Objective:

To analyze national trends in metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) among adolescents in Israel using data from the Israel National Bariatric Surgery Registry (INBSR).

Approach:

• Study Population and Data Source: A nationwide retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from the INBSR, including all adolescent patients (< 18 years old) who underwent MBS in Israel from October 1, 2017, to December 31, 2024. Data from the final quarter of 2017 were aggregated into the 2018 study period for clarity of trend analysis.

Key Findings:

• Severe obesity among adolescents is a growing global health concern.
• MBS has shown to be effective for sustained weight loss and resolution of obesity-related diseases in adolescents.
• Current guidelines recognize MBS as a safe treatment for adolescents with severe obesity when performed in a multidisciplinary setting.

Interpretation:

The study highlights procedural trends and long-term outcomes of MBS in adolescents, given the rising prevalence of severe obesity.

Limitations:

• The study is limited to data from Israel, which may not be generalizable to other countries.
• Potential biases in self-reported data and follow-up assessments may affect outcome measures.

Conclusion:

The findings indicate the importance of evaluating adolescent MBS trends and outcomes to inform clinical practices and policies.