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Adolescent Obesity Treatment Unit

What it is

Obesity in the adolescent is a problem of great importance that more and more families suffer every day.

The frequency of overweight and obesity in children under 18 has almost tripled in the last 30 years, which can lead to an increase in diseases such as early puberty, impotence, feminization in males, deformity of the legs, flat feet, psychological disorders and especially eating behavior, and cardiovascular problems in more severe cases.

To achieve this, it is necessary a radical change in our dietary model and lifestyle and a real action as a whole.

How we can help

In order to be able to tackle a problem of this nature, in Clinica Obésitas we offer a multidisciplinary work that addresses all areas of the child: family (different family nuclei), school and social.

What our treatments consist of

We have a team of professionals: psychologists, nutritionists and a bariatric surgery team specialized in the treatment of adolescent obesity, who perform an interdisciplinary work.

The main pillars of action are:

  • Psychological intervention as a key aspect, with both individual and family therapy.
  • Support and guidance in the school environment, with the participation of their teachers, may be necessary.
  • Nutritional control of the adolescent to assess their eating habits (with family and school intervention if necessary).
  • Lifestyle changes and appropriate physical exercise.
  • Finally, the assessment of a supportive treatment such as the Gastric Balloon, and in extreme cases, of an obesity operation using restrictive techniques and without malabsorption such as the gastric tube.

From what degree of obesity a surgical treatment should be carried out.

When the time comes for the adolescent to present psychological problems that are difficult to handle or a poor response to psychotherapy, and with a BMI greater than 45-50.

In the adolescent patient, 5 to 10 more BMI points should be added to the adult indications to consider surgery. In addition, existing diseases as a consequence of obesity should be assessed.