Healthcare | Sunday 21 June, 2015 10:16 am |

Cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and hypertension are once known to be chronic health conditions common only amongst adults. However, with the rates of childhood obesity rising over the years, these diseases are now commonly diagnosed earlier in life, and, as pointed out by Dr. Patrick Noel, Laparoscopic and Bariatric Surgeon for The American Surgecenter, there can be higher instances of other weight-related health concerns later on as obese children are more likely to develop morbid obesity in adulthood.

Over the past decades, childhood obesity has become a health challenge worldwide. This happens to be a major concern as well in the UAE, where obesity trends continue to grow. Among the youth, obesity has increased at an alarming rate, with 36 per cent of six to 18-year-olds found to be either obese or overweight by the Health Authority Abu Dhabi (Haad) through a study conducted in 2013. A more recent study by the New York University Abu Dhabi revealed that overweight/obese rate from 11 to 19 year old is at 40 per cent, and 20 per cent for children at ages 6 to 10 years old.

The coming observance of Childhood Obesity Week on July 6th to 12th brings The American Surgecenter, a leading medical facility in Abu Dhabi, to highlight anew the need to raise further awareness on the risks and complications of childhood obesity. “Obese children and adolescents are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver, and other serious health problems. These children are also more likely to develop morbid obesity in adulthood. In addition, childhood obesity also can cause psychological distress and emotional trauma due to name-calling, ridicule, stigmatization or discrimination, which in the long run can adversely affect the mental and emotional health of an individual as an adult,” Dr. Noel said.

A 2013 study by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the USA also confirmed Dr. Noel’s view. UCLA researchers found that obese children and teens from age bracket 10 to 17 years old have double the risk of having three or more significant medical, mental or developmental conditions, and that even those who are just overweight are at risk by 1.3 percent above those of normal weight.

Recognizing the serious health complications associated with childhood obesity, Dr. Noel stressed that early intervention is important. Treatment for obesity usually includes changes in their diet and level of physical activity. However, in certain circumstances, lifestyle modifications and other weight management strategies fail to deliver sustained weight loss, and so weight loss surgery is becoming an increasingly utilized option to address morbid obesity among adolescents.

“After evaluating the child and seeing that weight loss through nutrition and behavior modification isn’t achieved, then we will look into bariatric surgery. For children who meet the criteria, the goal of the surgery is to be a tool to assist in improving your child's health, and in my opinion Gastric Sleeve surgery is the best option, as there are less complications in the long run. There are potential risks and complications as all surgeries present risks. For weight loss surgery in teens, the risks are similar to those of adult patients, and they vary depending on weight, age, and medical history, so patients should discuss these with their doctor and bariatric and metabolic surgeon. However with Gastric Sleeve there are no specific risks especially when done with a qualified surgeon,” Dr. Noel explained.

While the qualifying age for bariatric surgery is above 18 years of age, adolescents in exceptional circumstances can be referred for assessment to a multi-disciplinary medical team. “I have performed the surgery on a 15-year-old boy as he was severely obese and his weight had started to affect his psychological as well as physical health,” Dr. Noel related.

On top of weight loss, Dr. Noel confirmed that adolescents can expect other benefits from bariatric surgery. “Psychological management is key to see sustained weight improvements since teenagers are still growing psychologically and they should be followed closely by the doctor and nutritionist to help them follow the right nutrition path. If the patient obediently follows post-operative care guidelines, they will also achieve resolution or improvement other of co-morbid conditions such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea, back, leg, knee and foot pain, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Respiratory problems (asthma, shortness of breath on exertion, etc.), plus increased energy. A large portion of the benefit is also psychological and this includes improved self-esteem and better quality of life, especially since young people are more impressionable and can be highly affected psychologically if regarded as ‘different’ than their siblings and peers,” Dr. Noel concluded.