Patients and their adult family members reported significant declines in alcohol consumption, from 5 to 0.2 drinks per month among patients and from 11 to 0.8 drinks per month among adult family members.
Patients, adult relatives, and children all showed significant gains in daily activity levels. Children also decreased the amount of time they spent watching TV or using a computer every day, although this reduction did not reach statistical significance.
Overall, the study findings indicate that “bariatric surgery provides an opportunity for intervention for many individuals beyond the patient,” Dr. Woodard and her associates said.