American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 50, 1328-1340, Copyright © 1989 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc

ORIGINAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS

Dietary outcome in obese patients treated with a gastroplasty program

T Andersen and U Larsen
Department of Internal Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Dietary intake was recorded on 7-d food registers by 18 patients for 2 y after horizontal gastroplasty (GP) for morbid obesity. The aim was to evaluate diet compliance and nutritional safety. In accordance with prescriptions, frequency of meals increased and amounts of food decreased. Contrary to intentions, qualitative improvements were minor and transient resulting in a lasting fractional increase of patients with inadequate intakes of a wide range of nutrients. Protein malnutrition could not be detected from measurements of serum-albumin, plasma-prealbumin, or plasma retinol-binding globulin. Calcium was not included in the vitamin-mineral supplement and serum-Ca decreased. Despite thorough instruction, close follow-up, and gastrosurgery, there were no major qualitative dietary improvements. The study showed that bad compliance with an intended qualitative improvement of diet adds to the risks of being on a severely energy-restricted GP diet and increases the necessity for broad long-term supplements.