In the USA more overweight teenagers are undergoing gastric banding surgery as a weight loss intervention than ever before. In fact, between 2005-2007 there was a seven-fold increase in the procedure, which constricts stomach size/capacity, being performed.

Looking at a database of bariatric surgeries in California, researchers found that gastric band operations, which constrict the stomach, increased seven-fold from 2005 to 2007.

Gastric bypass surgery, the gold standard, routes food away from much of the stomach, is proving less popular among teenagers with more signing up for banding instead.

Both operations are designed to make it difficult for people to overeat because they'll feel sick if they do.

Some experts believe the surgeries are needed, others express concern that teens may be risking their health looking for a quick fix.

In the United States many hospitals have abandoned gastric banding because of poor long-term results and concerns about chronic esophageal blockage, the need for frequent readjustments, and complications from the surgery. As with any operation, weight-loss surgery can cause serious complications, including infection, leaks, respiratory arrest, blood clots and even death.

These are not easy quick fix solutions and many in the medical profession are concerned about the popularity of weight-loss surgeries and the surgeons themselves.

Dr. Edward Livingston, a gastric surgeon at the University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine recently commented; "These operations clearly help some people, but they're (some surgeons) trying to sell it as a solution for everybody. If you follow the rules it works. But most people who get to be 180 kilograms aren't very good at following rules."

Obesity is a major problem for today's youth in the United States with some obese students having to be home-schooled because they don't fit into the chairs in their local public schools.

A trend that Australia is following.

Research suggests that for severely obese patients, weight-loss surgery may be the most effective method of weight loss. However this (gastric surgery) treats a symptom rather than a cause. The underlying cause being poor lifestyle habits from early in childhood even before birth due to a mother’s eating habit.

Make the lifestyle changes early enough and make healthy eating and exercise habits part of the family’s way of being and the need for such radical surgical procedures and interventions can be avoided altogether, the fact that in the US they are resorting to these surgeries as an “accepted” treatment option is an indictment on societal norms and, sadly, Australia is following these trends with childhood obesity levels increasing at rates similar to the United States.

Remember it is your family and your choice – is this the outlook you want for your children? If not make some changes today.

Reference: October 2010 edition of Pediatrics, online.