Bariatric surgery as treatment for severe obesity in adolescents
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Göteborgs Universitet - Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 6 291 712 |
| Project duration | August 2013 - September 2017 |
| Status | Completed |
Important results from the project
Our main purpose of this VINNOVA application is to eliminate today´s major regional differences in the care of young people with severe obesity, and instead implement a national structure of four co-operative assessment centers for young people between the ages of 12 and 18. The overall goal is to offer optimal, individualized, evidence-based treatment to all Swedish young people suffering from severe obesity.
Expected long term effects
Obesity surgery is one of the most powerful interventions in modern medicine. In addition to the powerful weight loss and associated strong improvement in quality of life, surgery leads to a significant reduction of co-morbidity to obesity and longer anticipated life expectancy. The results of our studies of obesity surgery in adolescents indicate that the outcome is at least as good in adolescents as in adults and that we are likely to have a better chance of reversing both metabolic morbidity and psychosocial problems secondary to obesity in intervention in adolescents.
Approach and implementation
During the project period, a randomized controlled study was included (n = 50) where young people 13-16 years old were randomized to either 8 weeks initial pulmonary dysfunction or obesity surgery. We have also published the five-year outcome in the first-operated cohort in AMOS in Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology. By creating evidence for the use of surgical treatment while establishing a clinical care structure through four cooperative centers, we have created conditions for equality and good care for young people with severe obesity