TY - JOUR
T1 - Walking capacity of bariatric surgery candidates
AU - King, Wendy C.
AU - Engel, Scott G.
AU - Elder, Katherine A.
AU - Chapman, William H.
AU - Eid, George M.
AU - Wolfe, Bruce M.
AU - Belle, Steven H.
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Background: This study characterizes the walking limitations of bariatric surgery candidates by age and body mass index (BMI) and determines factors independently associated with walking capacity. The setting was multi-institutional at research university hospitals in the United States. Methods: Participants of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery study (n=2458; age 1878 yr, BMI 3394 kg/m2) attended a preoperative research visit. Their walking capacity was measured by self-report and the 400 m Long Distance Corridor Walk (LDCW). Results: Almost two thirds (64%) of subjects reported limitations with walking several blocks, 48% had an objectively defined mobility deficit, and 16% reported at least some walking aid use. In multivariate analysis, BMI, older age, lower income, and greater bodily pain were independently associated (P <.05) with walking aid use, physical discomfort during the LDCW, an inability to complete the LDCW, and a slower time to complete the LDCW. Female gender, Hispanic ethnicity (but not race), greater heart rate at rest, a history of smoking, several co-morbidities (history of stroke, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, venous edema with ulcerations), and depressive symptoms were also independently related (P <.05) to at least one measure of reduced walking capacity. Conclusions: Walking limitations are common in bariatric surgery candidates, even among the least severely obese and youngest patients. Physical activity counseling must be tailored to individuals' abilities. Although several factors identified in the present study (eg, BMI, age, pain, co-morbidities) should be considered, directly assessing the patient's walking capacity will facilitate appropriate goal setting.
AB - Background: This study characterizes the walking limitations of bariatric surgery candidates by age and body mass index (BMI) and determines factors independently associated with walking capacity. The setting was multi-institutional at research university hospitals in the United States. Methods: Participants of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery study (n=2458; age 1878 yr, BMI 3394 kg/m2) attended a preoperative research visit. Their walking capacity was measured by self-report and the 400 m Long Distance Corridor Walk (LDCW). Results: Almost two thirds (64%) of subjects reported limitations with walking several blocks, 48% had an objectively defined mobility deficit, and 16% reported at least some walking aid use. In multivariate analysis, BMI, older age, lower income, and greater bodily pain were independently associated (P <.05) with walking aid use, physical discomfort during the LDCW, an inability to complete the LDCW, and a slower time to complete the LDCW. Female gender, Hispanic ethnicity (but not race), greater heart rate at rest, a history of smoking, several co-morbidities (history of stroke, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, venous edema with ulcerations), and depressive symptoms were also independently related (P <.05) to at least one measure of reduced walking capacity. Conclusions: Walking limitations are common in bariatric surgery candidates, even among the least severely obese and youngest patients. Physical activity counseling must be tailored to individuals' abilities. Although several factors identified in the present study (eg, BMI, age, pain, co-morbidities) should be considered, directly assessing the patient's walking capacity will facilitate appropriate goal setting.
KW - Bariatric surgery
KW - Body composition
KW - Functional limitation
KW - Mobility disability
KW - Severe obesity
KW - Walking capacity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84855885258&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84855885258&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.soard.2011.07.003
DO - 10.1016/j.soard.2011.07.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 21937285
AN - SCOPUS:84855885258
SN - 1550-7289
VL - 8
SP - 48
EP - 59
JO - Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases
JF - Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases
IS - 1
ER -