RESEARCH ARTICLE


Experiences of Physical Activity One Year after Bariatric Surgery



Malin Wiklund1, 2, *, Monika Fagevik Olbers1, 2, 3, Torsten Olbers3, Carin Willén2
1 Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
2 Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology/Physiotherapy, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
3 Department of Surgery, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden

Article Information


Identifiers and Pagination:

Year: 2014
Volume: 6
First Page: 25
Last Page: 30
Publisher Id: TOOBESJ-6-25
DOI: 10.2174/1876823701406010025

Article History:

Received Date: 21/03/2014
Revision Received Date: 12/06/2014
Acceptance Date: 14/06/2014
Electronic publication date: 8/8/2014
Collection year: 2014

© 2014 Wiklund et al.

open-access license: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Public License (CC-BY 4.0), a copy of which is available at: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Thearphy, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden; Tel: +46313429321; Fax: +46313424341; E-mail: malin.wiklund@vgregion.se


Abstract

Background and purpose:

Obesity is a major global health problem today and the only evidence-based method leading to a long-lasting weight reduction is bariatric surgery. Physical activity improves health, decreases the incidence of several diseases and may influence weight loss outcome after bariatric surgery. Knowledge regarding how patients experience physical activity after bariatric surgery could provide us with better tools to enhance physically active.

Methods:

The aim of the present study was to describe how patients experience physical activity one year after bariatric surgery. An inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyse semi-structured interviews with twenty-four patients one year after bariatric surgery.

Results:

Results: The main findings emerged in four overarching themes: “Hindrances of physical activity”, “Physical activity with a less obese body implies achievement”, “Coming to an understanding of the benefits of physical activity” and “Need of support”.

Conclusion:

According to our findings patients experience both achievements and hinders with regard to physical activity one year after surgery. Patients had an increased understanding of the benefits of physical activities, but support appears necessary to obtain and maintain a suitable level.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery, gastric by-pass surgery, interview, interview, obesity, physical activity, qualitative content analysis.