Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial disparities in adolescent bariatric surgery: an MBSAQIP analysis - Takeaways - MDSpire
Coming Soon: Introducing MDSpire News. Learn more
Conexiant’s news site is now MDSpire News. Learn more

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Racial Inequities in Adolescent Bariatric Surgery: An Analysis from MBSAQIP

  • By

  • Nikita S. Thareja

  • Ana Garcia Cabrera

  • J. Jeffery Reeves

  • Hannah M. Hollandsworth

  • Bryan J. Sandler

  • Garth R. Jacobsen

  • Ryan C. Broderick

  • June 16, 2026

Share

  • 1

    Severe obesity in adolescents is a growing public health issue in the U.S., with about 21% affected and at risk for serious health complications.

  • 2

    Metabolic and bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity in adolescents, yet less than 0.1% of eligible patients receive it.

  • 3

    Racial and ethnic disparities exist in access to bariatric surgery, with Black and Hispanic adolescents undergoing procedures at lower rates than White adolescents.

  • 4

    The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare delivery, affecting surgical access and potentially altering referral patterns for adolescent bariatric surgery.

  • 5

    Using the MBSAQIP registry, the study aims to assess how the pandemic influenced racial disparities in adolescent bariatric surgery rates and outcomes.

Original Source(s)

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on racial disparities in adolescent bariatric surgery: an MBSAQIP analysis

  • by Nikita S. Thareja, Ana Garcia Cabrera, J. Jeffery Reeves, Hannah M. Hollandsworth, Bryan J. Sandler, Garth R. Jacobsen, Ryan C. Broderick

  • June 16, 2026

Related Content

Weighed Down by Paperwork: Identifying Barriers to Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Evaluation in the United States

10 Growing US Metro Areas to Consider for Private Practice

These 10 metropolitan areas recorded population growth and had recently completed, ongoing, or announced health care infrastructure projects.

The effect of surgical approach on opioid prescription rates for outpatient ventral hernia repair