RT Journal
A1 Siegel RM, Inge TH
T1 LIfe-threatening childhood obesity and legal intervention
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2011
FD October 26
VO 306
IS 16
SP 1762
OP 1764
DO 10.1001/jama.2011.1521
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.1521
AB 
While Murtagh and Ludwig's proposal opens an important discussion, we believe the decisions of whether to pursue weight loss surgery and social service intervention are actually independent pathways. The authors suggested that clinicians should use the existing criteria for social intervention described by Varness et al.2 These criteria include that a family has not made a good-faith effort and all options have been explored. In the best practice guidelines for weight loss surgery, Apovian et al3 recommended that a psychological evaluation be done prior to surgery to assess whether the child has the necessary family support for the procedure. Thus, any family that meets the Varness et al criteria2 for social service referral would not meet the generally accepted criteria to be offered weight loss surgery.