Associations of changes in physical activity and sedentary time with weight recurrence after bariatric surgery: a 5-year prospective study

BACKGROUND: Increasing physical activity and limiting sedentary time may minimize weight recurrence after bariatric surgery. However, few studies have evaluated potential associations of objectively-measured physical activity and sedentary time with post-surgical weight recurrence over time. AIMS: To evaluate associations of change in physical activity and sedentary time with weight recurrence after bariatric surgery. METHODS: Participants from the Oslo Bariatric Surgery Study, a prospective cohort study, wore an ActiGraph monitor for seven days at 1- and 5 years after surgery to assess daily physical activity and sedentary time. Participants’ weight was measured at in-person clinic visits. Chi-square Test and Paired-samples T-test evaluated group differences and change over time, while Pearson’s Correlation, multiple logistic and linear regression investigated associations between variables. RESULTS: Five years after surgery 79 participants (70.5% response rate, 81% female) (mean (sd) age: 54.0 (±9.3), BMI: 32.1 (±4.7)) had valid monitor data. Participants increased their sedentary time (71.4 minutes/day (95% CI: 54.2–88.6, p = <0.001)) and reduced daily steps (−1411.1 (95% CI: 737.8–208.4), p = <0.001), light physical activity (−54.1 min/day (95% CI: 40.9–67.2, p = <0.001)), and total physical activity (−48.2 (95% CI: 34.6–63.3), p = <0.001) from 1- to 5 years after surgery. No change was found for moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. No associations were found between changes in steps, physical activity or sedentary time and weight recurrence. CONCLUSION: Participants increased sedentary time and decreased light- and total physical activity between 1- and 5 years post-surgery. Overall, changes in physical activity and sedentary time were not associated with weight recurrence. Interventions to help patients increase physical activity and limit sedentary time after bariatric surgery are needed.