Influence of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Patients from the Bariatric Surgery Waiting List

• Main Authors: Maciej Walędziak, Anna Różańska-Walędziak, Paweł Bartnik, Joanna Kacperczyk-Bartnik, Michał Janik, Piotr Kowalewski, Andrzej Kwiatkowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-05-01
• Series: Medicina
• Subjects: bariatric surgery; obesity; COVID-19
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/57/5/505
• ISSN: 1010-660X; 1648-9144

<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Social isolation and lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic have influenced dietary habits and physical activity of all the population, but the obese population is the most vulnerable to weight gain. <i>Material and Methods:</i> A group of 189 patients (166 female and 23 male) from the bariatric surgery waiting list filled in a survey about the influence of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on their dietary habits, physical activity, and the possibility of contact with their bariatric care center. <i>Results:</i> The majority of patients with weight gain declared a decrease in physical activity, compared to half of the patients without weight gain (50.5% vs. 74.5%, <i>p</i> < 0.05). The continuation of bariatric care and the possibility of contact with a bariatric surgeon, dietician, and psychologist had each significant influence on reducing the risk of patients’ weight gain (<i>p</i> < 0.05). <i>Conclusions:</i> Maintaining physical activity and contact with bariatric care specialists are important factors in allowing to avoid weight gain in patients waiting for bariatric surgery.