Usually not –according to a thoughtful commentary on this controversial topic (J Pediatr 2012; 160: 898-99).

Suggested criteria for child removal:

• 1. High likelihood for serious and imminent harm
• 2. Reasonable likelihood that coercive intervention will be effective
• 3. Absence of alternative options for addressing the problem

However, “allowing a child to lose all opportunity to live into healthy adulthood when effective treatment is available runs contrary to the central mission of child rearing…When this occurs, regardless of the cause, it must be all about the child, and something must be done.”

Related blog posts:

Treating diabetes with surgery

Lower leptin with physical activity

Staggering cost of obesity

Additional references:

• -JAMA 2011; 306: 206-07.  State intervention in life-threatening childhood obesity.
• -Pediatrics 2009; 123: 399-406.
• –http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/obese_cleveland_heights_child.html Commentary on this issue.
• –http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43727876/ns/health-health_care/t/obesity-alone-no-reason-remove-kids-their-homes/  Commentary on this issue.