Extreme obesity in teens was already known to be very unhealthy, but it is worse than anyone thought. A study found that about half of teens who are more than 100 pounds overweight had high blood pressure and that 14% were diabetics. Seventy-five percent had high levels of a protein that is linked to heart disease.
Previous research has found a connection between childhood and teen obesity and diabetes, high cholesterol levels, and skeletal problems. However, there has been little or no research on teens who are extremely obese.
Researchers looked at preoperative data on 242 teens that were treated at five weight-loss surgery centers that treat adolescents. The data was collected within a month of the teen having bariatric surgery. The teens, average age 17, enrolled in the study from 2007 to 2011. The data included information on blood pressure, diabetes, blood insulin levels, blood glucose levels, and blood cholesterol levels. They were also tested for C-reactive protein, which is a marker for heart problems.
The teens had an average preoperative body mass index of about 50. Obesity is usually defined as a body mass index over 30. A body mass index between 35 and 40 is severely obese. A body mass index over 40 is considered very severely obese.
For every five additional units of body mass index, the risk of impaired fasting glucose levels, elevated blood pressure, and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels increased by 15%, 10%, and 6%, respectively. Cholesterol problems and elevated blood pressure were more likely to be found in teen boys than in teen girls.
About 17% of children aged 6 to 11 are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The percentage of kids aged 12 to 19 who are obese is more than 20%.
The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics.