January 21, 2021: A recent study has revealed the detrimental effect that weight loss surgery has on bone health and how exercise might be helpful in addressing this issue.

The study which was published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research randomized 84 patients undergoing weight loss surgery to an exercise group or a control for 11 months. This exercise performed high impact, balance, and resistance exercise three times per week.

Twelve month after surgery, participants in the exercise group had higher bone mineral density measurements at the lumbar spine and the forearm compared with those in the control group. Also, participants who attended at least half of the exercise sessions had higher bone mineral density at the femoral neck than those in the control group.

“These findings showed that structured exercise program may be a valid treatment option to minimize weight loss surgery-induced bone less, which may be particularly important since many participants undergo surgery in early in early adulthood or even at paediatric ages,” said lead author Florencio Diniz-Souza, MSc, of the University of Porto, in Portugal.

“As stated in recently released World Organization physical activity guidelines, regular exercise should be a priority for everyone, including patients who have undergone weight loss surgery.”