Changes in physical activity after bariatric surgery: using objective and self-reported measures.

BACKGROUND

Many studies using self-reported physical activity (PA) assessment tools have suggested there is an increase in PA after bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVES

Our aim was to assess PA and sedentary behavior before bariatric surgery and at 6 months after, using subjective and objective tools.

SETTING

Bariatric surgery candidates were recruited from a single center.

METHODS

Demographic data, medical history, current medications, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Participants were asked to complete a PA and lifestyle questionnaire and to wear an accelerometer on their nondominant wrist. Data were collected before and at 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty-two participants were included (17 gastric bypass; 4 sleeve gastrectomy; 1 intragastric balloon). Mean age was 46 years and the majority were female (72%). At a median of 6.3 months follow-up, there were significant reductions in measures of body fatness with a mean reduction of 27 kg in weight. The majority of daytime (12.5±1.1 out of 16 h) was spent in sedentary behavior presurgery with little change postsurgery (12.2±1.2; P = .186). Objectively measured mean moderate-vigorous PA did not change significantly from pre- to postsurgery (mean 11.5±13.9 and 11.6±13.1 min/d, respectively; P = .971). Self-reported total nonoccupational PA did not change significantly (P = .390).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of bariatric surgery candidates were physically inactive presurgery, and there was no significant change in either subjectively or objectively measured PA at follow-up. This patient group may benefit from objective PA assessment and interventions aimed at increasing PA.