New research from NYU Langone Grossman School of Medicine highlights disparities in weight loss outcomes following bariatric surgery among different racial groups. The study, published in the journal Obesity, found that Black patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy between 2017 and 2020 lost less weight compared to White and Hispanic patients after one year.
Melanie R. Jay, MD, a professor at NYU Langone Health and senior author of the study, stated, “Our findings identified variations in bariatric surgery outcomes so that we can address them and, when appropriate, offer patients individualized support that can help promote the best possible outcomes.”
The study involved 297 participants who self-identified as non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, or non-Hispanic White. Participants were recruited from NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital and NYC Health + Hospital/Bellevue Hospital from June 2017 to March 2020. Researchers assessed various health metrics over two years through clinic visits and questionnaires.
Lead author Sally M. Vanegas, PhD, emphasized the need for further research to understand how socioeconomic factors influence surgical outcomes. “These varied associations highlight how different lived experiences and self-perceptions across racial and ethnic groups can influence surgical outcomes,” she said.
José O. Alemán, MD, PhD, co-senior author of the study and an endocrinologist at NYU Langone, mentioned ongoing analyses to explore biological factors affecting weight loss surgery results. He noted the importance of acknowledging these differences and adopting a holistic approach to care.
The study received institutional support from NYU Langone Health and funding from several sources including the J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Foundation and various grants from national institutes.
NYU Langone Health is recognized for its high-quality patient care across multiple locations in New York and Florida. It has been ranked highly by Vizient Inc. and U.S. News & World Report for its clinical specialties.
