Is it child abuse? UK boy could be removed from family over obesity

Here's a debate we may be seeing more of if we can't slow the trend of childhood obesity. An 8-year-old boy British boy may be removed from his family today because authorities feel his family isn't doing enough to help him lose weight. At 14 stones (196 pounds) the child is morbidly obese, and his doctors fear that he faces imminent health problems, and even his family admits he has difficulty walking.

The family is condemning authorities, saying they weren't given enough direction or support to help the boy lose weight. They also say that, though he lost 14 pounds over the last year, he should have lost much more based on his diet.

The family says they'll be devastated if authorities remove him. Child protection authorities claim that he'll be unhappy, unhealthy, and that his care amounts to child abuse. Either way, it's a heartbreak for everyone involved. What do you think? Should his parents be given more support to help him lose the weight? Or should he be removed for his own safety?