title: Self-esteem and quality of life in adolescents with extreme obesity in Saudi Arabia: the effect of weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the self-esteem and quality of life in adolescents with extreme obesity before and one year after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy as obesity is a major challenging medical problem, not only in adults but also in children and adolescents in Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective cohort study, 32 adolescents (aged 13-17 years) with extreme obesity (Group 1) presenting for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) were compared with 32 matched, healthy, nonobese adolescents (aged 14-17 years) (Group 2) with regards to self-esteem and quality of life. Assessment was done using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory version 4.0 (self- and parent report), respectively. Body mass index (BMI) Z scores were calculated for both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significantly poor self-esteem and impairment in all domains of quality of life (self- and parent report) in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (P<.001). Self esteem and quality of life (self- and parent reports) significantly improved 1 year after LSG (P<.001), and the weight loss induced by LSG, reflected by a decrease in BMI Z scores, was a significant predictor for the improvement in self-esteem (R2=0.28 and P=.003) and quality of life (R(2)=0.67 and P<.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LSG was found to be a safe and effective operation in adolescents with extreme obesity: LSG leads to weight loss, with subsequent improvement in self-esteem and quality of life.
authors: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80215, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. sdaqal@yahoo.com
authors: Saleh M
authors: SM
authors: Aldaqal
authors: Mohammad G
authors: MG
authors: Sehlo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005743:Gastrectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012649:Self Concept; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss