Body Composition, Physical Activity And Physical Function Outcomes 12 To 24 Months After Bariatric Surgery.

Abstract

Physical activity post bariatric surgery is associated with greater weight loss outcomes. However, long-term data on patients’ physical activity and physical function levels are currently scarce. PURPOSE: To examine associations between body composition, physical activity, and physical function among obese adults 12–24 months post bariatric surgery. METHODS: Baseline data from patients recruited into an ongoing exercise intervention were analysed. Body composition was assessed using bioelectrical impedance, and waist and hip circumference measurements. Physical activity was estimated using a triaxial accelerometer worn at the waist for 7 days, and physical function was assessed by an incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), grip strength, and a sit to stand test (STS). Results are presented as mean ± SD. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients with a mean age of 48.1 ± 9.19 years and BMI of 39 ± 5.1kg·m2 were recruited. Mean daily moderate to vigorous physical activity was 33 ± 19.3 min. Grip strength (right: 27.2 ± 8.5 kg; left: 26.8 ± 9.8 kg) was positively correlated with body mass (right: r = 0.621, p = 0.002; left: r = 0.540, p = 0.009) and fat free mass (right: r = 0.838, p < 0.001; left: r = 0.768, p < 0.001) but not fat mass. ISWT (325.9 ± 90.4 cm) was negatively correlated with fat mass (r = -0.520, p = 0.013), hip (r = 0.-486, p = 0.022) and waist (r = -0.521, p = 0.013) circumferences, and the STS test (13.2 ± 5.4 s) was positively correlated with waist circumference (r = 0.422, p = 0.05) but not fat free mass. When sub-divided by median split into high and low performers, the ISWT displayed a significant difference between groups in fat mass (t (20) -2.829, p = 0.010): high performers had a lower fat mass (42.0 ± 6.5 kg) than low performers (53.1 ± 10.9 kg). A significant difference was also observed between low and high performers in the STS test (t (11.5) 2.276, p = 0.043): high performers had a greater fat free mass (63.9 ± 12.5 kg) than low performers (54.3 ± 5.1 kg). CONCLUSION: Higher physical function was associated with favourable body composition assessments 12–24 months after obesity surgery. The role of post-operative physical activity in contributing to body composition and physical function warrants further attention.