Although diabetes and blood pressure diseases are generally considered among the diseases that occur in older ages, obesity in children is effective in the emergence of these diseases. Especially since the pandemic, with the increase in sedentary life and unhealthy diet, the number of people with obesity has started to increase. Excess weight causes diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression in people of all ages.
THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WITH OBESITY INCREASE THREE TIMES
Obesity is increasing every year. prof. Dr. Halil Coşkun gave information about obesity surgery in children. Worldwide obesity is a disease that has nearly tripled since 1975. According to a study conducted in 2016, more than 340 million children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 are overweight or obese. Therefore, just like adults, children and adolescents are also at risk of obesity. Obesity can cause many problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, respiratory problems, joint pains in children. In addition, the psychological effects of obesity can lead to negative consequences in children.
HEALTHY EATING AND EXERCISE CAN BE MADE A FAMILY ACTIVITY
To prevent obesity in children, parents also need to change their lifestyle habits. For example, making healthy eating and exercise a family activity, not using food while giving rewards, and ensuring its sleep pattern may be beneficial in terms of preventing obesity. It’s also important to have your child see the doctor at least once a year for checkups of healthy children. During these controls, pediatricians measure children’s height and weight and can make recommendations based on their changes in a year by calculating their Body Mass Index.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT INCLUDES OBESITY TREATMENTS IN CHILDREN
There are many ways to treat obesity in children. Psychological support covers obesity treatments in children as well as nutrition and diet specialists together with pediatric endocrinologists. In some special cases, obesity surgery can be applied to children under the age of 18 in a controlled manner and by providing appropriate conditions. These surgeries are called “Adolescent obesity surgery”, that is, “Adolescent obesity surgery”.
CONTROLLED ADAPTATION AND PARENT SUPPORT IS IMPORTANT
The most important criterion for a person under the age of 18 to perform the surgery is to meet with a pediatric endocrinologist about whether the child has completed his physical development, and with a child psychiatrist to understand whether he is ready for surgery and these physicians approve the surgery. Although it is not easy for young people under the age of 18 to adapt to the post-operative process and to implement their new nutrition plans properly, these problems can be overcome with controlled adaptation and parental support. However, the rates of adolescent surgery are still quite low.
FOR TREATMENT, THE PATIENT MUST MEET SOME CRITERIA
In order to perform bariatric surgery in children and adolescents, the patient must comply with some criteria. These criteria can be listed as follows:
Failure of obesity treatment for at least 6 months or longer
Complete or nearly complete physiological development,
Presence of morbid obesity (BMI >40 kg/m2) and serious obesity-related comorbidities,
Presence of comorbidities with BMI over 50 kg/m2 and less,
Evidence of adequate decision-making capacity by psychiatric examination,
Having a supportive and family environment.
- Completing the consent form proving that you have been informed about the surgical treatment. The adolescent, whose surgery decision is made by evaluating these criteria, should be able to continue the educational medical and psychological examinations to be given before and after the surgery. In addition, they must both be willing and able to adhere to dietary guidelines.