Abstract

NIETO ZERMENO, Jaime; BRACHO BLANCHET, Eduardo  and  ONDORICA FLORES, Ricardo. Bariatric surgery in children: necessity or exaggeration?. Bol. Med. Hosp. Infant. Mex. [online]. 2010, vol.67, n.1, pp.74-80. ISSN 1665-1146.

Increase in the prevalence of obesity at a worldwide level, particularly in Mexico, has shown poor results with conservative measures for weight control. Identification of risks associated with this pathology has provoked a great controversy related to using other more aggressive procedures such as bariatric surgery in adolescents. Prevention of obesity should be the first priority because conservative methods produce only very limited results. Because life expectancy and mortality in adolescents are affected by associated or comorbid diseases, at the present time the hope for a better life expectancy for the obese adolescent is bariatric surgery, particularly because in a great percentage of patients it not only results in reduction of excessive weight but may also control type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension and other risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, psychological problems, and quality of life, among others.

Keywords : obesity; adolescent; quality of life; bariatric surgery.

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