Bariatric surgery for obese adolescents: should surgery be used to treat the childhood obesity epidemic?

Abstract

The prevalence of pediatric obesity has greatly increased over the past several decades, affecting both males and females among all racial and ethnic groups, and bringing with it comorbidities that were only observed in adults in the past. Childhood obesity is the most alarming public health issue facing the world today. Lifestyle modifications to reverse obesity are considered the cornerstone of treatment, but compliance is often poor and results may be minimal. Thus, many adolescents are turning to bariatric surgery as a treatment for obesity and its complications. The long-term success rate, consequences and risks for the pediatric population are still unknown, as is the compliance rate with the necessary dietary modifications that are required after these procedures.