ALERT: Weight-loss surgery on children?

Have you heard that we’re researching the impact of weight-loss surgery…

On children?

Does this sound absurd to anyone other than me!?

Let’s talk about it…

What goes around comes around

I wrote my very first book, Feed Your Kids Well, as a way to help prevent and overcome childhood obesity.

It was a best-seller for over a year. Yet the mainstream press only half-heartedly endorsed what I was saying. Not to mention, I was literally mocked on The View.

Now here we are—thirty years later—and look what’s happening. It’s maddening to me!

Not the fact that we’re researching ways to help these children…

But the fact that we ever have to consider performing these drastic surgeries on them!

It seems to me that this is a societal and familiar issue. Clearly, I have my opinions on the subject, but let’s cut right to the chase—as there is some good news.

Melt away your pounds and problems

Researchers in Texas looked at the impact of bariatric surgery on children and young adults under the age of 22. And it seems the procedures can have long-lasting benefits well into adulthood.

In fact, through one of the longest follow-up studies to date on adolescents with severe obesity, researchers found that 31 percent of those who underwent weight-loss surgery were able to keep the weight off for ten years (and counting).

While that’s not a resounding result—it’s less than one in three—here’s the amazing part…

There was a 100 percent remission in cases of Type 2 diabetes, asthma, and elevated lipids (blood fats). Plus, there was a noticeable drop in high blood pressure, sleep apnea, anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and depression—all of which seemed to shock the researchers.

But really, is that any surprise? Being overweight and obese causes these health issues, so why wouldn’t those other conditions melt away, too?

My quest for both adults and children to overcome weight issues was and is never about vanity. It’s about being as healthy as possible… for as long as possible. Because excess weight puts you in the crosshairs of heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, cancer, and much more.

And while I would rather not see children go under the knife for any reason, I like knowing there are effective options in our fight against childhood obesity.

It has always been my contention that we need to prepare our kids to be the best versions of themselves. That often starts with food.

So, teach your grandchildren to eat well. Show them how you like to opt for healthy, unprocessed foods. And maybe even start cooking with them! For a kickstart, check out my books Feed Your Kids Well and my A-List Diet.

P.S. I was once an obese child, so I know all too well about the psychological and physical ramifications. Of course, when I did lose my weight, it not only gave me a new lease on life, but also, my career.

Source:

“Children undergoing bariatric surgery keep the weight off for over 10 years.” StudyFinds, 04/20/2024. (studyfinds.org/children-bariatric-surgery/)