In this multicenter study, we aim to recruit adolescents from various medical and non-medical settings and examine their acceptance of diagnostic and subsequent treatment procedures. We will compare the prevalence rates and severity of co-morbidities between adolescents with extreme obesity (BMI ≥35kg/m2)and those with less severe obesity (BMI 30-34.9kg/m2). This project is part of the "Medical and psychosocial implications of adolescent extreme obesity - acceptance and effects of structured care study", short: "Youth with extreme obesity Study (YES)", which also comprises a randomized controlled trial to investigate a novel intervention targeted at improving quality of life and social functioning of extremely obese adolescents, a structured prospective evaluation of adolescent bariatric surgery, and economic assessments of the financial burden of extreme adolescent obesity on the healthcare system.
Based on the current state of knowledge, we have formulated the following hypotheses in regards to baseline characteristics:
1. The prevalence of somatic, psychiatric and psycho-social co-morbidities is higher, and health related quality of life is lower in extremely obese youth compared to the control group.
2. The prevalence of somatic co-morbidities is equal in treatment-seeking and non treatment-seeking youth.
3. The prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidities is higher and health related quality of life is lower in treatment-seeking compared to non treatment-seeking youth.
4. The acceptance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is lower in extremely obese youth compared to the control group.
5. The acceptance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures is lower in non treatment-seeking- compared to treatment-seeking youth.
6. Socio-economic status, intelligence and educational status are predictors of treatment seeking behaviour and of the acceptance of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
The five participating university centers are distributed across 4 geographic regions in the North (Berlin), in the West (Essen/Datteln), in the East (Leipzig) and in the South (Ulm) of Germany, and will therefore render data that are representative of Germany as a whole. We will recruit a total of 600 adolescents age 14 to 24.9 years (initial age 21 years, changed in an amendment in February 2013) with extreme obesity (BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2) and 600 adolescents with obesity (BMI 30-34.9 kg/m2) over a 24 months period. Baseline assessments include an array of standardized questionnaires and validated instruments to assess health, psycho-social situation, psychiatric co-morbidities and health related quality of life (in the amendment in February 2013, the scope of psychosocial questions was reduced), as well as a physical examination, laboratory tests, liver ultrasound, and screenings for orthopedic co-morbidities and sleep apnea. Subjects who participate in the baseline examination will be invited to participate in the subsequent components of YES.
The project will reveal comorbidity rates and psycho-social situation, and demonstrate the acceptance and outcomes of a structured healthcare program for adolescents with extreme obesity. The planned subsequent longitudinal study will provide unique information on the medical and psychosocial development of adolescents with extreme obesity in Germany.
