Influência da obesidade na percepção da idade facial

Abstract

Background- Perception of facial age is a health biomarker. Bariatric surgery provides benefits to obese people. Knowledge is scarce about the role of obesity in facial age. Objectives- The aim of this study is to verify whether there is a change in the perception of facial age when comparing people with morbid obesity before surgery and one year after the procedure, along with normal weight controls. Methods- Through a prospective cohort, subjects with morbid obesity were reassessed after undergoing bariatric surgery. In a transversal study, these individuals were compared to people of normal weight. Seven plastic surgeons estimated the age of each subject based solely on their photographs. The difference in each age perceived was calculated. Results- Before surgery the mean facial age perception was 40.8 years and after was 43.7 years (p = 0.004). In the control group a mean difference of -1.03 years was observed, different from morbid obesity (p = 0.045) and after bariatric surgery (p = 0.001). Men over 40 years of age, with a preoperative body mass index between 40 kg and 49.9 kg/m2, weight greater than 127.65 kg before surgery, and the percentage loss of excess weight greater than 75.13%, demonstrated greater perceived facial aging. Conclusion- Bariatric surgery produces facial aging. Morbidly obese people and individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery appear to be older than people who have always been thin.