Specialists writing in The Lancet medical journal warn that the risks of weight-loss surgery are extensive.

They are of the view that the method to decrease the size of a patient's stomach should only be mulled over in the most severely overweight children.

Almost 17% of boys and 15% of girls below the age of 16 are now clinically overweight.

The doctors say that in nine out of 10 instances, lifestyle is said to be responsible, not genes or hormonal problems for obesity problem in youngsters.

Weight loss surgery alters the way you have food. You will never be able to consume food in the same way.

The physicians add that right diet and physical exercise should continue to be the main focus of treatment. If they are unsuccessful, only then should medicines or surgery be considered.

Professor Debbie Lawlor of Bristol University said that any type of anesthetic can be perilous, mostly if you are very obese.

She said, "Added to that in children there has been little research. So we don't even know if it is effective in younger children".

Mr. Ahmed Ahmed, Obesity surgeon at Charing Cross hospital in London told Sky News that children already go through various changes since they are heading towards their teen years, several are leaving home, going to university and so on.