Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study tested the hypothesis that physical activity improves cardiovascular disease-related lipids beyond that associated with weight loss in adolescents with severe obesity after metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS). METHODS: Objective activity monitor data from 108 participants of the Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (Teen-LABS) study from baseline to 3 years post MBS were used. Primary outcomes included absolute change in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) from baseline. Baseline measurement, visit, surgical procedure, and percent change in iliac waist circumference or BMI from baseline in linear regression models were adjusted for use of generalized estimating equations. PROC TRAJ in SAS generated optimal activity trajectories based on individual step count. RESULTS: Despite low step counts and slow cadence, differences by activity trajectory were found. Greater absolute decreases in LDL-C and non-HDL-C (-15 mg/dL [95% CI: -28 to -2], P = 0.026; and -15 mg/dL [95% CI: -28 to -1], P = 0.035), respectively, were associated with more activity. More activity was associated with greater resolution of triglycerides, LDL-C, and non-HDL-C dyslipidemia and with greater weight loss 3 years post MBS. CONCLUSIONS: More activity in adolescents was associated with improvements in cardiovascular disease-related lipid measures and weight loss after MBS.