weight? It must be hard for parents to watch their children being bullied because of their weight and to worry their children may develop health issues because they are obese. Clearly, no parent would want their child to undergo invasive surgery if it could be avoided, and yet losing weight can be achieved in ways which do not include surgery. Thus, for parents to give permission for surgeons to operate on their child indicates a certain amount of desperation.
Bariatric surgery may not be the preferred option, especially when the reality is that no matter what operation takes place, individuals need to change their eating and exercise habits, but it can stimulate rapid weight loss. For children who are dangerously overweight, surgery can give them the impetus to lose weight, but ultimately, it is up to parents to take action to prevent their children developing such a weight problem in the first place.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2465808/Children-young-14-having-weight-loss-surgery-45-going-knife-England-2007.html
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