Background

Lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with reduced weight loss following metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), although factors driving differences have not been widely explored. This study aims to describe the impact of SES on post-surgical dietary intake and physical activity and to determine how these factors contribute to post-surgical outcomes.

Methods

Anthropometrics, 3-day validated 24-hour dietary recall, and 7-day actigraphy was collected prospectively at baseline, and at 12- and 24-months post-MBS in 124 patients. Self-reported income was used to categorize patients into low, middle, and high SES.

Results

Mean percent total weight loss (%TWL) at 24 months in low (26.5 +- 8.4%), middle (27.4 +- 9.6%), and high (27.4 +- 9.5%) SES groups did not differ (p = 0.99). Similarly, mean percent weight regained from nadir weight (%WR) at 24 months did not differ among low (15.0 +- 19.3%), middle (5.45 +- 12.95%), or high (13.1 +- 15.7%) SES groups (p = 0.10). Average daily kilo-caloric intake (kcal) and average daily minutes of MVPA averaged across all timepoints were not predictive of TWL% at 24 months for low [kcal: (p = 0.69); MVPA (p = 0.50)], middle [kcal: (p = 0.81); MVPA (p = 0.93)], or high [kcal: (p = 0.36); MVPA (p = 0.76)] SES.

Conclusions

All SES groups achieved similar %TWL and %WR at 24 months and kcal and MVPA did not differ by SES nor predict %TWL at 24 months suggesting good benefit across SES.