Association between food intake, both body composition and lifestyle in patients undergoing bariatric surgery

The number of bariatric surgeries performed in Brazil increased with 85% between 2011 and 2018. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between food intake and both body composition and lifestyle in the preoperative period of bariatric surgery. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults scheduled for bariatric surgery at a university hospital in the city of Recife, Brazil. Data were collected on anthropometric characteristics, body composition determined using dual emission x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), lifestyle and food intake. Results: Sixty patients participated in this study (78.3% women; mean age: 38.8 ± 9.6 years). Regarding lifestyle, 31.7% sedentary lifestyle, 33.3% consumed alcoholic beverages and 83.3% never smoked. Absolute values of trunk fat, lean mass and bone mineral density were 26.84 ± 5.34 kg, 55.85 ± 10.19 kg and 11.1 ± 0.08 g/cm2, respectively. The association tests revealed that a lower amount of trunk fat was associated with a greater intake of carbohydrates, sedentary individuals consumed more carbohydrates and non-smokers consumed more fruits, vegetables and olive oil. Conclusions: A greater sedentary lifestyle was associated with consumption of carbohydrates. Moreover, not smoking in the preoperative period of bariatric surgery was associated with greater consumption of healthy eating markers.