Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents
Published on: November 1, 2019
Weight gain in craniopharyngioma--a model for hypothalamic obesity
Alexandra Ahmet1, Susan Blaser, Derek Stephens
1Divisions of Endocrinology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Children treated for craniopharyngioma often develop obesity post-surgery. Risk factors include pre-operative hydrocephalus and hypothalamic damage, leading to rapid BMI increase without regression.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurosurgery
Background:
- Craniopharyngioma treatment can lead to significant endocrine and neurological sequelae.
- Post-operative weight gain and obesity are common concerns in pediatric oncology patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize post-operative weight gain patterns in children after craniopharyngioma resection.
- To identify risk factors associated with developing post-operative obesity and increased BMI SDS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 43 children undergoing primary craniopharyngioma resection.
- Analysis of neurological, endocrine, anthropometric, and radiological factors.
- Assessment of Body Mass Index Standard Deviation Score (BMI SDS) changes.
Main Results:
- 58% of patients (25/43) developed post-operative obesity.
- Obesity was linked to higher pre-operative BMI SDS and hydrocephalus (p < 0.05).
- Increased BMI SDS was associated with hypothalamic damage and higher presentation BMI (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
- Hypothalamic obesity in these children presents as rapid BMI SDS increase within 6 months, followed by stabilization.
- No significant regression of BMI SDS was observed post-operatively.
Objectives:
To evaluate (1) the pattern of post-operative weight gain and (2) the risk factors associated with the development of post-operative weight gain and obesity in children treated for craniopharyngioma.
Study Design:
The records of 43 children who had primary craniopharyngioma resection were reviewed. Neurological, endocrine, anthropometric and radiological risk factors for the development of obesity and for post-operative increase in BMI SDS were analyzed.
Results:
Twenty-five patients (58%) became obese post-operatively. Obesity was significantly associated with higher BMI SDS at presentation and pre-operative hydrocephalus (p < 0.05). Increased BMI SDS from 0-12 months was significantly associated with post-operative MRI evidenced hypothalamic damage and higher BMI at presentation (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Children who developed hypothalamic obesity had a significant, rapid BMI increase over the first 6 months, followed by stabilization, with no regression of BMI SDS.
