Adolescents with obesity who lose at least 30% of excess weight in the 3 months after bariatric surgery are more likely to experience sustained, successful weight loss at 12 and 24 months, according to findings published in Pediatric Obesity.

In a retrospective chart review, Lisa Chu, PhD, a research fellow with the SickKids Team Obesity Management Program at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, and colleagues analyzed data from 28 adolescents with obesity who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy between October 2010 and October 2017 (mean age, 17 years; 21 girls; mean BMI, 48.6 kg/m²; 70% white). Researchers assessed anthropometric measurements before and after surgery, with follow-up occurring at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Researchers calculated percent of excess weight loss using WHO growth chart standards to determine ideal weights based on height percentiles respective to age. The main weight-loss outcomes were change in weight and percent of excess weight loss at 12 and 24 months.