Physical Function, Quality of Life, and Energy Expenditure During Activities of Daily Living in Obese, Post-Bariatric Surgery, and Healthy Subjects.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate physical function (PF), quality of life (QOL), and energy expenditure (EE) during activities of daily living (ADL) in late outcome post-bariatric surgery (BS) patients and to compare them to severe obese individuals and matched controls.

METHODS: Sixty-three subjects were included: 21 patients in post-operative (PO) of BS (3-4 years post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) with a stable weight for at least 6 months (16 women, 41 ± 11 years old, BMI = 28 ± 4 kg m-2 ) (group PO); 21 obese individuals with BS indication (16 women, 44 ± 9 years old, BMI = 44 ± 6 kg m-2 ) (group OB); and 21 controls matched to PO by gender, age, and BMI (16 women, 42 ± 12 years old, BMI = 27 ± 6 kg m-2 ) (group MC). PF was objectively assessed by the Glittre and modified Glittre ADL-tests. QOL (SF-36), EE (activity monitoring during ADL), and body composition (bioelectrical impedance) were also assessed.

RESULTS: OB had worse PF (Glittre ADL-test) compared to PO and MC (OB = 224 ± 76 s; PO = 143 ± 39 s; and MC = 118 ± 17 s; p < 0.0001). The same was observed for QOL (p < 0.05 for all SF-36 domains). OB also had higher total EE in the Glittre ADL-test. However, 63% of the activity time was in low-intensity EE. In the Glittre modified protocol, OB had poorer performance than PO and MC when walking up/downstairs, rising/sitting in a chair, and moving objects on a shelf.

CONCLUSIONS: Post-BS patients have better PF and QOL and perform activities under lower total EE than obese subjects, very similar to matched controls.