Physical Activity Improves Lipid and Weight Loss Outcomes Post-Metabolic Bariatric Surgery in Adolescents with Severe Obesity

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that Physical Activity (PA) improves cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related lipids beyond that associated with weight loss in adolescents with severe obesity, post-metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). METHODS: We used objective StepWatch™ PA data from 108 participants of the Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study from baseline to 3 years post-MBS. Primary outcomes included absolute change in low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and non-high density lipoprotein (non-HDL-C) from baseline. We adjusted for baseline measurement, visit, surgical procedure, and percent change in iliac waist circumference (IWC) or body mass index (BMI) from baseline in linear regression models using generalized estimating equations. PROC TRAJ in SAS generated optimal activity trajectories based on individual step count. RESULTS: Despite low step counts and slow cadence, differences by activity trajectory were found. Greater absolute decreases in LDL-C and non-HDL-C (−15 mg/dL [95% CI: (−28, −2)], p =0.026 and −15 mg/dL [95% CI: (−28, −1)], p = 0.035), respectively, were associated with more activity (MA). MA was associated with greater resolution of triglycerides, LDL-C and non-HDL-C dyslipidemia and with greater weight loss 3 years post-MBS. CONCLUSION: More activity in adolescents was associated with improvements in CVD-related lipid measures and weight loss, post-MBS.