Why more children are getting bariatric surgery

As obesity rates continue to rise, more children are undergoing bariatric surgery to lose weight as healthcare organizations push back on “watchful waiting” in favor of “immediate, intensive” treatment.

Inside AAP’s new pediatric obesity guidance

Bariatric surgery rates increase among children

According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, childhood obesity rates have increased from 17.7% to 21.5% over the last decade. Other studies have also found that weight gain among children grew significantly during the pandemic.

As obesity rates rise among young people, healthcare organizations and providers have pushed for increased access to treatments for children...