Bariatric Surgery Improved Mobility and Reduced Musculoskeletal Pain in Severely Obese Teens

Severely obese teens suffer multiple complications, including chronic musculoskeletal pain and decreased functional mobility. Bariatric surgery in adults has improved such conditions, but whether teens might experience similar benefits was unknown.

In a prospective, observational study, 206 severely obese (mean body-mass index [BMI], 51.7 kg/m²) patients (age, 13–20 years) were followed for 2 years after bariatric surgery at one of five U.S. adolescent bariatric surgery centers. Data were analyzed at baseline, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after surgery. At each time point, investigators measured time to completion of a 400-m walk test, resting and posttest heart rate (HR), and mean HR difference (resting to posttest). Musculoskeletal p…