Teen Obesity & Surgery
Hi everyone,
As parents or guardians of overweight children you may wonder what the best approach is to help your child with overweight or obesity.
There is a lot of information available on child and teen obesity that may confuse you. Among the information of weight loss plans for teens that is currently available is the recommendation for Bariatric surgery for adolescents.
While this may be an option to discuss with your child’s doctor, there are facts you need to be aware of before making this decision.
First, overweight children may be considered for obesity surgery if the adolescent failed at weight loss for 6 months or longer. Also, the overweight child should have a body mass index of 40 or greater and reached adult height. Remember that body mass index is measured differently in children because of the growth and development of their bodies. Having reached their adult height is important to ensure proper growth and development for your overweight child. Your overweight child should also have complications from the obesity such as type 2 diabetes or heart disease.
Second, your child will need to follow a healthy eating plan and exercise routine to ensure long term success with the obesity surgery results.
Finally, it is important that your overweight child is emotionally ready for both surgery and the new healthy habits that will be needed to be successful at weight loss.
Your child’s doctor can discuss obesity surgery as an option for your overweight child and refer you to physicians in your area that perform these procedures.
Georgene
Tags: obesity, obesity surgery, overweight children, Teen obesity, weight loss plans for teeens
