ABSTRACT
During the last three decades in the United States the prevalence and severity of obesity in adolescents has dramatically increased. Between 1980 and 2008 the percentage of adolescents aged 12-19 years who are obese increased from 5% to 18%. Additionally, approximately 4% of youth meet criteria for severe obesity (BMI ≥
10.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 195 10.2 Weight Loss Surgery in Adolescents ............................................................ 196 10.3 Eligibility Criteria ......................................................................................... 197
10.3.1 Criteria for Adolescents Being Considered for Bariatric Surgery .... 197 10.3.2 Contraindications for Surgical Treatment of Obesity ....................... 197
10.4 Preoperative Nutritional Assessment ............................................................ 198 10.4.1 Suggested Topics to Address during This Period (3-6 Months
Prior to Surgery) ............................................................................... 199 10.5 Preoperative Weight Loss ............................................................................. 199 10.6 Postoperative Dietary Progression ................................................................200
