Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of severely obese adolescents with many serious chronic diseases and the lack of data dem¬onstrating significant and durable weight reduction as a con¬sequence of nonsurgical treatments have led to a rise in the number of adolescent bariatric procedures being performed. Although it is widely agreed that additional long-term prospective data will be required to firmly establish compre-hensive guidelines, as well as specific recommendations regarding patient selection and optimal choice of weight-loss procedure(s), current evidence support the use of bariatric surgery in general. Clear understanding of the pathophysiology of morbid obesity is essential for management and prevention of this disaster. There are several factors concerning the occurrence of obesity, the first one in this mechanism is the genetic control also central nervous system control, afferent signals, pattern of feeding, socioeconomic factors, exercise and pattern of distribution of excess adipose tissue and leptin for its primary signal communication of body fat information to the central controller. Children and adolescents with severe obesity are at risk for important comorbidities, including obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, as well as depression and impaired quality of life. Therefore, treatment that is targeted at obesity may treat or prevent these problems and improve long-term health outcomes.