Energy Balance Following Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Pilot Study of Daily Caloric Intake and Step Count

Background: The popularity of weight loss surgery (WLS) has surged in the United States during the past decade. Although obesity-related comorbidities show improvement with WLS, there is limited research about long-term weight maintenance strategies. Methods: The purpose of this pilot study was to explore daily caloric intake and walking behaviors associated with weight maintenance in post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass patients (n=24) two or more years postsurgery. Demographic, anthropometric, food record, and step count data were collected. Results: Weight maintenance was stable at a mean body mass index of 33.7±8 kg/m[sup]2. Weight regained from the lowest reported weight averaged 16.2±12.7 kg. Of this sample, 18 (75%) have sustained a weight loss ≥50% of their excess body weight. A mean total caloric intake of 1,429±411 calories was reported with a caloric breakdown of 43% from carbohydrate, 17% from protein, and 39% from fat. Of those individuals who identified themselves as currently gaining weight (n=9), a caloric intake of approximately of 1,630±532 kcals and 3,217±1,155 steps per day were recorded. Compared to those individuals who were sustaining a significant weight loss (n=15), approximately 1,343±275 kcals were consumed per day and they averaged 6,915±3,715 steps per day. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups for step count (t(17)=3.81, p