Adolescent obesity and bariatric surgery.
OBJECTIVE
Examines the effects of bariatric surgery on adolescent obesity.


RESULTS
The risks and outcomes of bariatric surgery in adolescence are presently being defined and may be somewhat different from those in adults. Adolescents may have a greater risk of weight regain, and greater risk of noncompliance to treatment after surgery. However, long-term outcomes are not yet available, and the underlying metabolic benefits appear to be substantial and similar to those of adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Morbid obesity in adolescents has severe acute and chronic complications. Bariatric surgery in adolescents seems as well tolerated as in adults when performed in centers with appropriate experience and adequate surgical volume. The pathophysiologic implications of bariatric surgery are profound. A better understanding of the mechanisms leading to postsurgical improvement in insulin resistance and weight loss could lead to the development of other therapies to achieve the same effects with lesser morbidities.
Levitsky
Lynne L
LL
Pediatric Endocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. LLevitsky@partners.org
Misra
Madhusmita
M
Boepple
Paul A
PA
Hoppin
Alison G
AG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D001823:Body Composition; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D011629:Puberty, Precocious / Q000150:complications; D015431:Weight Loss