Evaluation of Dietary Quality (Healthy Eating Index-2015), Nutrient Intake and Anthropometric Measurements in Post-Bariatric Patients

Abstract

Objective: To systematically evaluate overall dietary quality and nutrient adequacy in post-bariatric surgery patients using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) and comparing daily intakes with Dietary Reference Values (DRVs).Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 50 individuals who had undergone bariatric surgery, comprising 8 males and 42 females. The study included the measurement of current anthropometric data and the assessment of daily nutritional intake, determined through 3-day, 24-hour dietary recalls processed using BeBiS software. To assess dietary quality, the HEI-2015 scores were calculated, and the percentage of each nutrient intake meeting the DRVs was determined.Results: Despite significant anthropometric improvements, including a decrease in mean BMI from 41.8 ± 6.1 to 27.7 ± 4.5 kg/m², the mean HEI-2015 score was 55.6 ± 10.0, and 100% of the study population was classified as having a “poor” or “needs improvement” dietary status. Energy and protein intakes reached 28.7% and 43.4% of the recommended daily intake (DRV), respectively. The intake of critical micronutrients was extremely low particularly regarding the percentages of DRVs met for iron (32%), folate (30%), and calcium (23.6%). Macronutrient distribution revealed a high-fat preference (51.6% energy) and severe carbohydrate restriction (38.6 ± 18.3 g/day), inconsistent with recommended thresholds.Conclusion: These findings suggest that post-bariatric anthropometric improvement doesn’t consistently correspond with adequate dietary quality within this limited cohort. The integration of dietary quality monitoring with routine anthropometric assessment could enhance the care of post-bariatric patients.