Pioneering Bariatric Surgery Study Passes 1-Year Mark
A pioneering multi-year, multi-center study of teens who undergo weight loss surgery is helping to better inform parents and pediatricians about appropriate treatment options for extremely obese teenagers.
Now beginning its second year, the Teen- Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) is the first and largest prospective study of adolescents who choose bariatric surgery.
The study is headed by Thomas Inge, MD, PhD, associate professor of surgery and pediatrics and surgical director of the Comprehensive Weight Management Center at Cincinnati Children's.
In April 2007, at age 17, Amanda Munson was the first patient to enroll in the study. At 286 lbs., Amanda’s pre-surgery BMI was 48.6. One year later, her BMI stands at 31.5. and the type 2 diabetes she suffered from prior to surgery is now in remission.
“This is a remarkable achievement,” Dr. Inge said. “In other NIH-sponsored metabolic research that she is taking part in, it appears that her body actually handles sugar in a different, healthier way now.” Dr. Inge and the entire research team are excited about what this could mean for the future of research in type 2 diabetes in youth.
Amanda will remain in the study while researchers collect data on measures such as body composition, body fat, cardiovascular risks, sleep apnea episodes, diabetes indicators, depressive symptoms, quality of life, eating habits and nutritional status.
To date, a total of 29 teens like Munson have had surgery and enrolled in the study nationwide. At Cincinnati Children’s alone, 14 teens have enrolled, ranging in age from 13 to 19.
