Body Composition and Overweight of Liver Transplant Recipients

Background. Overweight is often used as a description after liver transplantation (LTx), but studies on body composition of patients submitted to LTx have only been devoted to early postoperative periods; there is little information regarding abdominal obesity after LTx. The aim of this study was to assess body composition, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference and verify the prevalence and risk factors for excessive weight, obesity, and abdominal obesity in long-term survivors of LTx. Methods. Post-LTx patients with at least 1 year post-LTx were assessed for their body composition (by bioimpedance), BMI, and waist circumference. Demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and clinical and dietetic variables were collected to assess risk factors using linear and logistic regression analyses. Results. We evaluated 143 patients (51 +/- 13 years; 59.4% male; median time since LTx: 4 years). The majority of patients had excessive weight, considering BMI, (58.1%). Considering body composition, 69.9% of patients were overweight and 37.8% obese. Some degree of abdominal obesity was seen in 88% of patients. Independent risk factors for overweight, obesity, and abdominal obesity after LTx included greater BMI before liver disease, weight gain since LTx, family history of overweight, smoking, working, being married, having less time since transplantation, a lower calcium intake, and less sleeping hours. Conclusions. The majority of patients are overweight or obese after LTx, and many of the associated risk factors are modifiable. Thus, patients, especially those who already have identified risk factors for overweight and obesity, undergoing LTx should be encouraged to engage in lifestyle changes early.