Lose weight, else your children will be taken away

London, Mar 23 (UNI) Six British siblings face the threat of being taken away from their parents and put into care because they are overweight.

The shocking development highlights Britain's childhood obesity crisis due to which social workers have warned to intervene if the parents do not make the three of their six children shed several pounds in the next three months.

The parents have also been ordered to send their children to dance and football lessons to help them lose weight.

Critics, however, described the intervention of social workers ''deeply worrying'' and questioned their powers to break up families.

Dr Colin Waine of the National Obesity Forum said there was an urgent need to understand the health dangers associated with obesity but children's weight should regularly be monitored from birth to avoid drastic action like this.

Nadine Dorries, the Tory MP and a former nurse, described the measure ''draconian''.

A more sensible and cost effective solution would be to provide round-the-clock support within the home, aimed at both assisting the children in attaining a healthier lifestyle and educating the parents, the Independent quoted her as saying.

If the children are put into foster homes it opens up the possibility they could be adopted, which would leave them unable to make contact with their birth parents until they were adults.

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