Teen-LABS conducted coordinated clinical, epidemiological, and behavioral research focused on adolescent bariatric surgery. The study developed common clinical protocols and a bariatric surgery database for the purpose of collecting information from participating clinical centers that performed bariatric surgery on teenagers. Outside of investigating surgical outcomes, Teen-LABS sought to better understand the etiology, pathophysiology, and behavioral aspects of severe obesity in youth as well as how severe obesity impacts humans over time. Participants were recruited from six clinical centers and underwent bariatric surgery. Pre- and post-surgery data and biospecimens were obtained at pre-determined points.

The objective of the Teen-LABS study was to use standardized techniques to assess the short and longer-term safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery in adolescents compared to adults.

The primary outcome measures for Teen-LABS included:

• Percent change in body mass index from baseline
• Change in number of participants achieving remission from baseline type 2 diabetes (T2D)
• Change in number of participants achieving remission from baseline hypertension

• Number of participants with hypoferritinemia
• Number of participants with hypovitaminosis B12
• Occurrence of abdominal re-operations

Inclusion criteria:

• Individuals < 19 years of age
• Approved to undergo bariatric surgery by a Teen-LABS certified surgeon at one of the Teen-LABS clinical sites
• Primary caregivers of adolescent participants (for their weight, height, and demographic variables only)
• Informed consent/assent obtained

Exclusion criteria:

• Individuals 19 years or older
• Informed consent/assent not obtained
• Unable to communicate with local study staff

The study found that younger adolescents with severe obesity should not be denied surgical intervention based on age alone. Providers should consider adolescents of all ages as candidates for surgical intervention for obesity when surgery is clinically indicated.