Over the last 3 decades, cases of obesity have increased dramatically, from approximately 7% to 25% [18]. In addition, it is estimated that currently more than two billion people around the world are overweight or obese; these data reveal the severity of this disease as a public health problem, which justifies the need for high-quality research and scientific production in order to discover and innovate solutions to address this problem [19].

This bibliometric analysis provides an idea of the status and trend of bariatric surgery research in Latin America during the last 3 decades. Although there has been a sustained growth in scientific production, especially since 2001, it is important to question the quality and real impact of this research to have a clear and critical understanding of the current panorama. Despite the increase in the number of publications, the average number of citations received per article has been on a downward trend since 2003, suggesting that a considerable portion of the research may lack relevance or may not be addressing the most pressing needs in this field.

On the other hand, when examining the distribution of contributions, a concentration is shown in a few countries and research centers in the region. Brazil stands out as a leader in scientific production and impact in bariatric surgery, closely followed by Mexico and Chile, both Latin American countries with relevant research contributions. This disparity with respect to other Latin American nations raises questions about gaps in research capacity, available resources, and priorities set in different countries. Bariatric surgery research may not be receiving adequate attention in some nations, despite the increasing prevalence of obesity and its associated complications across the region.

Another striking aspect is the apparent lack of meaningful regional collaboration. Although there are international collaboration networks, with countries in North America, Europe, and Asia, cooperation among Latin American countries themselves seems limited. This fragmentation can be an obstacle to the exchange of knowledge, the optimization of resources, and the joint approach to shared challenges in the region. It is essential to foster greater synergy and take advantage of the complementary strengths of bariatric surgery research groups in Latin America.

A robust and extensive bibliometric study recently published by the International Federation for Bariatric Surgery (IFSO) yields important data for Latin America and the world. This study by Corrêa et al. reveals the state of the scientific literature on bariatric surgery over the past 71 years. The authors observed that scientific production is overwhelmingly led by the USA, with 65.7% of publications. However, the analysis by restricted region shows that Brazil is the most productive country in Latin America, accounting for 7.5% of global production. This suggests that, although the USA leads research globally, Brazil could assume a leading role in the progress of bariatric surgery in Latin America [18].

The authors describe that the growth of scientific publications has been exponential since 2000, figures that are consistent with our findings. This increase, according to Corrêa et al., is related to the increase in the frequency of obesity and the subsequent need for surgeries to address both obesity and its associated diseases [18].

In addition, other global bibliometric analyses have also revealed findings similar to those obtained in our study. In their paper entitled “The Evolution of Bariatric Surgery Publications and Global Productivity: A Bibliometric Analysis” [20], Zeki Ozsoy and Emre Demir examined scientific publications from 1980 to 2016, finding extremely interesting data. Regarding Latin America, the authors concluded that Brazil is one of the countries with the highest number of publications and growth in research on bariatric surgery, above France, Spain, and Germany, and the authors observed, as we do, that scientific production has been increasing since 2001. However, Ozsoy and Demir [20] described that the number of citations shows an increasing trend at the global level, unlike our analysis that shows a decrease for Latin America; therefore, the question arises as to why this behavior in Latin America [20].

Ozsoy and Demir explore an economic and development aspect that could shed light on the disparity in research capacity in Latin America. These authors recognize the impact that variables such as gross domestic product (GDP), GDP per capita, and the Human Development Index (HDI) have on scientific production in the field of bariatric surgery. The authors take as an example the USA, a country with much more favorable economic variables than most Latin American countries. According to Ozsoy and Demir, this is reflected in the considerable budget allocated for research, the abundance of research centers, and the growth in the prevalence of obesity in the USA. These variables tend to be limited in some Latin American countries [20].

In addition to this, studies such as those of Debi et al. [21] and Corrêa et al. [22] support the relationship between the amount of scientific production in bariatric surgery and the country’s GDP, in addition to total health expenditure and the prevalence of obesity. Likewise, the study by Paolino et al. [18, 22] observes a relationship between higher scientific production in higher-income countries compared to low-income countries, so it can be concluded that economic and development indicators have a significant impact on a country’s scientific production.

Although limitations have been identified, this study offers valuable information that can be used to strengthen and guide future research in bariatric surgery in the region. By revealing the strengths and weaknesses present, it is possible to create concrete strategies to address the deficiencies that exist. For example, these findings can be used to inform how to allocate resources and set research priorities in countries and centers with lower scientific output. Likewise, by recognizing emerging subject areas and promising research niches, researchers can more effectively coordinate their efforts with present and future needs.

Our work highlights the importance of promoting greater regional and international collaboration in bariatric surgery research from a health policy perspective. This information can be used by governments and health entities to plan programs that encourage the formation of research networks, the sharing of knowledge, and the efficient use of resources. Also, the findings can support the establishment of specific training and education programs to improve research skills in countries with lower participation. Clinical intervention strategies can benefit from a deeper understanding of research trends, which would facilitate the more informed adoption of evidence-based practices and a more personalized approach in diverse local contexts.