Evidence-based procedures for the treatment of diseases associated with childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is associated with cardiovascular events in adulthood. Multidisciplinary conventional obesity treatment programmes may reduce the body mass index standard deviation score at any age. However, over the years they lose their effectiveness especially during childhood. Only one study dealing with adult type 2 diabetic patients could show persistent weight reduction over the period of 4 years. Therefore, these conventional programmes may have short-term but no long-term influence on cardiovascular events. Bariatric surgery in childhood is exclusively performed in cases of morbid obesity. In adults, experience with regard to persistent weight loss has existed for over 20 years now and has reached good therapeutic results in type 2 diabetes. However, randomized and controlled long-term studies as to cardiovascular events and death do not exist. The Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) study showed a significant decrease of cardiovascular events and death in the bariatric surgery study group compared to the conventional therapy group, but the groups were not randomized. The surgery group was younger and healthier compared to the conservatively treated group. The late start of therapy probably also had an unfavourable influence on cardiovascular events.