Eating patterns and food choice as determinant of weight loss and improvement of metabolic profile after RYGB

•Dietary pattern appeared to be improved after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), with significantly decreased consumption frequency of the majority of unhealthy food.•Changes in healthy food were more variable after RYGB.•Metabolic status also improved 6 mo post-RYGB.•In contrast, iron status may have been compromised in extreme obese individuals undergoing RYGB surgery.

ObjectiveSignificant changes in the preference for different dietary components have been observed after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The aim of this study was to evaluate the early post-RYGB changes in quality of eating patterns and their relationship to weight loss and metabolic parameters.MethodsThe sample was composed of 41 extremely obese individuals undergoing RYGB. Dietary data were collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire in Brazil. A food intake evaluation was conducted with a focus on the frequency of consumption (≥4 times/wk) of markers for healthy eating and markers for unhealthy eating. Furthermore, anthropometric and metabolic markers were collected before surgery and 6 mo post-RYGB.ResultsCompared with baseline, the postsurgery body mass index was reduced by 12.9 kg/m2, corresponding to an excess weight loss of 63.5%. Blood glucose, insulin, ferritin, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG), and hemoglobin were reduced 6 mo after RYGB (P < 0.05). The consumption frequency of many foods defined as unhealthy decreased after surgery (e.g., from 15.4% to 5.1% for pizza and 18% to 0% for hamburger), and some healthy food increased (e.g., from 0% to 5.1% for fish and from 0% to 25.6% for plain yogurt). There was a decrease in the frequency of individuals who reported consuming fruit and vegetables. Conversely, insulin, glucose, and TG levels were positively associated with intake of chocolates/truffles and ice cream/sundaes.ConclusionParticipants in the present study appeared to develop a healthier dietary pattern by 6 mo after RYGB. These results show that a healthier dietary pattern is associated with a significant improvement of metabolic profile and weight loss.