Overvaluation of Weight or Shape and Loss-of-Control Eating Following Bariatric Surgery

Weight and shape overvaluation and its relation to anxiety, depression, and maladaptive eating symptoms for patients up to 4 years after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Weight and shape overvaluation (WSO; undue influence of weight and shape on self-evaluation) is common among individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. Little is known about how WSO relates to poorer outcomes for patients remote from surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To examine associations between WSO with anxiety and depression symptoms and various maladaptive eating behaviors in patients up to 4 years post-bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Henry Ford Health, United States.

METHODS

Patients who underwent surgery between 2018 and 2021 were invited to complete the study between 2021 and 2022. Participants (N = 765) completed anxiety and depression symptom and eating behavior measures.

RESULTS

Participants endorsed moderate WSO (M = 3.62, standard deviation = 1.87), which was positively related to anxiety (r = .37) and depression (r = .20) symptoms; eating in response to anger/frustration (r = .26), anxiety (r = .28), and depression (r = .31); and addictive eating behaviors (r = .26); and was significantly associated with the presence of loss-of-control (odds ratio [OR] = 1.39), binge (OR = 1.39), and graze (OR = 1.24) eating. WSO also was related to more frequent grazing (r = .23) but not loss-of-control or binge eating frequency for participants who endorsed behavior presence.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings underscore that links between WSO, psychiatric distress, and maladaptive eating behaviors persist up to 4 years after bariatric surgery. These domains should be assessed at bariatric follow-ups, and assessment of WSO may help providers identify patients at risk for poorer outcomes. Findings should be used to inform temporal modeling of how WSO may predispose patients to poorer bariatric outcomes.

Eating Disorders in the Context of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Current Status and Future Directions

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Eating disorders (EDs) are a relatively uncommon yet salient concern for patients undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). This report aims to advance understanding of the complex relationship between EDs and MBS by highlighting recent empirical evidence and identifying areas for future research.

RECENT FINDINGS

Little-to-no empirical evidence suggests that EDs be considered an absolute contraindication for MBS. However, a small subset of patients experience recurrent or emergent ED symptoms following surgery, invariably resulting in poorer postsurgical outcomes. Plausibly, a confluence of psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms explains post-MBS ED symptoms. Accurate identification of MBS-related ED concerns is essential, with growing evidence suggesting structured postsurgical treatment may be optimal. Despite recent advances, more research on EDs in the context of MBS is needed, including rigorous mechanistic studies with long-term follow-up that clarify how predisposing factors interact to precipitate postsurgical ED symptoms. More work is also required to inform design and dissemination of targeted ED interventions for patients pursuing MBS.

Gender and Racial Differences in the Overvaluation of Shape, Weight, Excess Skin, and Psychosocial Correlates Following Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Overvaluation of shape and weight (OSW) is a risk factor for psychopathology in those who have undergone bariatric surgery, and overvaluation of excess skin (OES) may present similar psychological risks. Identifying potential gender and racial differences in post-surgical OSW and OES, and their associations with psychosocial outcomes, may inform more individualized assessment and treatment for those who have undergone bariatric surgery.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, individuals up to 4 years post-bariatric surgery completed an online survey of various psychosocial outcomes. Overvaluation was examined via the shape and weight overvaluation subscale of the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and a modified item was used to assess the overvaluation of excess skin. Quality of life (QOL), depression, and anxiety symptoms were also examined. Gender and racial differences in OSW and OES were examined. Correlations were obtained between OSW/OES, QOL, and psychological symptoms among gender and racial groups.

RESULTS

Of 735 participants, women endorsed significantly greater OES than men (p = .008). There were no significant gender differences in OSW. White patients endorsed greater OSW than Black patients (p < .001), and there were no racial differences in OES. OSW and OES were inversely correlated with QOL among all groups. OSW and OES were positively associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms among both racial groups and women.

CONCLUSION

Women may be at greater risk for OES than men, while White patients may be at increased risk for OSW. However, OSW/OES related to poorer QOL in all groups, and greater psychological symptoms in women.

Exploring eye-movement changes as digital biomarkers and endophenotypes in subclinical eating disorders: an eye tracking study

OBJECTIVE

Previous research has indicated that patients with Anorexia Nervosa (AN) exhibit specific eye movement changes, identified through eye tracking sensor technology. These changes have been proposed as potential digital biomarkers and endophenotypes for early diagnosis and preventive clinical interventions. This study aims to explore whether these eye movement changes are also present in individuals with subclinical eating disorder (ED) symptomatology compared to control participants.

METHOD

The study recruited participants using convenience sampling and employed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire for initial screening. The sample was subsequently divided into two groups: individuals exhibiting subclinical ED symptomatology and control participants. Both groups performed various tasks, including a fixation task, prosaccade/antisaccade task, and memory-guided task. Alongside these tasks, anxiety and premorbid intelligence were measured as potential confounding variables. The data were analyzed through means comparison and exploratory Pearson's correlations.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between the two groups in the three eye tracking tasks.

DISCUSSION

The findings suggest that the observed changes in previous research might be more related to the clinical state of the illness rather than a putative trait. Implications for the applicability of eye movement changes as early biomarkers and endophenotypes for EDs in subclinical populations are discussed. Further research is needed to validate these findings and understand their implications for preventive diagnostics.

REGISTRATION

https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40337-022-00573-2.

Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome After Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) commonly co-occurs with obesity, medical comorbidities, and psychiatric symptoms. Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for co-occurring obesity and PCOS. While the incidence of PCOS declines substantially after bariatric surgery, the condition is still present for a subset of women. Examining characteristics and clinical outcomes of those with and without PCOS post-surgery may underscore potential risk factors or intervention targets.

METHODS

Individuals up to four years after bariatric surgery were invited to participate in this cross-sectional survey study, which included validated measures of depression, anxiety, eating disorder pathology, and quality of life. Post-surgical weight outcomes, medical comorbidities, and mental health treatment engagement were also assessed. Regression analyses were performed to examine differences in outcomes between those with and without a PCOS diagnosis after bariatric surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 657 female (sex assigned at birth) participants who underwent bariatric surgery, 7% (n = 46) reported having a current diagnosis of PCOS. All females identified as women. Women with PCOS were significantly younger (p < 0.001) and were more likely to endorse migraines (p < 0.007) and loss of control (LOC) eating episodes (< 0.001) since undergoing surgery. Additionally, 47.8% of women with PCOS endorsed clinically significant anxiety, compared to 25.7% of women without PCOS (p = 0.03). There were no differences in other demographic, psychiatric, or medical characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Despite the low prevalence of PCOS diagnoses in the four years after bariatric surgery, this subpopulation may be particularly susceptible to migraines, disinhibited eating behavior, and anxiety, although weight and cardiometabolic outcomes were comparable to those without a diagnosis of PCOS post-surgically.

Redefining diagnostic parameters: the role of overvaluation of shape and weight in binge-eating disorder: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Overvaluation of shape and weight is a critical component in understanding and diagnosing eating disorders. While the transdiagnostic model states that overvaluation of shape and weight is the core pathology of all eating disorders, this concept is not a criterion for binge-eating disorder. The lack of recognition of overvaluation of shape and weight may lead to overlooking, and consequently failure to address this construct during treatment. The aim of the present review is to examine whether overvaluation is a critical component in understanding and diagnosing binge-eating disorder and whether it should be addressed during treatment, and therefore be added as a criterion of binge-eating disorder.

METHODS

The present review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (registration number: CRD42024541433). PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed (Medline), and Google Scholar were used in order to systematically search and review literature by using a list of keywords related to overvaluation of shape and weight and binge-eating disorder. All N = 93 peer-reviewed studies were published in English from 1993 onwards.

RESULTS

Overvaluation of shape and weight was more severe among individuals with binge-eating disorder compared to individuals with solely a similar high BMI. In addition, levels of overvaluation in binge-eating disorder were comparable in severity with that of individuals of the other named eating disorder subtypes. Overvaluation was positively associated with other psychiatric symptoms, a risk factor for the onset of binge eating in adolescents and predicted poorer treatment outcomes. It was not clear whether overvaluation predicted dropout from Cognitive Behavior Therapy interventions.

DISCUSSION

It is suggested to consider including overvaluation of shape and weight as a criterion for the diagnosis of binge-eating disorder. Including overvaluation in the DSM and ICD may prevent overlooking this construct, and potentially enhance treatment outcomes. It is suggested that overvaluation of shape and weight is the core pathology of all eating disorders. However, this concept is not a criterion for a binge-eating disorder diagnosis. The lack of recognition of overvaluation of shape and weight may lead to overlooking, and consequently failure to address this construct during treatment. The aim of the present review is to examine whether overvaluation is a critical component in understanding and diagnosing binge-eating disorder and whether it should be addressed during treatment, and therefore be added as a criterion of binge-eating disorder. Consequently, a total of N = 93 peer-reviewed studies were examined. It was found that overvaluation of shape and weight was associated with the severity of eating disorder psychopathology, and was comparable in severity with that of individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. There is enough evidence to include overvaluation in the DSM and ICD as a criterion for binge-eating disorder. Consequently, this may prevent overlooking this construct, and potentially enhance treatment outcomes.

Disordered Eating Behaviors and Weight Regain in Post-Bariatric Patients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Weight regain has serious health consequences after bariatric surgery, and disordered eating behaviors (EBs) may be involved in it. We compared disordered EB symptoms in post-bariatric patients according to low vs. high ratio of weight regain (RWR) and investigated associations between disordered EB symptoms with weight regain and time since surgery.

METHOD

We recruited ninety-four patients who had undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. All of them had not attended follow-up with the multidisciplinary healthcare team (including psychological assessment) for at least one year. RWR was calculated with respect to maximal weight loss by the nadir weight achieved after surgery. Patients were divided into two groups: high RWR (≥20%) or low RWR (<20%). At their first visit, we had them complete the Eating Disorder Examination and Repetitive Eating Questionnaires (EDE-Q and Rep(eat)-Q).

RESULTS

Patients with high RWR reported higher EDE-Q global, dietary restraint and weight concerns without significant group differences in eating and shape concerns. Compared to those patients with low RWR, these patients also indicated greater Rep(eat)-Q global, compulsive grazing and repetitive eating. Global EDE-Q score, eating concern, shape concern, weight concern and all Rep(eat)-Q indexes were positively associated with higher RWR.

CONCLUSIONS

Disordered EBs occurred more frequently in the group with high RWR. In these patients, eating behavior symptoms and grazing behavior were both correlated to the RWR, suggesting a possible involvement of both conditions in weight regain.

Shape discrepancy, weight bias internalization, and eating-disorder psychopathology in patients with loss-of-control eating after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative loss-of-control (LOC) eating is associated with eating-disorder psychopathology, poorer weight loss, and mental health outcomes following bariatric surgery. The nature and significance of shape discrepancy has not been examined in patients with LOC eating following bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To examine shape discrepancy, WBI (weight bias internalization) and ED (eating-disorder) psychopathology in patients with LOC eating after bariatric surgery.

SETTING

Yale University School of Medicine, United States.

METHODS

Participants (N = 148, 84.5% female) seeking treatment for eating and weight concerns and with recurrent LOC eating approximately 6 months after bariatric surgery were assessed with the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version Interview and completed questionnaires measuring WBI and depression. Participants selected body shapes representing their current and ideal shapes, and a shape discrepancy score was calculated.

RESULTS

Most participants (N = 142/148) reported an ideal shape smaller than their current shape; shape discrepancy scores ranged from 0 to 5 (M = 1.89, SD = .82). Greater shape discrepancy was significantly correlated with greater current body mass index (BMI; r = .271, p=<.001) and percent weight loss (%WL) since surgery (r = -.19, p = .023). After adjusting for %WL, shape discrepancy was significantly correlated with greater WBI (r = .37, p < .001), depression (r = .27, p < .001), and ED psychopathology (r = .25, p = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly all participants preferred a significantly smaller shape than their current shape. Greater discrepancy between current and ideal shape was associated with higher levels of a range of behavioral (ED psychopathology), cognitive (WBI), and psychological/somatic (depression) concerns. These findings, which persisted after adjusting for %WL, highlight the importance of addressing body image in postoperative interventions.

Experiences of loss of control eating in women after bariatric surgery: A qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Loss of control (LOC) eating following bariatric surgery remains insufficiently understood, reflected in a lack of clear conceptualization, valid measurements, and effective treatments. This study explored patients' perspectives on LOC eating post-bariatric surgery, focusing on the relevance of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) indicators of impaired control, and patients' experiences before (precipitating factors), during (eating patterns, perpetuating factors), and after the episodes (strategies used to stop eating).

METHODS

This was a qualitative study using descriptive phenomenology. Participants were adults who have undergone gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy and self-reported recent LOC eating. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a combined inductive and deductive approach.

RESULTS

Participants were all women (N = 15; age: 34.5 ± 9.2 years). Results suggested that (1) except for feeling disgusted, guilty, or depressed after eating, other DSM-5 indicators did not seem to be highly relevant to this bariatric cohort; (2) LOC eating could occur across contexts, with food access, boredom, and food craving being consistent triggers; (3) the food amount consumed during a LOC episode was not necessarily considered excessive; (4) "mindlessness" and "satisfying hedonic, physiological, and mental needs" were the main perpetuating factors of LOC eating; and (5) self-talk and distracting attention were the most adopted strategies to stop eating.

DISCUSSION

Study findings have implications concerning the conceptualization, measurement, and intervention of LOC eating among bariatric patients. For example, results suggested the need for more data to determine the appropriate indicators of LOC eating and the inclusion of boredom as an intervention target in bariatric patients.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Loss of control (LOC) eating is characterized by a sense of being unable to stop while eating. LOC eating is prevalent in patients who have undergone weight loss surgery and is associated with worse surgical outcomes. This qualitative study that explored post-bariatric surgery patients' experiences of LOC eating will inform efforts to better assess and intervene in this disordered eating behavior, thus ultimately optimizing patients' health following weight loss surgery.

Long-term changes in body image after bariatric surgery: An observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

While body image improves in the first few months after surgery, data on long-term changes in body image after bariatric surgery are scarce and contradictory.

METHODS

We assessed body image through the Stunkard Figure Rating Scale and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire-Appearance Scale, which measures appearance evaluation and orientation, overweight preoccupation, and self-classified weight. Surveys were conducted before surgery and at regular intervals until 5 years after bariatric surgery.

RESULTS

61 patients were included in the study. No patients were lost to follow-up until 18 months after bariatric surgery. At 5 years, there were 21 patients (34%) lost to follow-up. We detected an overall improvement in body image until 12-18 months post-surgery. Scores declined after 5 years post-surgery but were still higher than preoperative evaluations. Overweight preoccupation did not change throughout the follow-up period. There was a positive correlation between body weight lost and appearance evaluation. There was also a positive correlation between weight loss and the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale. There was a negative correlation between weight loss and overweight preoccupation. Appearance orientation and self-classified weight were not correlated with weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Body image improved after bariatric surgery but was not maintained for all 5 years after surgery.

Predictive Role of Body Image in Bulimic Behaviors Among Obese Patients Qualified for Bariatric Surgery

Bulimic behavior and the associated experience of one's own body are of great importance in the course of surgical treatment for obesity. This study determined the predictive role of multidimensional body image on bulimic-type eating behaviors among individuals scheduled for the surgical treatment of obesity. This study was conducted in a clinical setting on a group of 100 obese patients who were treated at the Centre for the Surgical Treatment of Obesity at the University Hospital in Krakow (Poland) and were qualified for bariatric surgery. Body image was examined with Cash's Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and bulimic behavior with David M. Garner's Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26). Part A of the EAT-26 focused only on the bulimia and food preoccupation scale. Part B included sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) in the predictive model. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess psychological predictors of eating behavior. For binary variables, a logistic regression analysis was conducted for the whole group and for the women's group alone. Owing to the small sample size of men, regression analyses were not conducted. Higher values were observed in the Appearance Orientation dimension among women when compared to men. Appearance evaluation and age were found to be significant predictors for bulimic behaviors in the whole group. In regression models for behavior in the last 6 months, the predictors were found to be Health Evaluation and Appearance Orientation for laxative use, and Overweight Preoccupation for vomiting for weight control. Health-promoting behaviors in obesity treatment were conditioned as follows: for exercise, the predictors were sex and Fitness Orientation and for weight loss, they were Overweight Preoccupation and Body Areas Satisfaction. Our study shows that different bulimic behaviors are variously conditioned by body image dimensions, some of which are predictors of behaviors that are risk factors for obesity and poor outcomes of bariatric treatment, whereas others increase the chance of pro-health behaviors among obese individuals.

Body Image Concerns and Associated Impairment Among Adults Seeking Body Contouring Following Bariatric Surgery

BACKGROUND

The current study examined a range of body image concerns and associated distress and impairment in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and are seeking subsequent body contouring surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the hypotheses that individuals seeking body contouring endorse a broad pattern of body image concerns and that overall body image concern is associated with greater impairment and disability.

METHODS

The participants were 56 adults seeking body contouring surgery after bariatric surgery. All participants completed a self-report questionnaire designed for the present study to assess body image concerns specific to patients who have undergone bariatric surgery and a battery of established measures of disability, impairment, and eating-disorder psychopathology.

RESULTS

The most commonly endorsed concerns were related to loose skin (body dissatisfaction, feeling embarrassed in public, and skin rashes) whereas the least endorsed items included concerns related to scars from bariatric surgery (body dissatisfaction, avoidance of social situations, and difficulty concentrating). Participants endorsed a broad pattern of frequent distress and impairment related to physical body image changes post-bariatric surgery. Greater body image concerns were associated significantly with higher levels of disability, work-related impairment, and eating-disorder psychopathology.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients seeking body contouring surgery reported a range of body image concerns with significant associated distress, disability, and impairment related to physical changes post-bariatric surgery. The present findings underscore that although bariatric surgery is effective for reducing weight and metabolic disturbances, additional interventions for addressing body image concerns that are frequently distressing and impairing may be needed.

Examining Weight Bias and Loss-of-Control Eating among Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery

OBJECTIVE

Externalized weight bias (EWB), directed towards others, and internalized weight bias (IWB), directed towards the self, are thought to exacerbate obesity and disordered eating and may be important factors to assess and understand among individuals seeking bariatric surgery. This study examined clinical correlates (pre-surgical BMI, depressive symptoms, weight self-efficacy, and shape/weight overvaluation) of both EWB and IWB among individuals presenting for bariatric surgery with and without regular loss-of-control eating (LOC eating).

METHODS

A total of 316 adults presenting for bariatric surgery completed established self-report measures to assess EWB, IWB, depressive symptoms, weight self-efficacy, and core symptoms of disordered eating including LOC eating and overvaluation of shape/weight.

RESULTS

IWB and EWB were not associated with pre-surgical BMI, age, or sex, but were both significantly higher among White than non-White participants. Adjusting for race, IWB and EWB were significantly associated with greater eating disorder psychopathology and depressive symptoms and with less weight-related self-efficacy. Participants who endorsed regular LOC eating (53.5% of the sample) endorsed significantly lower weight self-efficacy and higher IWB, EWB, depressive symptoms, and overvaluation of shape/weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that regular LOC eating is common among individuals seeking bariatric surgery and associated with a range of heightened eating disorder and psychosocial concerns including both IWB and EWB. Future research exploring the longitudinal significance of the relationship between these two forms of weight bias and LOC eating is indicated.

Addiction Transfer and Other Behavioral Changes Following Bariatric Surgery

Despite its important treatment implications for obesity and related comorbidities, bariatric surgery requires several behavioral changes that warrant comprehensive evaluation and support before and after surgery. This article outlines emerging scientific and anecdotal evidence for addiction transfer after bariatric surgery. Other common behavioral changes that impact adherence, weight loss, and psychiatric risk after surgery are also reviewed. Last, recommendations for presurgical psychological evaluation and postoperative support are provided.

Disordered eating following bariatric surgery: a review of measurement and conceptual considerations

Eating disorders are associated with significant medical morbidity and mortality and serious psychological impairment. Individuals seeking bariatric surgery represent a high-risk group for evidencing disordered eating and eating disorders, with some patients experiencing the persistence or onset of disordered eating postsurgery. This review synthesizes the available literature on problematic or disordered eating in the bariatric field, followed by a review of measurement and conceptual considerations related to the use of eating disorder assessment tools within the bariatric population.

Attentional Bias to High-Calorie Food in Binge Eaters With High Shape/Weight Concern

Individuals with high shape/weight concern (SWC) place disproportionate emphasis on shape and weight in evaluating their self-worth, making them more vulnerable to body-related cues. Binge eaters (BE), who are obsessed with devouring high-calorie foods, would show severe symptomatology, especially when they have clinically high SWC. The present study attempted to elucidate how SWC influences binging based on attentional patterns toward high-calorie food cues. A total of 120 participants were selected and divided into four groups: (1) BE with high SWC, (2) BE with low SWC, (3) healthy controls (HC) with high SWC, and (4) HC with low SWC. BE and SWC status were respectively determined using the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (DSM-5) and the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. All participants completed the same free-viewing task, measuring initial fixation latency and total fixation duration. BE with high SWC showed attentional bias toward high-calorie food cues in terms of significantly faster initial fixation latency and longer total fixation duration, whereas BE with low SWC and the HC groups did not show any differences. The results revealed that SWC level makes unique contributions to BE's initial orienting bias toward and difficulty disengaging from high-calorie food cues. This may indicate that BE with high SWC merely worry about eating high-calorie food in a cognitive way, but not controlling actual binging behavior. The current study of attentional bias elucidated the role of SWC as a potential maintenance factor of being concerned and binging in BE.

Assessment of depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and eating psychopathology after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: 1-year follow-up and comparison with healthy controls

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to assess depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and eating psychopathology in bariatric surgery patients at the preoperative period (t0) and at the 6-month (t1) and 12-month (t2) follow-ups after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). A second aim was to investigate associations between these variables and weight loss.

METHOD

The study participants were 48 bariatric surgery candidates and 50 non-obese controls. Both groups underwent assessment with the Sociodemographic Data Form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), and Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale (RSES). These assessments were repeated for the patient group at t1 and t2.

RESULTS

The HDRS, RSES, and EDE-Q scores were higher in the patients before LSG (t0) than in the control group. A significant progressive improvement was identified in the patient HDRS and RSES scores as well as EDE-Q weight and shape subscale scores at t1 and t2. However, the patient EDE-Q total and dietary restraint scores improved at t1 then stabilized. The patient EDE-Q eating concern subscale improved at t1, but then worsened. The patient HDRS scores at t2 were similar to the control group, but the EDE-Q and RSES scores were still higher than the control scores at t2. Regression analyses revealed no association between the preoperative scores and percent changes in postoperative scores for any scale and patient weight loss at t2.

CONCLUSION

Depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and eating psychopathology showed an improving trend in patients after LSG. However, some aspects of eating psychopathology worsened despite an initial improvement.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III, prospective cohort and case-control study.

Pre-operative Restraint and Post-operative Hunger, Disinhibition and Emotional Eating Predict Weight Loss at 2 Years Post-laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

INTRODUCTION

A principal mechanism of action in bariatric surgery is reduction in calorie consumption due to decreased hunger and increased satiety. Patients' ability to perceive post-operative changes to their hunger is therefore central to optimal results. This study examined factors that may impact how patients perceive post-operative hunger and how perception of hunger impacts eating and subsequent weight loss after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB).

METHODS

Patients undertaking LAGB (n = 147) provided pre-surgery and 2-year weight loss data and pre-surgery and 12-month psychological data (perception of hunger, disinhibition related to eating, emotional eating).

RESULTS

Path analysis demonstrated that patients with lower levels of pre-surgery cognitive restraint over eating experienced significantly greater reduction in perception of hunger at 12 months post-surgery. Perceived reduction in hunger was significantly associated with lower levels of both emotional eating and disinhibited eating. Finally, reduced emotional eating at 12 months significantly predicted 9% of the variance in percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) at 2 years after surgery.

CONCLUSION

These initial findings suggest that preparation for bariatric surgery may be enhanced by psychoeducation regarding cognitive restraint over eating and its effect on hunger perception. In addition, psychological treatment that focuses on identifying and responding to changes in hunger may contribute to improved outcomes for those who have difficulty adjusting to post-operative eating behaviours.

Clinical Relevance of Overvaluation of Shape and Weight Among Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Overvaluation of shape and weight (OSW), or self-evaluation based primarily on body shape and weight, is associated with cognitive and behavioral aspects of eating disorders (including dietary restraint; concerns about eating, shape, and weight; and loss of control eating (LOC-eating), as well as psychological distress. We explored associations among OSW, depressive symptoms, and various forms of eating-related psychopathology, including whether frequency of LOC-eating mediates observed associations, among 88 bariatric surgery candidates. OSW was positively correlated with LOC-eating frequency, eating-related psychopathology, and depressive symptoms. There was a direct effect of OSW on depressive symptoms and eating-related psychopathology. LOC-eating frequency partially mediated the association between OSW and eating-related psychopathology. These findings demonstrate that OSW is important to assess as a marker of psychosocial distress.