According to a study published in the February 10 issue of JAMA, gastric banding achieved significant weight loss than lifestyle intervention in severely obese adolescents.
Australian researchers conducted a randomised controlled trial to compare the outcomes of gastric banding with a lifestyle program on adolescent obesity including 50 people aged between 14 and 18 with a BMI >35. The study, carried out between 2005 and 2008, was followed up for 2 years.
The researchers found that more than 50% weight loss was achieved by 84% in the gastric banding group compared with just 12% in the lifestyle group. The average weight loss was about 34 kg in the gastric banding group and only 3 kg in the lifestyle group. The differences between the 2 groups were significant for all weight measures at 24 months with 24 in the gastric banding group and 18 in the lifestyle group completed the study.
The authors concluded that "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" and "There were associated benefits to health and quality of life".
Critics say there are limitations to the study including recruitment bias, small number of participants and short follow-up period. An accompanying editorial "Surgical Treatment of Obesity in Adolescence" notes that this study provides important evidence about the bebefits and risks of bariatric surgery.
Source:"Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding in Severely Obese Adolescents : A Randomized Trial" JAMA. 2010;303(6):519-526 (f/t via Athens)
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