Dr Paul E. O’Brien, of Monash University and the Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, declared, "Among obese adolescent participants, use of gastric
banding compared with lifestyle intervention resulted in a greater percentage achieving a loss of 50% of excess weight, corrected for age. There were associated benefits to health and quality of life."
Gastric band surgery and optimal lifestyle program compared
In a bid to compare the outcomes of gastric banding against an optimal lifestyle program on adolescent obesity, researchers recruited 50 Australian teens, aged 14 to 18, with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35.
The participants were assigned to either a lifestyle intervention program, or gastric banding. Both the groups were tracked for a period of two years.
After the procedure, the gastric banding group was instructed on correct eating, and urged to indulge in physical activity on a daily basis. The lifestyle intervention group’s regime included diet plans, exercise sessions with a personal trainer, and follow-ups with healthcare providers.
Outcome of the study
The researchers found that both groups lost weight, but those who had undergone surgery exhibited a loss of 79 percent of excess weight as opposed to 13 percent in the lifestyle group.
The authors added, “At entry, 9 participants (36 percent) in the gastric banding group and 10 (40 percent) in the lifestyle group had the metabolic syndrome. At 24 months, none of the gastric banding group had the metabolic syndrome compared with 4 of the 18 completers (22 percent) in the lifestyle group.”
Moreover, the gastric banding group experienced improved quality of life with no adverse events. However, the researchers were disappointed with the eight surgical revisions needed in seven patients. The experts pointed out the need to educate patients on proper eating habits with the band.
Healthy lifestyle advocated as first option
The researchers concede that despite gastric surgery exhibiting better results, and the band being reversible, healthy lifestyle approach should be the first option to induce weight loss.
Associate Professor Dixon stated, "We should always try and exhaust other options but what this study shows is that there is now no reason why we shouldn't extrapolate down adult treatments - gastric banding - into adolescents.
"We're cautious about giving some surgical treatments to young people; adults are more willing to take risks with operations and experimental treatments etc.
"What we are saying is that there are no extra safety risks with gastric banding among children. And it is every bit as effective."
The findings of the study are reported online in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
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