05:51 PM PDT on Monday, May 16, 2005

By JEAN ENERSEN / KING 5 News

Obesity is growing at such an alarming rate that some medical experts consider it a worldwide pandemic. Studies show morbidly obese teenagers make up the fastest growing obese segment of our population. Experts point to several reasons as the cause: high-calorie fast foods, lack of exercise, and genetics. Now a popular solution - weight-reduction surgery - is targeting an even younger clientele.

“I was always just so concerned with what I looked like that I couldn’t be a kid,” said 17-year-old Emily Sperry.

16-year-old Stuart Logan weighs in at about 579 pounds.

Sperry quit school her senior year, quit her job, and her church. The Monroe, Wash., teen says, obesity compelled her to drop out of life.

“I was 287 pounds and my ideal weight for my heigh is 130 pounds,” said Sperry.

“I am 6’2” and I weigh at last count about 579 pounds,” said 16-year-old Stuart Logan.

Logan, from Redmond, Wash., took a leave of absence from school and now spends up to 12 hours a day in front of his computer.

“I don’t go out that much, I suffer from pretty bad social anxiety problems,” said Logan.

Doctors consider both Sperry and Logan “morbidly obese” — more than 100 pounds overweight. They both suffer from sleep apnea, loss of energy, depression, and are on several medications.

Pediatricians recommended that Sperry and Logan consider surgery. Logan is the youngest person in our area to undergo gastric-banding.

Surgeons wrap a type of circular balloon around the patient’s upper stomach. A port placed near the skin’s surface, allows doctors to “inflate” the “balloon” with saline solution, constricting the stomach. that reduces the amount of food a person can eat, and stifles hunger pangs.

Loban is part of a research group at Kirkland’s “Northwest Weight Loss Surgery” center, since the FDA has not approved the so-called “lap band” for adolescents under 18.

“The earlier we can intervene and help them get to a healthier and more normal weight, the better off they’ll be,” said Dr. Kevin Montgomery, weight loss surgeon.

Montgomery believes surgery may prevent morbidly obese teens from early on-set of life-threatening diseases as well as positively impact their psychological development. But lap-band surgery for teens is not covered by most insurance companies.

“The surgery is expensive,” said Montgomery. “At this point, it’s around $18,000.”

It was a financial sacrifice Emily Sperry’s family felt was crucial.

“I didn’t want her to lose any more of her life,” said Jaynee Sperry, Emily Sperry’s mom. “I want to make this work.”

Doctors say patients’ attitudes have a huge impact on their success. but they emphasize the lap band is only a tool that patients must combine with better diets and exercise.

Stuart Logan’s mother hopes his surgery improves his outlook and his social interaction.

“Without surgery, I don’t see a very long life for him at all,” said Margaret Logan.

Doctors say it may take Stuart Logan two years to reduce his body size in half, to about 300 pounds.

Dr. Montgomery believes gastric-banding is less risky for adolescents than the other popular surgical method of gastric by-pass surgery. And surgeons can remove the gastric-band, if the patient desires later in life.

For more information on the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery clinic, call 425-899-4610