Physical activity, eating habits and weight loss outcomes two years following sleeve gastrectomy in women.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a commonly utilized surgical procedure for managing weight and patients must adopt healthy lifestyle practices and dietary modifications to sustain weight loss and prevent relapse. This study aims to evaluate the dietary habits, levels of physical activity, and weight outcomes among Saudi women post-gastric sleeve surgery.

Methods and study design: This study involved 352 female participants aged 20 to 50, who had undergone gastric sleeve surgery. The Bariatric Patients As-sociation, Bariatric World and Patients Forum were also used and contacted via phone. Surveys were used to ascertain their physical activity levels and dietary behaviors; a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was also utilized and each participant's BMI was calculated.

Results: The study involved 352 women, of whom the highest proportion was in the 40-50 age group. Prior to the surgery, nearly all of the participants (98.9%) were diagnosed as having obesity or morbid obesity, which significantly decreased following the surgery. According to the participants, the primary reason for undergoing the surgery was failed dietary regimens (26.4%). A considerable portion of participants continued consuming dietary supplements post-surgery (35.59%) and frequently consumed juices and sweets. Most of the participants did not meet the WHO rec-ommendations for regular physical activity. Correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between BMI and the consumption of healthy foods post-surgery.

Conclusions: The study identified concerning life-style habits among the participants, underscoring the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity to optimize the long-term benefits of weight loss surgery and enhance overall well-being.