Evaluation of eating habits and lifestyle in patients with obesity before and after bariatric surgery: a single Italian center experience

Background: The study evaluated and compared the eating habits and lifestyle of patients with moderate to severe obesity who have undergone Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG). Methods: Food frequency (FF), food habits (FH), physical activity and life style (PA) as well as smoking habits (SH) were analyzed in 50 RYGB (25 M; aged: 24–64) and 50 SG patients (25 M; aged: 22–63) by means of a validated questionnaire, before (T₀) and 6 months (T₁) post bariatric surgery. A score for each section (FF, FH, PA, SH) was calculated. Results: ANOVA analysis (age/sex adjusted): FF and FH scores improved at T₁ (RYGB and SG: p < 0.001); PA score improved but not significantly; SH score did not change at T₁ neither in RYGB nor in SG. Mixed models: FF and PA scores did not correlate with age, gender, weight, BMI, neither in RYGB nor in SG; FH score was negatively correlated both with weight (RYGB: p = 0.002) and BMI (SG: p = 0.003); SH score was positively correlated with age, in SG (p = 0.002); the correlation was stronger in females than in males (p = 0.004). Conclusions: Although dietary habits improved, patients did not change their physical activity level or their smoking habits. Patients should receive adequate lifestyle counseling to ensure the maximal benefit from bariatric surgery.