In line with background data within the examine, as much as 6 % of American youths are severely overweight, and that charge is predicted to rise.
Way of life adjustments — weight loss program and train — are the first-line therapy for these teenagers, however this strategy hardly ever results in vital lasting weight reduction, the researchers stated. So, weight-loss (bariatric) surgical procedure is more and more being seen as an choice for these teenagers.
However the surgical procedures may be costly, and there is little information on whether or not these bills outpace value financial savings down the road.
That led the authors of this examine to match well being care prices for 228 severely overweight teenagers, common age 17, who did or didn’t have weight-loss surgical procedure.
After all, there are different advantages to younger individuals as nicely, the researchers stated.
“At current, bariatric surgical procedure is carried out in roughly 1,000 adolescents per yr,” Hur’s workforce stated. “Bariatric surgical procedure can lead to life-altering weight reduction, which not solely results in the decision and prevention of illness but additionally permits sufferers to keep away from the stigma, bullying and isolation that usually accompany extreme weight problems.”
Two weight-loss surgeons agreed.
“With an lively teenage program, I not solely agree with these findings however go additional,” stated Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of weight problems surgical procedure at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York Metropolis. “Bariatric surgical procedure, finished in correctly chosen youngsters with functioning houses, can change their whole life. We’ve had children ostracized from faculty develop into varsity athletes.”
“Youngsters who’re struggling with weight may be ceaselessly broken in social settings and psychologically,” Barkan stated. “Weight reduction offers them with confidence and a more healthy sense of self.”
The examine was printed on-line Oct. 26 within the journal JAMA Surgical procedure.
