Obesity Surgery Benefits May Be Greater For Teens Than Adults

Robert Cucin MD JD MBA bariatric surgery, Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity , , ,
obese kids
 

Most obese teens remain obese as adults, and adults who were obese as teens are unhealthier than those who become obese later in life. 

A new study presented at the Combating Childhood Obesity Conference in Houston (Weight Loss and Health Status 3 Years after Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents. Inge TH, Courcoulas AP, Jenkins TM, et al. N Engl J Med 2016; 374:113-123) suggests that teens may benefit more from early surgery than adults.  

The researchers compared results from two studies of gastric bypass surgery in 161 teens and 396 adults who had been obese since they were teens. Three years after their operations, both groups had lost between 26% to 29% of their weigh and Diabetes went into remission in 86% of teens and 53% of adults diagnosed with the disease before surgery. High blood pressure was also normalized in 68% of teens and 41% of adults.

Although a 2% mortality accompanied surgery in both groups, two of the teens died from drug overdoses, suggesting substance abuse and self harm may accompany teen obesity.

The researchers documented the durability of clinically meaningful weight loss and metabolic improvements and weight-related quality of life among adolescents who underwent gastric bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy. The benefits of these current bariatric surgical alternatives must be viewed in the context of the risks of nutritional deficiencies and the possibility that future surgical procedures will be needed in some patients.

It is this author’s hope that Endoscopic Visceral Lipectomy, which does not expose the patient to the nutritional and surgical risks inherent in bypass surgery or sleeve gastrectomy, may prove equally effective and a safer minimally invasive intervention for this younger population (Uncoiling the Tightening Obesity Spiral. Cucin RL Clin Res Diab Endocrinol:1(2):1-5 (2018)).

CDC Reports Obesity Rates Increasing Among U.S. Adults

Robert Cucin MD JD MBA obesity

According to a recent article in JAMA (JAMA 2018:320(16)1632. doi: 10.1001/jama.2018.15094),  7 states now have Obesity rates topping 35%.  According to data from the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Alabama, Arkansas, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia all had obesity rates of more than 35% in 2017.

Researchers also uncovered disparities in rates of obesity by education, race and ethnicity. Individuals with higher levels of education had lower rates of obesity, with a rate of 22.7% among college graduates compared with 35.6% among those with a high school degree or the equivalent.

 According to the CDC, there is no single or simple solution to the obesity epidemic. It’s a complex problem and there has to be a multifaceted approach. Policy makers, state and local organizations, business and community leaders, school, childcare and health care professionals, and individuals must work together to create an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle.

I wholeheartedly support the CDC’s conclusion.

 

 

Bariatric Surgery May Lower Danger of Heart Attack in Diabetics

Robert Cucin MD JD MBA bariatric surgery, Diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity

A recent study tracked 20,000 severely obese patients with Type 2 Diabetes and found that those who had weight loss surgery had a 40% lower chance of developing a heart attack or stroke in the five years following surgery compared to those who were managed medically.  They patients who had surgery had gastric sleeve, gastric band or gastric bypass.  These surgeries cost $20,000 to $25,000 and are generally covered by insurance.   Surgery is thought to help by affecting hormones, gut bacteria and other substances that affect how the body handles insulin and blood sugar.

The improved lipid profile, the decrease in inflammatory cytokines and the resistin which antagonizes insulin secreted by visceral fat are likely behind the improvement.  The new findings suggest insurance coverage be expanded for the right patients to result in substantial cost savings and improved patient outcomes.