Background

Metabolic and Bariatric surgery (MBS) is the most effective and durable treatment for children with severe obesity. Our Institution established an adolescent MBS program in 2004. In 2016 we developed a bilingual standardized pediatric obesity education session.

Methods

The session was designed to educate patients referred for severe obesity about MBS and medical treatments. It was delivered in English or Spanish by a medical professional using a power point presentation (updated annually). Sessions were offered in-person until March 2020 and then virtually. A retrospective chart review of the patients who attended the education sessions thru 7/2022 was performed. Variables collected included demographic data, treatment choice and anthropometric measurements.

Results

247 patients were included in the study: 50% Hispanic, 53% female, 45% male and 2% transgender. The average BMI was 47.6 kg/m2; average age 14.9 (8-21) years. After attending 72% chose surgical treatment, 4% elected medical treatment, and 24% dropped out. The average time from education session to surgery was 13 (3-66) months. The average follow-up after surgery was 16 (0-58) months. Hispanic males had the highest drop-out rate following an education session. After MBS patients lost an average of 10kg/m2, while those in the medical program lost 1 kg/m2 and those who dropped out gained 1 kg/m2.

Conclusions

Pediatric patients with severe obesity who attended an educational session about MBS and medical treatment of obesity were likely to choose MBS. Children who underwent MBS had significantly better weight loss than those who drop out or chose medical management alone.