There is no convincing, science-based treatment or care concept for adolescents with severe obesity in Germany or other countries. The affected young people have an increased risk of numerous somatic comorbidities (e.g. type 2 diabetes mellitus, orthopaedic disorders and sleep apnoea syndrome), mental disorders (e.g. depression and anxiety disorders, social phobia and self-harming behaviour), as well as social isolation (e.g. avoidance of school and unemployment), which develops due to functional impairments and stigmatisation. Despite the negative effects of severe obesity in adolescence, these young people are medically difficult to reach and treat. Only a small percentage of patients actively seek treatment.Aware of these difficulties, the German multi-centre Youth with Extreme Obesity (YES) Study (funded by the German Ministry of Education and Science; 01 GI 1120 A and B) was carried out between 2012 and 2019 with the aim of improving care concepts for this neglected group of young people. In our article, we show possible supply routes. These consist of accompanying the adolescents and treating their comorbidities, sustainable lifestyle interventions in a protected environment and treatment for weight reduction through bariatric surgery. The overriding goals for patients are an increase in self-esteem, early diagnosis and treatment of secondary diseases and integration into the training and labour market.
Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Body weight regulation; Job center; Living unit; Stigmatisation.