A recent study from Concordia University has revealed that individuals preparing for metabolic-bariatric surgery, despite varying eating habits, do not show significant differences in key measures of cardiometabolic health. This research may guide health professionals and patients in making lifestyle choices prior to surgery.
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The study identified two distinct dietary patterns among 64 participants, who had an average age of 48 and a body mass index of 45, indicating severe obesity. One group consumed higher levels of calories, fats, sugars, and micronutrients, while the other had much lower intakes of overall nutrients, especially fiber and vitamins.
Despite these differences, there were no significant variations in essential health markers such as blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, body fat, waist-to-height ratio, or C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker. The researchers indicate that both groups exhibited similar traits of a Western diet, characterized by high energy density and low fiber intake.
Simon Bacon, the study's corresponding author and a professor in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, explained that the higher-calorie group may have preferred foods like fatty beef, while the lower-nutrient group likely consumed fewer fruits and vegetables.
Participants tracked their dietary intake using a smartphone app, which utilized machine learning to analyze their food consumption patterns based on the Canadian Nutrient File, overseen by dietitians to ensure accuracy. The analysis accounted for various demographic factors and revealed that around 83% of participants had fiber intakes below recommended levels, and over 90% did not meet the average requirement for vitamin D. Additionally, sodium intake exceeded recommended levels for approximately 60% of women and 65% of men.
The study also indicated elevated metabolic risks in both groups, including higher-than-recommended blood sugar and C-reactive protein levels. The researchers note that their findings, while preliminary and part of a larger study expected to be published later, suggest a need for simplified dietary interventions rather than an emphasis on specific dietary habits before surgery.
This study was published in Obesity Surgery and underscores the importance of understanding broader dietary patterns rather than focusing solely on individual habits.