Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
'This Really Changes The Game:' Teens Benefit As Much Or More Than Adults From Obesity Surgery
At least six million obese teenagers in the United States are candidates for weight-loss surgery, experts estimate. Fewer than 1,000 of them get it each year. Many of these adolescents already have complications of obesity, like diabetes or high blood pressure. But doctors have been uncertain just how well surgery works for young patients, and whether they can handle the consequences, including a severely restricted diet. (Kolata, 5/16)
Teens who have obesity surgery lose as much weight as those who have the operation as adults and are more likely to have it resolve other health problems such as diabetes and high blood pressure, a study finds. The results suggest there's a benefit from not waiting to address obesity. Researchers say longer study is still needed to know lifetime effects of this radical surgery and that it's a personal decision whether and when to try it. (Marchione, 5/16)
