"Surge in Adolescent Weight-Loss Surgeries Mirrors Obesity Treatment Trend"

 

According to a research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Pediatrics, the number of adolescents ages 10 to 19 undergoing metabolic or bariatric surgery for weight loss has increased by about 20% in 2021 compared to the previous year. This rise in weight-loss surgeries among adolescents is part of a broader trend of increasing obesity treatments in the United States.

While the rates of these surgeries among adults dipped between 2019 and 2020, they continued to rise among minors during the same period. Medical groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics have advocated for expanded access to weight-loss surgery and drugs to address the growing obesity rates in both adults and children.

Obesity is a significant health concern, with nearly 20% of U.S. children and adolescents living with obesity. This condition is associated with various diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Metabolic and bariatric surgeries are procedures that alter the stomach and intestines to promote weight loss. These surgeries can help reduce food intake and change how the body absorbs food. However, only a small percentage of eligible individuals, including adolescents, undergo these procedures, primarily due to barriers like cost.

The increase in weight-loss surgeries among adolescents is attributed in part to a 2019 statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which called for improved access to weight-loss surgery and stated that there is evidence supporting the use of these procedures even in young people. These recommendations have helped break down barriers for some pediatricians who were previously hesitant about the use of bariatric surgery in adolescents.

In January, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued comprehensive guidelines on obesity treatments for children and teenagers, including recommendations for weight loss drugs and evaluations for surgery in teenagers with severe obesity. The guidelines emphasize the importance of not delaying treatment for children with obesity.

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