Derrick Wu, MA, Ambar Banerjee, MD, Annabelle Butler, MD, Jennifer Choi, MD, Don J Selzer, MD, William Hilgendorf, PhD, HSPP. Indiana University
Introduction: Patients seeking bariatric surgery encounter a major behavioral challenge in integrating optimal physical activity to achieve long-term success. Moderate exercise following bariatric surgery is associated with greater postoperative weight loss and improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to assess the level of interest in fitness programs, weekly duration of exercise and obstacles faced to incorporate exercise in bariatric patients before and after surgery.
Methods: After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, morbidly obese patients, who presented to the Bariatric clinic at IU North Hospital were administered a questionnaire over a 3 month period. The questionnaire explored their interest in paid internet and free DVD-based workouts based on a 5-point Likert scale, average duration of moderate to strenuous exercise sessions per week and their two perceived obstacles to exercise. Descriptive statistics were used where applicable. The significance of relationships of the nominal and continuous variables was calculated with Chi-square test. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS statistical software, version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).
Results: Two hundred and ninety-four patients were enrolled in the study. Of these, 159 were preoperative while 135 were postoperative patients. 90% of the patients had access to Internet. There was more interest in the free 10-minute workout DVD than the paid Internet program. The interest in the workout DVD increased in postoperative patients compared with pre-operative ones (p=0.088). The mean duration of exercise prior to surgery was 89± 92.1 minutes/week while it decreased to 84.4± 103.7 minutes/week following surgery (p=0.717). Time was the most frequent obstacle in both groups.
The response of orthopedic pain or discomfort as an obstacle appeared to decrease in the postoperative population (43 of 139 vs. 14 of 115 post-operative patients reported this as an obstacle) (p=.001).
Conclusions: The post-operative group did not report a higher level of interest or engagement in moderate-to-strenuous exercise compared with the pre-operative group. However, significantly fewer post-operative patients recognized orthopedic pain/discomfort as a major obstacle to physical activity after surgery. The data further suggests bariatric programs should address time constraints as a major barrier when promoting physical activity.
Presented at the SAGES 2017 Annual Meeting in Houston, TX.
Abstract ID: 78629
Program Number: P519
Presentation Session: Poster (Non CME)
Presentation Type: Poster
