Health

NIH launches adolescent bariatric surgery study

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted May 14, 2007

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The National Institutes of Health is initiating an observational study to determine the effect of bariatric surgery in those 14 to 19 years old. This operation is increasingly being used in teens even though it has not been as thoroughly evaluated for this age group.

"We hope to learn whether or not bariatric surgery is suitable for teens and if it will help them remain at a healthy weight over the long term," said Mary Horlick, MD, project scientist for the study and director of the pediatric clinical obesity program at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Over the next five years, 200 adolescents scheduled for bariatric surgery will be compared with 200 adults who have had a similar procedure and were overweight since their teen years. Researchers will assess body composition, cardiovascular risk, sleep apnea, diabetes, depression, quality of life, eating habits and nutritional status before and up to two years after the operation.

Biological samples will be collected and stored for future research.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/05/14/hlbf0514.htm.

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