Severe obesity in adolescents is witnessed to register an unceasing rise, thus making it highly essential to find out ways to assist them in losing weight and lower the risk of serious health complications.
"The prevalence of severe obesity among adolescents continues to increase, making it important to explore ways to help these adolescents lose weight and avoid the many health complications that they are likely to develop," says Susan J. Woolford, the lead author of a study conducted in the field.
Also, bariatric surgery is revealed to assist in improving many health outcomes for adults, especially for obese and more beneficial for adolescents who are obese.
However, the results of a survey, posted online April 18 in Obesity Surgery, pointed out that half of primary care physicians reported they would not advice this surgery to a person younger than 18 years, despite the fact that highly obese adolescents may desire to have or potentially benefit from bariatric surgery.
Experts from both the United States and Britain have reviewed studies performed on the obesity epidemic and have suggested that bariatric surgery only be advised for children who suffer from severe obesity and have been unsuccessful in losing weight through methods that are non-invasive.
Scientists recommend that before taking the support of drastic measures such as weight loss surgery, healthcare providers and parents should introduce changes, including a proper exercise regime, in the lifestyle of children suffering from obesity.