Long-term Engagement in Physical Activity Among Bariatric Surgery Patients: Associations with Treatment Outcomes at 5-Year Follow-up

• Published in: Obesity surgery Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 434 - 442
• Main Authors: Launius, Kellsey N., Herb Neff, Kirstie M., Schuh, Leslie M., Saules, Karen K., Creel, David B., Inman, Margaret M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bariatric Surgery; Cross-Sectional Studies; Exercise; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gastrointestinal surgery; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Obesity, Morbid - surgery; Original Contributions; Physical fitness; Surgery; Treatment Outcome; Obesity; Exercise; Physical activity (PA); Bariatric surgery; Weight loss
• ISSN: 0960-8923; 1708-0428
• DOI: 10.1007/s11695-022-06425-x

Purpose Physical activity studies involving bariatric surgery patients tend to be short-term or cross-sectional investigations. Longer-term studies are limited and typically consist of relatively brief objective measurement periods used to generalize activity patterns. Very little research combines objective measurements with structured interviews to determine both the patterns and related factors of long-term physical activity among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods Previous volunteers in a perioperative physical activity study were invited to participate in a mixed methods study investigating physical activity among bariatric patients over a 5-year postoperative period. Fifty-one patients ( M age  = 45.4 years; 76.5% female, 90.2% White; 86.3% Roux-en-Y procedure) provided interview, survey, accelerometer, and anthropometric data. Results Participants were divided into four exercise quartiles, based on self-report of their length of regular exercise involvement from 1 year before through 5 years after surgery. Those reporting the most periods of regular exercise took the most measured steps per day, had greater moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and more bout-related activity, experienced the largest decrease in BMI, and reported the most adherence to nutritional guidelines. Participants reporting the most and least physical activity found the measurement periods to be most similar to their normal activity patterns. While physical activity increased significantly after surgery, measured physical activity did not reach recommended levels for steps or exercise bout minutes. Conclusions Measured physical activity and self-reported physical activity show congruent trends among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. More research is needed to determine optimal long-term monitoring and promotion of physical activity among patients. Graphical Abstract