ISLAMABAD: A growing number of young teenagers with severe obesity are resorting to weight-loss surgery and new drugs to combat their life-threatening condition. Adolescents like John Simon III and Edward Kent have embarked on aggressive measures after years of ineffective diet and exercise programs, in hopes of improving their health and future prospects.
John Simon, who weighed a staggering 430 pounds at the age of 14, underwent weight-loss surgery that removed a portion of his stomach. After nine months, he has successfully shed approximately 150 pounds, leading to a significant improvement in his overall health. Similarly, Edward Kent, a high school sophomore weighing 300 pounds, has turned to the obesity drug Wegovy, resulting in a weight loss of 40 pounds and the reversal of his fatty liver disease.
While critics urge caution when intervening at such an early age, the affected teens and their parents argue that these aggressive interventions are necessary after exhausting other options. According to research, around 80% of adolescents with excess weight carry it into adulthood, leading to potential health complications and reduced longevity. Obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease, but effective treatments have been scarce.
Medical experts who treat severe obesity in children emphasize that diet and exercise alone are often insufficient. Dr Janey Pratt, a surgeon at Stanford University, highlights that excess weight can already impact major organs in affected teens, indicating the urgency of early intervention.
Obesity Drugs for Children
In January, the American Academy of Pediatrics released guidelines suggesting the consideration of obesity drugs for children as young as 12 and surgery for those as young as 13. However, these recommendations have faced controversy, with concerns raised about the potential increase in eating disorders and perpetuation of weight-related stigma.
Dr David Ludwig, an endocrinologist and researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital, cautions against solely relying on medication, emphasizing the importance of diet and exercise in obesity prevention and treatment.
Nevertheless, the demand for surgical interventions has risen, and sign-ups for weight-loss surgery programs, such as the one at Stanford, have doubled since the release of the AAP guidelines. However, less than 1% of eligible children undergo metabolic surgery, often due to hesitancy from doctors, lack of awareness, or financial constraints. The cost of such procedures can exceed $20,000 and even reach $100,000.
Weight-loss surgery typically results in the loss of about a quarter to a third of body weight, but approximately 25% of children regain the weight and require additional treatment. Obesity drugs, such as Wegovy, have shown promising results, but weight regain is common once medication is discontinued. Some individuals may experience serious side effects as well.
