Weight loss surgery shows promise in teens
Teens who went under a type of bariatric surgery called gastric banding lost 50 percent more weight than those who made lifestyle changes, according to a new study appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The small study of 50 14-18 year olds with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35, compared teens in two groups. One received banding, a laparoscopic procedure in which a silicone band is placed around the upper part of the stomach. The other made lifestyle changes such as lowering their calories and increasing their exercise.
After two years, the gastric banding group lost an average of 76 pounds, while the lifestyle group lost just 6.6. pounds on average, the Australian researchers found.
The jury is still out whether weight loss surgery is recommended for adolescents and most programs that provide it do so as part of clinical trials -- like this one -- to study their effectiveness and safety.
Critics say any weight loss surgery for teens should only be done as a therapy of last resort, and some fear the impact of surgery on a child's growth and development. Others say another type of weight loss surgery -- bypass surgery -- is better than banding.
Meanwhile, the obesity epidemic among children and adolescents remains a huge national problem.
Nationwide, more than 17.4 percent, or more than 5 million adolescents were obese in 2004, a jump from 14.8 percent in 2000. Obesity leaves teens at risk for type 2 diabetes and health problems once thought strictly the domain of adults: sleep apnea, hypertension and pyschosocial problems, the report explains.
AP photo
Comments
Reports that teens who got bariatric surgery lost a substantial amount of weight. But the clinical trial only looked at one type of surgery — gastric banding, which involves wrapping a silicone band around the upper stomach to restrict food intake.
Posted by: bariatric surgery | March 4, 2010 8:07 AM
Seriously, these kids should just live a more balanced life. Eat more healthy food and less of the junk. Exercise more instead of slacking behind the PC. That'll help them lose weight really quick.
Posted by: Fat Burning Furnace | March 16, 2010 2:24 PM
Weight loss surgery may help. But the thing is if the teen doesn't change his eating lifestyle, then the problem would just occur again. It helps to research about natural weight loss plans that only needs to eat fresh fruits and vegetables to help the teen lose weight safely.
Posted by: Cabbage Soup Diet Recipe | July 14, 2010 5:04 AM
Instead of good results from these banding and bypass surgery these have their negative points too as fat will recur after some time. Best way of loosing fat is taking healthy food , vegetables and at least 45 min. a week exercise.
Posted by: Fat Burning Furnace by Rob Poulos | July 25, 2010 1:37 PM
These teens should just eat more balanced healthy food and less of the junk. these banding and bypass surgery no doubt gives quick results but these have their negative points too. these kids should perform some exercise atleast 2-3 times a week .That'll help them to maintain their weight if they have gone through these surgery.
Posted by: Rob Poulos | July 29, 2010 10:38 PM
Eat more healthy food and less of the junk.
Posted by: cigs | August 4, 2010 9:02 PM
Eating healthy food is the best option to stay fit.
Posted by: Lose Weight Fast | September 17, 2010 6:41 AM