Optimising weight loss outcomes in bariatric surgery patients: the role of physical activity

Background: The effect of physical activity on weight loss outcomes post bariatric surgery is not well understood. This study sets out to determine if there is a correlation between physical activity levels of patients and their percentage excess weight loss following bariatric surgery.

Methods: Using the bariatric clinic’s database, 261 participants were identified who underwent bariatric surgery between June 2008 and June 2009. The World Health Organisation’s Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was used to assess and quantify physical activity levels. In accordance with the GPAQ guidelines, metabolic equivalent (MET) minutes and total physical activity levels were calculated. Percentage excess weight loss values found in the clinic database were collected during the participants’ follow-up visits.

Results: A total of 125 patients participated in the study. The study population was mainly female (258; 98.8%), with a Caucasian predominance (148; 56.7%). Surgeries included: laparoscopic band (110; 42.1%); Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (94; 36%); and sleeve (20; 7.6%). When stratified into low, medium and high physical activity levels, all three groups showed an increasing mean percentage excess weight loss over the six-month postoperative period, from 17.99-20.02% at one month to 35.93-40.67% at six months. However, there was no correlation between the physical activity levels or the MET-minutes and the percentage excess weight loss in the study group on the whole or when stratified by surgery type.

Conclusion: Our cross-sectional study failed to demonstrate a correlation between physical activity levels and percentage excess weight loss in post-bariatric surgery patients. Further prospective studies that consider factors such as percentage fat loss, lean body mass values, preoperative physical activity levels and caloric intake are recommended to gain a better understanding of the role physical activity plays in weight loss outcomes in postoperative bariatric patients.