Associations between marital status and weight loss trajectories entering into early adulthood: a Teen-LABS study

Background: Among adolescents who underwent metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), it is unclear how relationships and specifically marital status (MS) may be associated with long-term weight loss. Objective: In this analysis, we tested for associations between the MS of adolescents who underwent MBS and the MS of their primary caregiver and weight loss trajectory over 8 years. Setting: Teen-LABS participating sites. Methods: This sample included 231 participants (75.3% female, 71.4% White, 68.0% Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 27.7% vertical sleeve gastrectomy, 4.3% laparoscopic adjustable gastric band). A linear mixed model was conducted with the dependent variable percent body mass index (BMI) change from preoperatively through 8 years with between-participant factors (1) participant MS, (2) caregiver MS, and (3) interaction between caregiver and participant MS. Results: One third of participants and 87% of caregivers were ever married (EM). Compared with never-married (NM) participants and caregivers (-14.6%), EM participants and caregivers (-20.6%), EM participants and NM caregivers (-25.9%), and NM participants and EM caregivers (-19.8%), each had significantly greater BMI loss at 8 years (each P , .05). No other group comparisons achieved statistical significance. Conclusions: NM participants with NM caregivers had less favorable long-term BMI. Additional research is needed to better understand how relationships affect behavior change and weight loss after MBS. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2024;20:376-382.) Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.