Barriers to Physical Exercise and Associated Factors in the Pre- and Postoperative Periods of Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Background To compare the barriers to exercise and its associated factors among patients in the pre- and postoperative periods of bariatric surgery. Methods Cross-sectional study with patients who were split into preoperative ( n \u2009=\u200981) and postoperative ( n \u2009=\u2009209) groups. It was collected sociodemographic characteristics, and the Exercise Benefits Barriers Scale was adopted in order to identify the barriers related to exercise practice. Chi-square, Mann–Whitney, and Poisson regression were applied for comparisons and associations. Results The postoperative group had a lower score on the barrier scale, except for the lack of time subdimension. In the preoperative, the subjects were considered physically active ( p \xa0=\u20090.03), and those over 42\xa0years old ( p \xa0<\u20090.001) had the lowest score in lack of time subdimension. Those with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 36.89\xa0kg/cm 2 had a higher overall score on the scale ( p \xa0<\u20090.001), also in the lack of time ( p \xa0=\u20090.003) and physical effort subdimensions ( p \u2009<\u20090.001). Those with higher education scored more in the lack of time ( p \xa0=\u20090.014) and family discouragement subdimensions ( p \xa0=\u20090.034). In the postoperative, the participants considered active had the lowest score on the general scale, as well as in all subdimensions ( p \xa0<\u20090.001), and the ones with higher education presented better scores in physical effort subdimension ( p \xa0=\u20090.041). Conclusions The preoperative group had a higher score of barriers to practice exercises related to physical effort, environment, and family discouragement, when compared to the postoperative. The factors associated were physical inactivity, BMI over 36.89\xa0kg/cm 2 , age 42\xa0years old or under, and higher education.