The American Academy of Pediatrics is recommending weight loss surgery be more accessible for children with severe obesity.

Under the new policy children would be required to undergo a diet and exercise plan but if that doesn’t work surgery will be recommended.

The academy says metabolic and bariatric surgery should be considered a safe option for children.

Mark Latham tells Ben Fordham it would benefit children over the age of 15.

“Some of the issues we talk about with teenagers, body image is a big one.

“And if there’s a teenager, 16 or 17, where this can help them avoid a world of pain… then you’d be helping them with their longevity and their mental health.”

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But, Health Expert Dr Ross Walker tells Ben he thinks the recommendation is worrying.

“What will it do to them 10, 15, 20, 30 years down the track?

“There’s a lot of issues with this surgery and it’s not something anyone should be rushing into.”

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