WEIGHT LOSS SURGERIES ARE NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
Doctors say pushy parents are putting their children’s lives at risk
ABU DHABI — Overweight or obese children must be encouraged to step outdoors to play and not go under the knife. But more parents are opting for complicated weight-reducing surgeries instead of helping kids make lifestyle changes at home.
Under UAE law, it is illegal for children below the age of 18 to undergo complicated bariatric surgery, yet overweight children as young as 12 are being “pushed” by their parents, claim doctors.
Dr Majid M. Bassuni, CMO, Consultant General, Laparoscopic, Bariatric and Colorectal Surgery, Universal Hospital, Al Ain, told Khaleej Times that just this month he received two girls aged 12 and 13 whose parents wanted them to reduce flab through surgery. Of the 50 patients he receives a week, at least four young patients’ parents are requesting the complicated surgery.
He pointed out that the girls’ BMI were around 26-27 — a BMI over 30 is considered obese. “With some education, objective assessment and proper advice, the parents were convinced that surgery is not the right solution,” he said.
Bariatric surgery is permitted on children only in some cases if they are more than 14 years of age.
Another recent case was that of a 13-year-old Emirati boy who weighed 112kg. The boy came to the clinic believing he had high blood pressure and was a candidate for the procedure. The doctor sent the patient to the heart specialty department for assessment, which revealed that he did not have high blood pressure.
“This is why it is crucial for schools and parents to be careful with what they tell kids, because some patients will use any excuse to have surgery,” Dr Bassuni said.
Dr Aysha W. Mahmoud, Specialist — Paediatrics at Bareen International Hospital, said before parents turn their young ones over for surgery, they must consider major lifestyle changes at home. She said she regularly receives cases of overweight children, adding that one of the most crucial factors in ensuring they drop weight the healthy way is thorough counselling.
“It’s important to work on diets, consulting with the patient, providing a nutritionist and regularly following up with them.” Many children refuse to eat proper meals at home and parents opt for “quick meals,” which are often loaded with carbohydrates, fats and salt. “The kids are eating mainly carbohydrates and hardly eating any vegetables and protein,” she said.
Dr Bassuni stressed that the myth of bariatric surgery being the solution for obesity must thus be wiped out, because it is the unhealthy mindset that must be changed first. “It shouldn’t be seen as a solution, that’s why patients should be thoroughly assessed — they need psychological assessments.”
The dangers
The greatest danger on children caused by the surgery is the bone structure and the hormonal effects. Moreover, the surgery can also cause a girl to become infertile in their future. “This is because of the cholesterol not being absorbed and formed properly in the body in their teenage years, their ability to produce sex hormones will be effected.