Influence of activity levels and energy intake on percent excess weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: Gastric bypass is a successful medical intervention for weight loss for obesity. Weight loss is substantial after this surgery. Predictors of the most successful weight loss are not yet fully known. The purpose of this study was to define variables that improve percent excess weight loss (%EWL) in this post-surgical population. METHODS: All patients who underwent the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) during the 5 years preceding the study in one surgical practice (n = 805; respondents = 265; 33%) received the Arizona Activity Frequency Questionnaire and the Arizona Food Frequency Questionnaire. Analysis through ANOVA testing to determine relationships between selected behaviors and %EWL was performed. RESULTS: Comparisons of differences in mean %EWL were analyzed using the variables of energy consumption/day (energy consumption), hours of activity/day (hours in activity), and energy expended in activity/day (energy expended). Patients with more energy expended, and hours in activity demonstrated significantly better %EWL (p = 0.05) when compared to those with less energy expended or hours in activity. Reported energy consumption did not significantly influence %EWL in this study. CONCLUSIONS: This research suggests that in this sample of post-RYGB patients, energy expended in activity, as either energy expended or hours in activity improved their %EWL over those persons not expending as much energy in activity. Increasing the hours in activity improved the maintenance of %EWL in these respondents. Energy consumption did not have a statistically significant effect on %EWL or maintenance of %EWL in these subjects.

An evaluation of a state hepatitis prevention and control program: focus group interviews with clients.

This article presents the results of the qualitative component of a comprehensive evaluation of a state hepatitis prevention and control program. The qualitative component of the evaluation was designed to assess the motivational factors behind clients seeking hepatitis-related services and explore their experiences with the services provided by local health departments. The transtheoretical model was employed as a means of identifying the stage of change the client was in and what processes of change were useful in moving the client through the various stages of change. Focus groups were conducted with 44 participants in six different counties in Florida. Results of the focus group interviews support the use of the transtheoretical model in program evaluation using focus group methods. The findings of the focus groups suggest the need for education of the public and health care providers regarding hepatitis and the importance of supportive relationships to clients seeking and receiving hepatitis screening and vaccination.