Place Work on a Scale: What Do We Know About the Association Between Employment Status and Weight Loss Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery?

Obes Surg. 2021 Aug;31(8):3822-3832. doi: 10.1007/s11695-021-05388-9. Epub 2021 May 21.

Abstract

Despite the initial successful weight loss after bariatric surgery, a significant amount of patients experience weight loss failure and weight regain. Several factors are known to contribute to this, though the impact of employment status is unknown. The objective of this systematic review was to examine the impact of employment status on post-surgical weight loss outcomes. Eight studies were included with a follow-up ranging between 2 and 10 years. Employed patients seemed to present more weight loss (9.0-11.0% EWL, 1.3-1.6% BMI loss) compared to unemployed patients, but none of these numbers were statistically significant. Moreover, there were contrasting findings in terms of weight regain. This review may highlight the importance of working status after bariatric surgery and warrants further investigation on this topic.

Keywords: Bariatric surgery; Employment status; Metabolic surgery; Occupational status.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Bariatric Surgery*
  • Employment
  • Humans
  • Obesity, Morbid* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Unemployment
  • Weight Loss