Nutritional Inadequacies Among Post-bariatric Patients During COVID-19 Quarantine in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Post bariatric control of food intake is influenced by psychological and behavioral factors. We investigated dietary habits and food intake during COVID-19 quarantine among recently operated patients. Patients were assessed for total and per meal energy and macronutrient intake as well as frequency of food consumption per processing level. Patients were also classified according to adherence to nutritional recommendations from our outpatient clinic. Main results are indicative of inappropriate nutritional intake during COVID-19 quarantine in postoperative bariatric patients. We observed that many patients failed to meet the recommended protein intake (89.2%) along a relatively high intake of ultra-processed foods (~1/4 of the diet). Our data suggest the need for the implementation of strategies to extend nutritional care to at-risk patients during social distancing.