The problem is though that when the child is obese, they usually have poor health. Poor health can lead to health problems. Being obese at such a young age could actually kill a child.
Isn't the parent guilty of child abuse for allowing the child to get so fat in the first place? If a parent allowed their 10 year old to smoke, they'd be charged with child abuse, so why don't we do the same for the parents of obese children? By allowing their children to get so overweight, they are neglecting them, putting their health, and lives, at risk, and if removing the children from their care is the only thing that will stop that parent from ignoring their children, then so be it.
What exactly has the State tried at and failed at before considering separating a Family? Or is the First Step? A Gym Membership might be nice? YMCA type Kid's program? Swimming? Summer Camp?
As the article didn't say, and as I can't recall anything else being trialed, I would assume that this is the first approach.
A gym membership is all well and good - but is the parent going to drive their child there, and is the child going to want to attend?
What parents need to do is stop feeding their kids junk and making them play outside, instead of sitting inside, glued to the TV screen.
I bet there is a lot the Article didn't say. Separating Families is Traumatic. It should not be the first step, that's all I'm saying. There is a real problem when the State starts playing God. Why shouldn't the first step be exercise, even riding a bike, walking, swimming. We have parks here, Bike Paths, YMCA, Baseball, Basketball, Soccer. There is what is convenient for the controlling authority, and there is what is right, too often those choices conflict.