A256 The Influence of Health Literacy and Health Numeracy on Weight Loss Outcomes Following Bariatric Surgery

Abstract Background Although cognitive functioning and health literacy are related to weight loss 1-year following bariatric surgery, the influence of health numeracy (i.e., health-related mathematical abilities) is unknown. In addition, further research is needed to examine the impact of all these factors on longer-term weight loss outcomes to determine if they influence the ability to maintain weight loss. Setting Single bariatric center. Methods Patients (N= 567) who underwent bariatric surgery from 2014-2017 completed a brief survey including current weight. Retrospective chart reviews were conducted to gather information from the pre-surgical evaluation including weight, body mass index (BMI), health literacy, health numeracy, and score on a cognitive screener. Results Among participants in the weight loss period ( Discussion Although health literacy and health numeracy did not predict weight loss outcomes for those in the initial weight loss period, they were related to weight outcomes for participants in the weight maintenance period. This suggests that health literacy and health numeracy may play a role in facilitating longer-term weight maintenance among patients who undergo bariatric surgery. Clinicians conducting pre-surgical psychosocial evaluations should consider routinely screening for health literacy and health numeracy.