In Sheffield they have planned to trial the gastric balloon on 10 children (aged 13-18) who weigh between 14-20 stone. Although very few studies have been carried out on young people, it has been very effective with adults. The specialist children's hospital has intended to offer it as an option where other treatments have been unsuccessful.
Doctors have said that lifestyle advice is very important in helping young people to lose weight and that the gastric balloon is not a quick fix.
A gastric balloon works by inserting a silicon bag of saline or water into the patient's stomach and inflating it. The pressure created in the stomach gives the patient a sensation of fullness after eating a small portion. The balloon is usually removed after a maximum of 6 months and the patient must continue to eat smaller portions in order to maintain weight loss.
If the trial is approved, the young people will be followed over 2 years to see if the balloon has helped them to lose weight. They will also be working with the behavioural support team to try and support the adolescents to keep the weight off long term.
However before the doctors can go ahead with the trial, the ethics committee must agree.
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