Background

Bariatric surgery might change liking (i.e., pleasure for things in the moment) of food and physical activity (PA) in ways that promote weight loss. However, few studies have characterized these changes and their associations with weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). ObjectiveTo evaluate whether postoperative changes in liking of 'healthy' and 'unhealthy' foods and PA are associated with 1-year percent total weight loss (%TWL) after SG.

Methods

Participants completed a validated Food Liking Survey rating their liking of 87 foods/beverages, physical/sedentary activities, and pleasant/unpleasant experiences (scale 0-100). Food groups were constructed into a dietary quality index (DQI) based on healthiness. A healthy behavior index (HBI) included all groups in DQI plus the physical activity group. Repeated measures ANOVA, and linear regression were used to examine changes in DQI/HBI and their associations with %TWL.

Results

Fifty-seven participants (82% female, mean age 42.2 years, BMI 45.3) completed the FLS pre- and one year postoperatively. There were significant changes in liking of fats (-2.84, p=0.037), sweet foods (-4.67, p=0.003), sweet drinks (-6.26, p<0.001), refined carbohydrates (-6.36, p<0.001), alcohol (-6.44, p=0.031), and PA (+6.82, p<0.001). Postoperative increase in HBI was associated with %TWL after controlling for demographics and baseline BMI (n=52, p<0.05, β=0.295).

Conclusions

Increase of HBI reflected by decreased liking of 'unhealthy' foods and increased liking of PA is associated with greater %TWL after SG. Additional research is needed to identify mechanisms of postoperative changes in liking and how best to target them to optimize weight loss and health outcomes.