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?:abstract
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BACKGROUND: The global COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on society. Bariatric patients are more prone to severe infection due to their high body-mass-index (BMI) and are more vulnerable to the effects of isolation such as depression or disruption of their health habits. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of self-quarantine on bariatric patients and its relationship with weight gain. SETTING: Academic hospital, United States. METHODS: A 30-item survey examining several known contributors to weight regain was distributed among the postoperative bariatric patients of our clinic. Change in eating habits, exercise, depression, social support, loneliness, and anxiety were studied, among others. RESULTS: A total of 208 patients completed the survey (29.3% response rate). A large percentage of patients reported an increase in their depression (44.2%), loneliness (36.2%), nervousness (54.7%), snacking (62.6%), loss of control when eating (48.2%), binge eating (19.5%), and a decrease in their social support (23.2%), healthy food eating (45.5%), and activity (55.2%). 13% reported hardship with vitamins’ accessibility. Patients more than 18 months out of surgery regained more than 2 kg during an average of 47 days. Risk factors for weight regain were found to be loss of control when eating, increase in snacking and binge eating, reduced consumption of healthy food, and reduced physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric patients are negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent social isolation on many levels. This patient population is vulnerable to crisis situations and thus additional intervention is needed in order to address behaviors that lead to weight regain.
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