Increase in Protein Intake After 3 Months of RYGB Is an Independent Predictor for the Remission of Obesity in the First Year of Surgery.

INTRODUCTION

Although bariatric surgery promotes dietary changes, many questions regarding their effect on weight loss remain unanswered.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in dietary intake and predictive factors of obesity remission in the first 12 months after RYGB.

METHODS

Fifty-one patients (mean 39.34 ± 9.38 years, 68.7% women) who underwent RYGB were included in this study. Dietary intake was evaluated through a 24-h dietary recall and subsequently classified by NOVA, macronutrients and calories. The predictive factors for obesity remission within 12 months after RYGB were evaluated by Cox regression.

RESULTS

At baseline, 62.7% of the patients presented severe obesity; mean excess weight loss was greater than 80% after 1 year of surgery and about 70% of the patients were no longer diagnosed with obesity. An increase in percentage of calories from protein was observed at 3 and 12 months after surgery. The caloric contribution of ultra-processed foods was low at 3 months after surgery while that of unprocessed or minimally processed foods was high at 3 and 12 months after surgery. From the Cox regression analysis, preoperative BMI (HR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.69-0.88) and age (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.89-0.99) showed an inverse association with obesity remission. Also, Δ protein (at 3 months-baseline) showed a positive association with obesity remission (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12).

CONCLUSION

Lower preoperative BMI, lower age, and higher protein intake at 3 months after surgery may favor remission of obesity in up to 12 months compared with baseline.