Beliefs, Barriers and Facilitators to Physical Activity in Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Abstract

In bariatric surgery candidates, many of the perceived barriers and facilitators to PA are not obesity related and are therefore unlikely to change as a result of bariatric surgery. This may explain why earlier research shows little change in PA or SB following surgery. It is likely that an approach that aims to address the barriers and facilitators identified in this study is needed to change the inactive lifestyle adopted in this population.

Physical Activity, Decision-Making Abilities, and Eating Disturbances in Pre- and Postbariatric Surgery Patients

“…The followup assessment of our postoperative group was conducted relatively shortly after surgery. Maintained bodily pain and continued physical strain may have been barriers to the practice of PA [58,59]. Concerns about appearance and, in the postoperative group, emerging excess skin may have contributed to physical inactivity [59].…”

“…Maintained bodily pain and continued physical strain may have been barriers to the practice of PA [58,59]. Concerns about appearance and, in the postoperative group, emerging excess skin may have contributed to physical inactivity [59]. Possible nonobesity-related barriers include low self-efficacy, negative weight bias internalization [60], or low motivation to reduce a sedentary lifestyle [59].…”

“…Concerns about appearance and, in the postoperative group, emerging excess skin may have contributed to physical inactivity [59]. Possible nonobesity-related barriers include low self-efficacy, negative weight bias internalization [60], or low motivation to reduce a sedentary lifestyle [59]. In the postoperative group, positive weight-related effects that can arise as early as few months after surgery [61][62][63] might have lessened the motivation to behavioral changes in some patients.…”

Greater Adherence to Recommended Morning Physical Activity is Associated With Greater Total Intervention-Related Physical Activity Changes in Bariatric Surgery Patients

“…2–5 Further, morning exercise may help to counter perceived lack of time, a frequently reported barrier to PA participation in BS patients and one which is unlikely to be affected by weight loss and other surgical outcomes. 7,8 …”

“…Additionally, participants were encouraged to identify a consistent time each day during morning hours for longer walking bouts, so as to overcome time-related obstacles to habitual physical activity (PA) adoption, use time as a cue for initiating PA behavior, and establish a PA habit through routine/repetition. 8 Additionally, shorter walking bouts ≥ 10 minutes were encouraged whenever possible throughout the remainder of the day. See Bond et at 11 for a more detailed description of weekly intervention content/strategies.…”