Reported Nutrient Intake over 7 Years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 (LABS-3) Psychosocial Study

Abstract Background Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapy for severe obesity. It reduces gastric capacity and may modify regulation of appetite, satiety, insulin and other physiological processes, resulting in weight loss. Objective Long-term data on post-surgical nutrient intake are lacking. Setting The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 (LABS-3) Psychosocial Study. Methods Reported dietary intake was assessed in a subset of participants (n=72) of the LABS-3 Psychosocial Study who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Two 24-hr diet-recalls at pre-surgery and annual assessments over 7y were obtained. Reported diets were evaluated for energy, macro- and micro-nutrient intake and assessed for adequacy by comparison to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI). Results: Following surgery, reported intake of total energy, and all macronutrients were significantly reduced. At least a quarter of participants reported protein intake below the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Over half of participants reported intake of several vitamins (C, D, A, E, thiamin, folate) and minerals (zinc, calcium) below recommended levels over 7y. Compared to pre-surgery, reported energy intake was reduced over 7y. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02495142. Conclusions The reduction in energy resulted in intakes below the DRI for many micronutrients among the majority of participants and below the RDA for protein in a substantial subgroup. This data support continued long-term nutrition education, monitoring, and supplementation.