Influence of Adherence to Social Distancing Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Physical Activity Level in Post-bariatric Patients

Rezende, Diego A. N.; Pinto, Ana J.; Goessler, Karla F.; Nicoletti, Carolina F.; Sieczkowska, Sofia M.; Meireles, Kamila; Esteves, Gabriel P.; Genario, Rafael; Oliveira Júnior, Gersiel N.; Santo, Marco A.; de Cleva, Roberto; Roschel, Hamilton; Gualano, Bruno

We assessed physical activity using accelerometers and a questionnaire in 33 post-bariatric patients who reported to be adherent (n = 15) or not (n = 18) to social distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients adherent to social distancing spent more time in sedentary behavior (1.1 h/day, 0.1, 2.2; p = 0.045) and less time in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (− 12.2 min/day, − 23.8, − 0.6; p = 0.040) vs. non-adherent ones. Bland-Altman analysis comparing objective and subjective physical activity estimates showed a bias for time spent in sedentary behavior and moderate-to-vigorous activity of 2.8 h/day and 8.5 min/day. In conclusion, post-bariatric patients who were adherent to social distancing measures were more inactive and sedentary than non-adherent ones. Strategies to increase physical activity in post-bariatric patients exposed to social distancing are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.