Weight-Loss Surgery Could Reverse Diabetes In Children, Study Says

December 29, 2008 7:13 a.m. EST

Miami, FL (AHN) - Weight-loss surgery can reverse diabetes in teenagers, according to a new study published this week.

Researchers at six medical centers followed 78 children with type-2 diabetes. Eleven of the children -- ages 13-21 - had gastric bypass surgery.

These people were on average 190 pounds overweight. A year later, all but one of the study participants dropped about one-third of their body weight, but what was more surprising was that 10 of the children were able to stop taking diabetes medication.

Patients that did not have the surgery saw limited health benefits over the same time period.

Some of the researchers said they didn't believe the weight loss alone was responsible for the patients' diabetes going into remission. The surgery could change the way the human body processes sugar.