Although many adolescents today are overweight, there are some teens whose extreme obesity causes serious medical complications, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome, just to name a few. These teens often are unable to lose weight through diet and exercise. However, not losing weight — and continuing to gain — is a dangerous path for them.

Shaina Eckhouse, MD discusses The Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program at Children's and how studies show that obese adolescents remain so into adulthood, with the consequence of worsening medical conditions that limit their activities and shorten their lives.