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Bariatric Surgery versus Lifestyle Interventions for Morbid Obesity—Changes in Body Weight, Risk Factors and Comorbidities at 1 Year

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Abstract

Background

Few studies have looked at non-surgical alternatives for morbid obese patients. This study aims to compare 1-year weight loss and changes in risk factors and comorbidities after bariatric surgery and three conservative treatments.

Methods

Patients with morbid obesity (BMI > 40 or BMI > 35 kg/m2 plus comorbidities) on waiting list for bariatric surgery, were non-randomly allocated to (A) bariatric surgery or to one of three conservative treatments; (B) residential intermittent program; (C) commercial weight loss camp and (D) hospital outpatient program. Body weight, risk factors and comorbidities were assessed at baseline and 1 year.

Results

Of 206 participants, 179 completed the study. All treatments resulted in significant weight loss, but bariatric surgery (40 ± 14 kg, 31 ± 9%) led to the largest weight loss (P < 0.0001). There were no differences in weight loss between B and C (22 ± 13 kg, 15 ± 8% vs. 18 ± 12 kg, 13 ± 8%), but these resulted in larger weight loss compared with D (7 ± 10 kg, 5 ± 8%). There were no differences in changes in total or LDL cholesterol, triacylglycerols or glucose between groups; however, the increase in HDL cholesterol was significantly larger in groups A and C. There were no differences in comorbidities resolution between groups A and B, C and D combined (except hypertension, which was better in group A).

Conclusion

In conclusion, although bariatric surgery leads to a greater weight loss at 1 year compared with conservative treatment, in patients with morbid obesity, clinical significant weight loss and similar improvements in risk factors and comorbidities resolution can also be achieved with lifestyle interventions.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the nursing staff of the Centre for Obesity, Department of Surgery at St. Olav University Hospital, in particular Mrs. Sissel Salater and Mrs. Randi Pierre for their technical and clinical assistance, and all the research participants for their cooperation and commitment.

Funding and conflict of interest

This project was supported by a grant from Central Norway Regional Health Authority. The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that would prejudice the impartiality of this scientific work.

Disclosure statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obesity Research Group, Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Catia Martins, Magnus Strømmen & Bård Kulseng

  2. Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Technology and Science, Trondheim, Norway

    Magnus Strømmen

  3. Centre for Obesity, Department of Surgery, St. Olav Hospital—Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    Catia Martins, Magnus Strømmen, Ronald Mårvik & Bård Kulseng

  4. Røros Rehabilitation Centre, Rørøs, Norway

    Ola A. Stavne

  5. Clinical Services, St. Olavs Hospital—Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway

    Randi Nossum

Authors
  1. Catia Martins
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  2. Magnus Strømmen
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  3. Ola A. Stavne
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  4. Randi Nossum
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  5. Ronald Mårvik
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  6. Bård Kulseng
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Correspondence to Catia Martins.

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Martins, C., Strømmen, M., Stavne, O.A. et al. Bariatric Surgery versus Lifestyle Interventions for Morbid Obesity—Changes in Body Weight, Risk Factors and Comorbidities at 1 Year. OBES SURG 21, 841–849 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-010-0131-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-010-0131-1

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