The incidence of teen obesity is dramatically increasing. Aside from the genetic factors, obesity in teens is usually blamed on poor lifestyle and eating habits. This problem is not only happening in North America but other countries are also worried about the increasing number in their young population who are now considered as obese. Obesity in young kids could bring other health related problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart and liver diseases, and psychological problems.

Teen Obesity and Surgery

A report by Sharon Kirkey of the Postmedia News revealed that teen obesity is a serious concern. Doctors are worried of the possible complications that could be caused by excessive weight. Health experts headed by Dr. Thomas Inge and his group recently published on the Pediatrics Journal their findings and position on weight loss surgery for adolescents.

According to a paediatrician, obesity is not anymore considered as an old person’s disease. “We see these kids, and we’re doing blood tests on them regularly and we’re coming up with liver abnormalities, sugar abnormalities, cholesterol abnormalities. We’re seeing this not only in teenagers, but in pre-teens. They already have fatty livers.” said Dr Stan Lipnowski who is a member of the Canadian Paediatric Society’s Healthy Active Living Committee.

Rate of Obesity in Children Alarming

Dr. Stan Lipnowski said that the rate of obesity in children almost tripled in the last 25 years. In Canada alone, at least 26% of children ages 2 to 17 are considered overweight or obese. The incidence of morbid obesity is also increasing. “Some of these kids get short of breath just walking across the street, they’re so heavy,” the doctor from Winnipeg said.

Morbidly obese teens usually suffers from high blood pressure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, diabetes, joint pain and Blount’s disease or the severe bowing of one or both legs. Added to this are the psychological effects on the individual such as depression and anxiety.

Weight Loss Surgery: Is it the Best Option?

Adults who underwent weight loss surgery have higher success rate based on surveys. A study in McGill University showed that obese adults who chose bariatric surgery reduced mortality rate by 89 percent compared to those obese individuals who did not opt for surgery. Bariatric surgery also reduces the risk of getting cancer up to 80 percent. However, experts are wary if these figures are also true for adolescents.

They agree that weight loss surgery is an effective method in treating obesity but the rate of its effectiveness on young individuals has still to be validated. “I think if you’ve exhausted all other measures, you may be left with nothing but bariatric surgery,” said Dr Lipnowski. “We don’t know if we can extrapolate the results from adults to kids. What’s the success rate going to be like two, three years from now, or five or 10? We don’t have that type of follow up in adolescents, it hasn’t been around that long,” he added.

Bariatric Surgery Comes with Health Risks

The common risks involved in undergoing a weight loss surgery is post-operation bleeding, wound infections, blood clots and intestinal leaks. The surgery could also result to vitamin deficiencies, malnutrition, anemia, and prematurely weak bones. There is also no guarantee that the pouches inserted inside the stomach will not stretch or the staples will not get loose. There are also some reports that bariatric surgery on teens can cause neural tube defects on their babies. And if improperly done it could result to death.

Experts agree that weight loss surgery for teens, whether the adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en Y gastric bypass, should only be the last option. If other methods of treatment fail and there are other health conditions that must be addressed immediately, bariatric surgery will be recommended.