Participation in 150 min/wk of moderate or higher intensity physical activity yields greater weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: The American College of Sports Medicine's position stand on weight loss and prevention of weight regain in adults has suggested that overweight adults should participate in a minimum of 150 min/wk of moderate intensity physical activity (PA). This study compared the 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative weight loss between gastric bypass surgery (GBS) patients who met or exceeded the recommended 150 min/wk of moderate or higher PA and those not meeting the recommendation.

METHODS: The self-administered short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess moderate or higher intensity PA participation at 3 (n = 178), 6 (n = 128), and 12 months (n = 209) after GBS. The patients' height and body weight were obtained to determine the kilograms of weight lost, percentage of excess weight loss, body mass index change, and total weight loss percentage. The weight loss differences were analyzed using analysis of covariance at each point, with age and preoperative body mass index as covariates.

RESULTS: Patients reporting 150 min/wk of moderate or higher PA had significantly (P <.05) greater weight lost, percentage of excess weight loss, change in body mass index, and total weight loss percentage at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. The percentage of excess weight loss was 56.0% +/- 11.5% versus 50.5% +/- 11.6% and 67.4% +/- 14.3% versus 61.7% +/- 17.0% for the group meeting and not meeting the PA requirement at 6 and 12 months after GBS, respectively. No significant difference existed at 3 months after GBS.

CONCLUSION: Participation in a minimum of 150 min/wk of moderate or higher intensity PA was associated with greater postoperative weight loss at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Patients should be encouraged to meet or exceed this recommendation until prospective, randomized studies have definitively established a link between PA and greater postoperative weight loss and maintenance.