The information in this resource is intended only to provide educational information. This profile describes the estimated benefits, activities, resources, and leadership needed to implement a strategy to improve child health. This information can be useful for planning and prioritization purposes.
- Fourfold increase in the use of bariatric surgery among eligible adolescents ages 13-19.
What population benefits?
Adolescents ages 13-19 with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40 kg/m2.
What are the estimated benefits?
Relative to not implementing the strategy
Reduce excess weight.
What activities and resources are needed?
| Activities | Resources | Who Leads? |
| Evaluate adolescents and provide diagnostic testing in advance of surgery | • Costs of outpatient visits for pre-operative evaluation of eligible adolescents by cardiology, pulmonary, endocrine, and gastroenterology clinicians • Costs of diagnostic testing, including laboratory tests, imaging, procedures, and sleep study |
Hospital |
| Admit adolescents to hospital and perform surgery | • Costs of hospital admission • Physician fees • Costs of operating room procedures |
Hospital |
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Gortmaker SL, Wang YC, Long MW, Giles CM, Ward ZJ, Barrett JL, Kenney EL, Sonneville KR, Afzal AS, Resch SC, Cradock AL. Three interventions that reduce childhood obesity are projected to save more than they cost to implement. Health Aff (Millwood). 2015 Nov;34(11):1932-9. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.0631. Supplemental Appendix with strategy details available at: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/suppl/10.1377/ hlthaff.2015.0631/suppl_file/2015-0631_gortmaker_appendix.pdf
- Pratt JSA, Browne A, Browne NT, et al. ASMBS pediatric metabolic and bariatric surgery guidelines, 2018. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2018 Jul;14(7):882-901. doi: 10.1016/j. soard.2018.03.019.
- Hampl SE, Hassink SG, Skinner AC, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obesity. Pediatrics. 2023 Feb 1;151(2):e2022060640. doi: 10.1542/peds.2022-060640.
- Browse more CHOICES research briefs & reports in the CHOICES Resource Library.
Suggested Citation
CHOICES Strategy Profile: Increased Access to Adolescent Bariatric Surgery. CHOICES Project Team at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; September 2024.
Funding
This work is supported by The JPB Foundation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U48DP006376). The information provided here is intended to be used for educational purposes. Links to other resources and websites are intended to provide additional information aligned with this educational purpose. The findings and conclusions are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or other funders.
Adapted from the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) Checklist