Qureshi FG, Wiegand JG, O’Neill G, et al. - Researchers compared outcomes for adolescents that did and did not proceed to metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) for severe obesity.

• Researchers conducted a single-center longitudinal study (2015–2020) identifying 352 adolescents referred for surgery (mean age: 15.6% ± 1.4; 69% girls; 38% Hispanic; 78% with noncommercial insurance).

• The median baseline weight was 135 kg and BMI was 48 kg/m²; BMI > 50 was recorded in 42% of adolescents.

• LSG (laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) was conducted on 79 adolescents (22%) whereas MBS was not completed in 273 (78%) primarily because of lack of interest.

• Overall only a minority (22%) of adolescents referred for MBS proceeded to surgery, despite the demonstrated efficacy and safety of the procedure in adolescence.

• Weight gain continued in those that did not undergo surgery.

• The LSG group showed improvement in obesity-associated conditions.