One-Year Self-Reported Appetite Is Similar in Adolescents with Obesity Who Do or Do Not Undergo Sleeve Gastrectomy

Abstract

Background: With the growing prevalence of severe obesity in adolescents, sleeve gastrectomy (SG), a type of metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS), is increasingly being performed at a younger age. Data regarding changes in homeostatic and hedonic appetite following SG are conflicting in adults, with some studies showing no change and others showing a decrease in appetite. Data evaluating the effect of SG on appetite during adolescence, when appetite is more plastic, are currently lacking. Objective: To evaluate appetite changes one year after SG in adolescents with obesity vs. in non-surgical controls (NS). Methods: Thirty-nine subjects 13–21 years old with severe obesity were followed for a year; 19 underwent SG, and 20 were followed without surgery. Subjects had fasting blood tests for appetite-regulating hormones and completed a visual analog scale for appetite assessment (VAS). Results: The SG group had a decrease in body mass index (BMI) at one-year (baseline: 48.2 ± 1.7 kg/m2; one-year follow-up: 42.6 ± 1.0 kg/m2 (p ≤ 0.0001)). No within- or between-group differences were noted in the one-year change in appetite in the SG and NS groups. After SG, fasting ghrelin decreased (p ≤ 0.0001); however, no changes were noted in peptide YY (PYY) levels. Changes in one homeostatic appetite measure following SG were inversely associated with changes in fasting PYY (r = −0.583, p = 0.011). Appetite changes were not associated with weight loss or final BMI. Conclusions: There were no changes in appetite measures one-year after SG from pre-surgery levels in adolescents with obesity, and appetite changes were not associated with changes in BMI. It is important to evaluate the impact of long-term appetite changes, if any, on weight loss after SG.