Initial Approach to Childhood Obesity in Spain. A Multisociety Expert Panel Assessment

Mediation role of cardiorespiratory fitness on the association between fatness and cardiometabolic risk in European adolescents: The HELENA study

PURPOSE

This study was aimed to analyze the mediation role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) on the association between fatness and cardiometabolic risk scores (CMRs) in European adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in adolescents (n = 525; 46% boys; 14.1 ± 1.1 years old, mean ± SD) from 10 European cities involved in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study. CRF was measured by means of the shuttle run test, while fatness measures included body mass index (BMI), waist to height ratio, and fat mass index estimated from skinfold thicknesses. A clustered CMRs was computed by summing the standardized values of homeostasis model assessment, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, and leptin.

RESULTS

Linear regression models indicated that CRF acted as an important and partial mediator in the association between fatness and CMRs in 12-17-year-old adolescents (for BMI: coefficients of the indirect role β = 0.058 (95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.023-0.101), Sobel test z = 3.11 (10.0% mediation); for waist to height ratio: β = 4.279 (95%CI: 2.242-7.059), z =3.86 (11.5% mediation); and for fat mass index: β = 0.060 (95%CI: 0.020-0.106), z = 2.85 (9.4% mediation); all p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In adolescents, the association between fatness and CMRs could be partially decreased with improvements to fitness levels; therefore, CRF contribution both in the clinical field and public health could be important to consider and promote in adolescents independently of their fatness levels.

A 5-Year Follow-up in Children and Adolescents Undergoing One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) at a European IFSO Excellence Center (EAC-BS)

BACKGROUND

The children and adolescent population with obesity has increased worldwide, both in developing areas and in developed countries. Consequently, the prevalence of morbid obesity among this population has also increased, leading to an exponential growth of bariatric approaches in this population. Many surgeons fear eventual nutritional sequelae after malabsorptive approaches and prefer restrictive or mixed procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all the morbidly obese patients between 13 and 19 years, undergoing a one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) as bariatric procedure between 2004 and 2012, was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 39 patients were included, 8 males (20.5%) and 31 females (79.5%), with a mean age of 17.8 ± 2 years (range 13-19 years). Mean preoperative weight was 114.3 ± 20.4 kg and mean BMI 42.2 ± 5.9 kg/m². Preoperative comorbidities include only type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in 7.9% of the patients, hypertension in 10.3%, and dyslipidemia in 23.1%. Five years after surgery, mean BMI was 25.9 ± 5.3 kg/m² and total weight loss 32.1 ± 15.7%. Remission rate of T2DM, hypertension and dyslipidemia was 100%. All the patients received multivitamin and vitamin D supplementation. Anemia secondary to iron deficiency occurred in one female, requiring intravenous iron supplementation during 1 year and later on oral supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

OAGB is a valid alternative for long-term weight loss and remission of comorbidities in childhood and adolescence. No cases of malnutrition or growth disorders were observed.

ASMBS pediatric metabolic and bariatric surgery guidelines, 2018

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Pediatric Committee updated their evidence-based guidelines published in 2012, performing a comprehensive literature search (2009-2017) with 1387 articles and other supporting evidence through February 2018. The significant increase in data supporting the use of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) in adolescents since 2012 strengthens these guidelines from prior reports. Obesity is recognized as a disease; treatment of severe obesity requires a life-long multidisciplinary approach with combinations of lifestyle changes, nutrition, medications, and MBS. We recommend using modern definitions of severe obesity in children with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention age- and sex-matched growth charts defining class II obesity as 120% of the 95th percentile and class III obesity as 140% of the 95th percentile. Adolescents with class II obesity and a co-morbidity (listed in the guidelines), or with class III obesity should be considered for MBS. Adolescents with cognitive disabilities, a history of mental illness or eating disorders that are treated, immature bone growth, or low Tanner stage should not be denied treatment. MBS is safe and effective in adolescents; given the higher risk of adult obesity that develops in childhood, MBS should not be withheld from adolescents when severe co-morbidities, such as depressed health-related quality of life score, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis exist. Early intervention can reduce the risk of persistent obesity as well as end organ damage from long standing co-morbidities.