Surgical Intervention for Adolescent Obesity: Evolution of the Scientific Agenda from 1980 to the Present

This study comprehensively analyzed scientific publications on metabolic and bariatric surgery in adolescents, using bibliometric methods to identify thematic trends and developments in the literature. Publications indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed as of December 4, 2025, identified through the keyword combinations "adolescent" and "bariatric surgery," were analyzed using Biblioshiny (Bibliometrix) and VOSviewer. The dataset included 2,174 articles published between 1980 and 2025, and 62% were published after 2016. Obesity Surgery was the leading journal, and the USA contributed the largest share of publications (42.1%). Thematic evolution analysis revealed a paradigm shift from bariatric surgery to metabolic and bariatric surgery. This reflects a transition from an early focus on surgical techniques and weight loss to broader issues such as metabolic mechanisms, psychosocial outcomes, pharmacotherapy integration, and health disparities. The study highlights the multidimensional development of adolescent bariatric surgery research and may inform future research and practice. Multidisciplinary approaches targeting holistic care and reducing global inequalities are recommended. KEY POINTS: • The field has shifted from a technical focus on bariatric surgery to a holistic, biopsychosocial paradigm encompassing metabolic, psychological, pharmacotherapeutic, and social dimensions. • The USA is the leading contributor to the field and dominates publication output, institutional productivity, and author influence. • Obesity Surgery Journal is the most productive and influential journal and generates the highest volume of publications and citations.