title: Exercise following bariatric surgery: systematic review.
abstract: The contribution of physical activity on the degree of weight loss following bariatric surgery is unclear. To determine impact of exercise on postoperative weight loss. Medline search (1988-2009) was completed using MeSH terms including bariatric procedures and a spectrum of patient factors with potential relationship to weight loss outcomes. Of the 934 screened articles, 14 reported on exercise and weight loss outcomes. The most commonly used instruments to measure activity level were the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and a variety of self-made questionnaires. The definition of an active patient varied but generally required a minimum of 30 min of exercise at least 3 days per week. Thirteen articles reported on exercise and degree of postoperative weight loss (n = 4,108 patients). Eleven articles found a positive association of exercise on postoperative weight loss, and two did not. Meta-analysis of three studies revealed a significant increase in 1-year postoperative weight loss (mean difference = 4.2% total body mass index (BMI) loss, 95% confidence interval (CI; 0.26-8.11)) for patients who exercise postoperatively. Exercise following bariatric surgery appears to be associated with a greater weight loss of over 4% of BMI. While a causal relationship cannot be established with observational data, this finding supports the continued efforts to encourage and support patients' involvement in post-surgery exercise. Further research is necessary to determine the recommended activity guidelines for this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 LeConte Ave, 72-215 CHS, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. mlivhits@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Masha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Livhits
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mercado
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yermilov
authors.forename: Janak A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Parikh
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dutson
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mehran
authors.forename: Clifford Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Melinda Maggard
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Gibbons
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology*