Outlook: Observing Unique Teens Living with Obesity: Outcomes and Knowledge
The rising epidemic of pediatric obesity has become a national health care priority due to the cumulative medical and psychosocial consequences across the lifespan. The degree of obesity has also increased at an alarming rate making the severely obese adolescent (BMI > 40 kg/m2) a population for which there is notable concern. Given the paucity of effective treatment for adolescent obesity, and severe obesity in particular, surgical interventions are now being explored.
Bariatric surgery in adults results in impressive weight loss and the improvement, if not resolution, of most obesity-related comorbidities, including improved mood and quality of life. Given that comprehensive study of adolescents seeking bariatric surgery has not previously been conducted, there is a substantial gap in our understanding of the psychosocial comorbidities of this unique population and the predictors of positive short- and long-term surgical outcomes.
The aims of the Outlook Study (NIDDK R03 2005-2007) are to generate data to determine the short-term (6- and 12-months) psychosocial benefits of bariatric surgery in the treatment of severely obese adolescents (BMI>40 kg/m2; ages 13-17) as well as identify psychosocial predictors of successful surgical outcomes. Controls are severely obese adolescents who have sought behavioral weight management treatment. Identifying psychosocial correlates of severe obesity in adolescence associated with successful surgical outcomes and long-term maintenance of weight loss will be critical to the development of more informed patient selection criteria and more efficacious treatment paradigms. Data collection is ongoing.
