title: Feasibility of a Dual Evaluation/Intervention Program for Morbidly Obese Adolescents.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the absence of evidence-based guidelines for screening adolescent candidates for bariatric surgery, or improving their adherence to preoperative recommendations, we designed a dual-phase multidisciplinary program aiming for observation-based preoperative assessment/ intervention, as well as for post-operative/ conservative follow up.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study focused on the preoperative 3-month phase. Fifteen morbidly obese adolescents attending the eating disorders unit of a pediatric hospital underwent the program protocol consisting of medical examinations/ tests, psychological measures, self-monitoring, tailored diet, physical activity schedule, individual and group cognitive behavior-oriented therapy, and psycho educational parent training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients completed the preoperative phase. Most of them (70%) followed the structured diet with a significant reduction in BMI. The patients complied with self-monitoring, and body dissatisfaction score improved. Parental participation in therapy was poor. Four patients with low adherence were found ineligible for surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings support the feasibility of our dual screening/intervention protocol. Measures to improve parental participation are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Crisis Intervention Unit, Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fennig
authors.affiliation: Crisis Intervention Unit, Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel School of Psychology, IDC, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunstein-Klomek
authors.affiliation: Crisis Intervention Unit, Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel School of Psychology, IDC, Herzliya, Israel.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sasson
authors.affiliation: Crisis Intervention Unit, Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Irit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Halifa Kurtzman
authors.affiliation: Crisis Intervention Unit, Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tikva, Israel.
authors.forename: Arie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hadas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D016730:Program Development