Measurement of disordered eating in bariatric surgery candidates: a systematic review of the literature

COVID-19-Related Increases in Depressive and Anxious Symptoms Are Associated with Maladaptive Eating Among Patients up to 4 years Post-bariatric Surgery

INTRODUCTION

Depressive and anxious symptoms and maladaptive eating behaviors fluctuate with stressful events for patients seeking bariatric surgery. These associations are less clear for patients postoperatively. Using the COVID-19 pandemic as a frame, we examined associations between changes in depressive and anxious symptoms and maladaptive eating behaviors between up to four years postoperatively.

METHODS

Participants (N = 703) who underwent surgery between 2018 and 2021 completed web-based questionnaires between 2021 and 2022. Demographic and surgical data were obtained from electronic health records. Participants reported whether depressive and anxious symptoms increased or were stable/decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and completed eating behavior measures.

RESULTS

Many participants reported increased depressive (27.5%) and anxious (33.7%) symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared to those who reported stable or decreased symptoms, these participants were as follows: (1) more likely to endorse presence of binge, loss-of-control, graze, and night eating; (2) reported higher emotional eating in response to anger and frustration, depression, and anxiety; and (3) reported higher driven and compulsive eating behaviors. Frequency of binge, loss-of-control, graze, and night eating episodes did not differ between groups (e.g., increased vs. stable/decreased anxious symptoms) among participants who endorsed any episodes.

CONCLUSION

A large portion of the sample reported increased depressive and anxious symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, and these increases were associated with maladaptive eating behaviors. Depressive and anxious symptoms and eating behaviors should be assessed postoperatively as significant stressors may be associated with increased distress and maladaptive eating behaviors that can affect postoperative outcomes. Postoperative interventions may be useful at simultaneously targeting these concerns.

Does controlling for epicurean eating or the tendency to supersize food portions change the relationship between mindful eating and grazing?

The study examines the potential for Epicurean eating to offer fresh perspectives on the predictive value of mindful eating. This research seeks to ascertain whether accounting for Epicurean eating (or its antithesis, supersizing), could influence the previously identified negative relationship between mindful eating and grazing habits. In a cross-sectional study, 419 participants completed questionnaires on epicurean eating, grazing, and mindful eating. The findings suggested mindful eating and epicurean eating were significantly associated with grazing, with both variables accounting for a significant amount of variance in grazing. Further analysis of the mindful eating subscales showed that eating without distraction, eating with awareness, and hunger and satiety cues accounted for this association with grazing when epicurean eating was included. Finally, whilst eating without distraction, eating with awareness, and hunger and satiety cues were associated with grazing, preference for supersizing did not account for a significant amount of variance in the relationship with grazing. The complex interplay between grazing and mindful eating becomes more apparent when considering the influence of epicurean eating. Exploring cross-cultural factors through additional research could provide valuable insights into the dynamics of epicurean eating and grazing. Simultaneously, incorporating alternative mindful eating scales may yield a more nuanced interpretation of mindful eating. Collectively, these avenues of inquiry warrant further investigation. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

New understandings meet old treatments: putting a contemporary face on established protocols

In the twenty years since the publication of the most widely used treatment manuals describing evidence-based therapies for eating disorders, there have been some substantial advances in the field. New methods of delivering treatments have been trialled and our perception of mental health has advanced; significant cultural changes have led to shifts in our societal landscape; and new technologies have allowed for more in-depth research to be conducted. As a result, our understanding of eating disorders and their treatment has broadened considerably. However, these new insights have not necessarily been translated into improved clinical practice. This paper highlights the changes we consider to have had the greatest impact on our work as experienced clinical psychologists in the field and suggests a list of new learnings that might be incorporated into clinical practice and research design.

Exploring the association between self-compassion, mindfulness and mindful eating with eating behaviours amongst patients with obesity

Background: People who have obesity often experience problematic eating behaviours, contributing towards their excessive weight gain. Aims: Understanding problematic eating behaviours and their association to self-compassion, mindfulness and mindful eating is important for the development of future interventions that improve weight-loss and weight-regulation. Methods: One hundred and one participants attending their first session of a 6-session dietetic programme within a Tier 3 medical weight management service in the West Midlands, UK were recruited to complete questionnaires on self-compassion, mindfulness, mindful eating and eating behaviours, such as, emotional, restrained, external, fat and sugar consumption and grazing. Results: The findings suggested all three constructs, self-compassion, mindfulness and mindful eating were significantly and negatively associated with grazing and emotional eating, but mindful eating was the only construct that also displayed a significant and negative association with other eating behaviours that are often barriers to successful weight regulation, such as external eating and fat consumption. Further investigation suggested mindful eating had an indirect effect on fat consumption and grazing via external eating. Conclusion: Whilst, self-compassion, mindfulness and mindful eating displayed a negative relationship with grazing and emotional eating, mindful eating also displayed a negative relationship with fat consumption and external eating. Possible explanations and directions for future work are discussed with an emphasis on the need for more empirical work.

Psychosocial predictors of problematic eating in young adults who underwent adolescent bariatric surgery

Introduction

This study examined problematic eating and eating-related psychopathology among young adults who underwent adolescent bariatric surgery including concurrent and prospective associations with psychosocial factors and weight change.

Methods

VIEW point is a 6-year follow-up study within a prospective observational study series observing adolescents with severe obesity who had bariatric surgery (n = 139) or who presented to nonsurgical lifestyle modification programs (n = 83). Participants completed height/weight measurements, questionnaires, and diagnostic interviews. Regression analyses compared problematic eating across groups and examined Year 6 correlates (i.e., psychosocial factors and weight change) and baseline predictors (i.e., psychosocial factors) of eating-related psychopathology.

Results

Compared to the nonsurgical group, the surgical group reported lower eating-related psychopathology, objective binge eating, and grazing at Year 6. While chewing/spitting out and vomiting for weight/shape-related reasons were very infrequent for the surgical group, self-induced vomiting for other reasons (e.g., avoid plugging) was more common. For the surgical group, lower self-worth, greater internalizing symptoms, and higher weight-related teasing in adolescence predicted increased eating-related psychopathology in young adulthood. Year 6 eating-related psychopathology was concurrently associated with lower percent weight loss for the surgical group and greater percent weight gain for the nonsurgical group.

Conclusion

Undergoing adolescent bariatric surgery appears to afford benefit for problematic eating and eating-related psychopathology. Current findings suggest that the clinical intervention related to problematic eating and associated psychosocial concerns may be needed for young adults with obesity, regardless of surgical status.

Management of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guideline

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of eating disorders is high in people with higher weight. However, despite this, eating disorders experienced by people with higher weight have been consistently under-recognised and under-treated, and there is little to guide clinicians in the management of eating disorders in this population.

AIM

The aim of this guideline is to synthesise the current best practice approaches to the management of eating disorders in people with higher weight and make evidence-based clinical practice recommendations.

METHODS

The National Eating Disorders Collaboration Steering Committee auspiced a Development Group for a Clinical Practice Guideline for the treatment of eating disorders for people with higher weight. The Development Group followed the 'Guidelines for Guidelines' process outlined by the National Health and Medical Research Council and aim to meet their Standards to be: 1. relevant and useful for decision making; 2. transparent; 3. overseen by a guideline development group; 4. identifying and managing conflicts of interest; 5. focused on health and related outcomes; 6. evidence informed; 7. making actionable recommendations; 8. up-to-date; and, 9. accessible. The development group included people with clinical and/or academic expertise and/or lived experience. The guideline has undergone extensive peer review and consultation over an 18-month period involving reviews by key stakeholders, including experts and organisations with clinical academic and/or lived experience.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Twenty-one clinical recommendations are made and graded according to the National Health and Medical Research Council evidence levels. Strong recommendations were supported for psychological treatment as a first-line treatment approach adults (with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder), adolescents and children. Clinical considerations such as weight stigma, interprofessional collaborative practice and cultural considerations are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

This guideline will fill an important gap in the need to better understand and care for people experiencing eating disorders who also have higher weight. This guideline acknowledges deficits in knowledge and consequently the reliance on consensus and lower levels of evidence for many recommendations, and the need for research particularly evaluating weight-neutral and other more recent approaches in this field.

Binge eating disorder and eating self-efficacy in adults seeking bariatric surgery

This study assessed the relationships between binge eating disorder (BED) and eating self-efficacy in a sample of patients prior to bariatric surgery. The study also examined the extent that BED status accounted for variance in self-efficacy after controlling for demographic factors (age, sex and race), physical variables (comorbidities and body mass index [BMI]) and depressive symptoms. This was a cross-sectional study of pre-surgical data from patients seeking bariatric surgery at a university-based healthcare system (N = 98; mean ± SD age of 46.2 ± 12.5 years; BMI of 45.4 ± 7.2 kg/m² ; 86.7% female; and 60.2% of patients self-identified as White). Patients completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (WALI), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and Weight Efficacy Lifestyle Questionnaire. Of the total sample, 15.3% met criteria for BED, 33.7% had subthreshold BED and 51.0% were free of this disorder. In adjusted analyses, total self-efficacy was significantly lower in patients with subthreshold BED (B ± SE = -15.88 ± 7.23, p = .03) and individuals with BED (B ± SE = -35.07 ± 10.23, p = .001) than in those without BED. Patients with BED, compared to those without, had significantly worse scores (in adjusted analyses) on the self-efficacy subscales of negative emotions (p = .003), availability of food (p < .001), social pressure (p = .004) and positive activities (p = .03). In patients seeking bariatric surgery, total self-efficacy scores were significantly lower in patients with BED and subthreshold BED than those without BED. The results suggest that eating self-efficacy may be an important factor to target in patients with BED who seek bariatric surgery.

Psychometric properties of the 26-item eating attitudes test (EAT-26): an application of rasch analysis

BACKGROUND

The 26-item Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) is a commonly used tool to assess eating disorder risk. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the EAT-26 with a combined sample: (1) of adults with overweight and obesity enrolled in a behavioral weight loss program and (2) general adult sample (n = 469; age = 36.17 ± 17.83 years; female = 72.5%; white = 66.3%; obese BMI category = 58%).

METHODS

Rasch modeling was used to assess model-data fit, create an item-person map to evaluate relative distribution items and persons, item difficulty, and person's eating disorder (ED) risk level of the EAT-26. Differential item functioning (DIF) and rating scale functioning of the EAT-26 were also evaluated using Rasch analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 7 misfit items were removed from the final analysis due to unacceptable Infit and Outfit mean square residual values. The item-person map showed that the items were biased toward participants with moderate to high levels of ED risk and did not cover those who had low risk for having an ED (< - 1 logits). The DIF analyses results showed that none of the items functioned differently across sex, but 5 items were flagged based on obesity status. The six-category Likert-type rating scale did not function well indicating a different response format may be needed.

CONCLUSION

Several concerns were identified with the psychometric evaluation of the EAT-26 that may question its utility in assessing ED risk in individuals at low risk for ED, within samples of people who have overweight and obesity seeking weight loss treatment. The 26-item Eating Attitudes Test is a self-rated measure of eating attitudes that measures symptoms and concerns of eating disorders (ED). Very little is known about how this instrument performs differently based on individual factors like body mass index (BMI) and sex (male/female). We used an advanced measurement theory (i.e., Rasch analysis) to determine if the EAT-26 is an adequate measure to detect disordered eating in men and women of different BMIs. Results indicated that the EAT-26 was biased toward participants with moderate to high levels of disordered eating risk and did not adequately detect individuals at low risk for disordered eating. The EAT-26 did not function differently based on sex (male/female). However, five questions did function differently based on obesity status (those without obesity/ those with obesity). Finally, we observed the six-category rating scale did not function appropriately and that a new response format may be warranted. In sum, there were several issues (e.g., poor rating scale and different item functioning) with the EAT-26 and future work should develop screening tools that detect low risk of disordered eating as well as function well in adults with overweight and obesity.

Binge eating disorder

Binge eating disorder (BED) is characterized by regular binge eating episodes during which individuals ingest comparably large amounts of food and experience loss of control over their eating behaviour. The worldwide prevalence of BED for the years 2018-2020 is estimated to be 0.6-1.8% in adult women and 0.3-0.7% in adult men. BED is commonly associated with obesity and with somatic and mental health comorbidities. People with BED experience considerable burden and impairments in quality of life, and, at the same time, BED often goes undetected and untreated. The aetiology of BED is complex, including genetic and environmental factors as well as neuroendocrinological and neurobiological contributions. Neurobiological findings highlight impairments in reward processing, inhibitory control and emotion regulation in people with BED, and these neurobiological domains are targets for emerging treatment approaches. Psychotherapy is the first-line treatment for BED. Recognition and research on BED has increased since its inclusion into DSM-5; however, continuing efforts are needed to understand underlying mechanisms of BED and to improve prevention and treatment outcomes for this disorder. These efforts should also include screening, identification and implementation of evidence-based interventions in routine clinical practice settings such as primary care and mental health outpatient clinics.

Nutritional Assessment and Preparation for Adult Bariatric Surgery Candidates: Clinical Practice

Bariatric surgery (BS) has proven to be highly efficacious in the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. However, careful patient selection is critical for its success. Thus, patients should undergo medical, behavioral, and nutritional assessment by a multidisciplinary team. From the nutritional point of view, BS candidates should undergo nutritional assessment, preparation, and education by a registered dietitian in the preoperative period. Currently, detailed specified and comprehensive information on these topics is lacking. The present narrative review aimed to summarize the available literature concerning both the preoperative nutritional assessment components and the preoperative nutritional preparation and education components of patients planning to undergo BS. Current literature indicates that proper management before BS should include a comprehensive nutritional assessment, in which it is advisable to perform a clinical interview to assess patients' medical background, weight management history, eating patterns and pathologies, oral health, physical activity habits, nutritional status, supplementation usage, BS knowledge, surgery expectations and anthropometric measurements. Nutritional preparation and educational strategies should include an individualized preoperative weight-loss nutrition program, improvement of glycemic control, micronutrients deficiencies correction, eating and lifestyle habits adaptation, physical activity initiation, and strengthening knowledge on obesity and BS. At this stage, more well-designed intervention and long-term cohort studies are needed in order to formulate uniform evidence-based nutritional guidelines for patients who plan to undergo BS, including populations at higher nutritional risk. Moreover, postoperative outcomes of presurgical nutritional intervention programs should be studied.

Executive Functioning in Extreme Obesity: Contributions from Metabolic Status, Medical Comorbidities, and Psychiatric Factors

PURPOSE

Extreme obesity has been associated with cognitive deficits across the lifespan and may be a risk factor for dementia in later life. However, the relationship between obesity and domain-specific cognitive deficits is complicated by a body of literature that often fails to adequately account for medical and psychiatric conditions frequently co-occurring with extreme obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study included a cross-sectional evaluation of adults with extreme obesity (n=117) compared to lean control (n=46) participants on a brief cognitive battery using the NIH Toolbox and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test. Specifically, this study evaluated measures of executive functioning, attention, processing speed, learning, and memory while accounting for many common obesity-related medical and psychiatric comorbidities with known cognitive effects.

RESULTS

Results revealed group differences with lower performances on measures of executive functioning, processing speed, and learning (ps<0.01) for participants with obesity. Reduced executive functioning was associated with abdominal obesity and medication use (ps<0.01) and together contributed significantly to overall modeling of cognition in individuals with obesity.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with extreme obesity in this sample showed lower cognitive performance on measures of executive functioning, processing speed, and learning compared to lean controls. Abdominal obesity was associated with executive functioning deficits independent of many common medical and psychiatric factors.

Psychosocial interventions to reduce eating pathology in bariatric surgery patients: a systematic review

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity; however, a subset of patients experience suboptimal outcomes. Psychosocial interventions that address eating pathology may ameliorate negative consequences, although their efficacy has not been examined. Thus, a systematic review to evaluate the impact of psychosocial randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on eating pathology in adults pre and post-bariatric surgery was conducted. Six scientific databases were searched for psychosocial trials assessing eating pathology as an outcome. Ten RCTs representing seven distinct interventions were identified (i.e., four preoperative and six postoperative). Trials utilized cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, acceptance-based treatment, motivational interviewing, and psychoeducational interventions. Findings provide initial support for reducing eating pathology pre and postoperatively in the short-term (i.e., 6 months); however, the small number of RCTs and heterogeneity among postoperative trials made it difficult to draw conclusions. Additional longitudinal studies are needed to determine the long-term impact of psychosocial interventions that address eating pathology in bariatric surgery patients endorsing significant eating pathology.

A Group Intervention for Individuals With Obesity and Comorbid Binge Eating Disorder: Results From a Feasibility Study

PURPOSE

A common challenge among a subgroup of individuals with obesity is binge eating, that exists on a continuum from mild binge eating episodes to severe binge eating disorder (BED). BED is common among bariatric patients and the prevalence of disordered eating and ED in bariatric surgery populations is well known. Conventional treatments and assessment of obesity seldom address the underlying psychological mechanisms of binge eating and subsequent obesity. This study, titled PnP (People need People) is a psychoeducational group pilot intervention for individuals with BED and obesity including patients with previous bariatric surgery. Design, feasibility, and a broad description of the study population is reported.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 42 patients were from an obesity clinic referred to assessment and treatment with PnP in a psychoeducational group setting (3-hour weekly meetings for 10 weeks). Of these, 6 (14.3%) patients had a previous history of bariatric surgery. Feasibility was assessed by tracking attendance, potentially adverse effects and outcome measures including body mass index (BMI), eating disorder pathology, overvaluation of shape and weight, impairment, self-reported childhood difficulties, alexithymia, internalized shame as well as health related quality of life (HRQoL).

RESULTS

All 42 patients completed the intervention, with no adverse effects and a high attendance rate with a median attendance of 10 sessions, 95% CI (8.9,9.6) and 0% attrition. Extent of psychosocial impairment due to eating disorder pathology, body dissatisfaction and severity of ED symptoms were high among the patients at baseline. Additionally, self-reported childhood difficulties, alexithymia, and internalized shame were high among the patients and indicate a need to address underlying psychological mechanisms in individuals with BED and comorbid obesity. Improvement of HRQoL and reduction of binge eating between baseline and the end of the intervention was observed with a medium effect.

CONCLUSION

This feasibility study supports PnP as a potential group psychoeducational intervention for patients living with BED and comorbid obesity. Assessments of BED and delivery of this intervention may optimize selection of candidates and bariatric outcomes. These preliminary results warrant further investigation via a randomized control trial (RCT) to examine the efficacy and effectiveness of PnP.

Preoperative Binge Eating and Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Several studies have investigated if bariatric surgery candidates with binge eating disorder (BED) are at risk for suboptimal postoperative weight loss. The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between binge eating diagnosed preoperatively and weight loss after bariatric surgery.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, LILACS, and other specialized databases were searched on August 2020. Clinical trials and observational studies including individuals who had undergone any type of bariatric surgical treatment with preoperative evaluation of BED and at least one postoperative measure of weight were initially selected. Four reviewers independently screened for eligibility. The mean difference was calculated using the random-effects model.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies, comprising 3223 participants (80.25% women; median age 41 years), met the inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. At 6 months postoperative, the percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) was not significantly different between BED and non-BED groups [6 studies, 914 participants: - 0.75% (95% CI, - 2.79 to 1.29; I² = 0%)], even when analyzing only those three studies that included gold standard assessment tools. No significant differences were found at 12, 24, 36, or 60 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Pre-bariatric BED seems to have little or no influence on weight loss after surgery. However, many questions remain unanswered because of the use of different measures across studies. The heterogeneity among studies emphasizes the importance of investigators using the same assessment measures.

Disordered eating and weight loss after bariatric surgery

PURPOSES

Aberrant eating patterns are frequently observed in bariatric patients. Since bariatric operations produce alterations in food transit and in appetite/satiety balance, postoperative eating behavior changes are not surprising.

METHODS

88 consecutive obese patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP, 50 cases) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG, 38 cases) were retrospectively evaluated. Beside anthropometric data measurement, eating behavior was assessed by direct interview prior to the operation and at the first and second postoperative years: patients were considered as eating disordered (ED) when referred habitual occurrence of binge eating and nibbling/grazing. Weight loss was assessed by percent of BMI loss (% Δ BMI). Together with standard follow-up, patients received additional behavioral/dietetic support upon request.

RESULTS

Postoperative ED patients showed lower % Δ BMI than the not ED ones at one (30.7% ± 8,5 vs. 26.8% ± 10, p < 0.02) and two (32% ± 10.3 vs. 27.4% ± 12.9, p < 0.05) years after operation, the follow-up rate being 82% and 76%, respectively, without differences between RYGBP and SG group. After RYGBP, an improvement of eating behavior was observed (ED patients from 75 to 28% at 1 year and to 27% at 2 years), while no changes were observed after SG. In SG patients, the number of additional behavioral/dietetic support sessions throughout the follow-up was positively associated with % Δ BMI.

DISCUSSION

The postoperative normalization of eating pattern has a role in weight loss after bariatric surgery. Behavioral/dietetic support is indicated in all SG patient, while after RYGBP is useful only when weight loss is unsatisfactory.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III: retrospective cohort study.

Interrater reliability of the Eating Disorder Examination among postbariatric patients

BACKGROUND

Clinical assessment of eating behaviors with patients who undergo bariatric surgery is challenging because of the complexity of symptom presentation postoperatively. The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) is a widely-used semistructured clinical interview of eating-disorder psychopathology, yet no studies have examined the interrater reliability among postoperative bariatric surgery patients.

OBJECTIVES

The present study aimed to examine the interrater reliability of the EDE, and an alternative classification of size-specific thresholds of binge-eating episodes in a postoperative bariatric surgery sample.

SETTING

University School of Medicine, United States.

METHODS

Participants interviewed were a randomly selected subset (n = 20) from a consecutive series of adults seeking treatment for eating concerns after bariatric surgery. Audio-taped interviews were rated independently by 1 of 4 expert raters. Interrater reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and kappa statistic.

RESULTS

ICCs for the original 4 EDE subscales were excellent, ranging from .88 to .98. ICCs for the alternative brief 3 subscales were also excellent, with a range of .78 to .97. ICCs for bariatric loss-of-control eating episodes were in the good to excellent range, with a range of .66 to .99. Kappa agreement for bariatric overeating episodes was moderate (.60).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings, based on 4 expert raters, suggest that complex eating-disorder psychopathology, as well as the newly proposed eating behavior with size thresholds relevant to bariatric patients, can be reliably assessed. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide initial evaluation and support for the interrater reliability of the original EDE with additional modified eating categories developed for postbariatric surgery patients.

The Clinical Obesity Maintenance Model: A Theoretical Framework for Bariatric Psychology

Ranked highly in its association with serious medical comorbidities, obesity, a rapidly growing epidemic worldwide, poses a significant socio-economic burden. While bariatric procedures offer the most efficacious treatment for weight loss, a subset of patients risk weight recidivism. Due to the heterogeneity of obesity, it is likely that there are phenotypes or sub-groups of patients that require evidence-based psychological support to produce more sustainable outcomes. So far, however, characteristics of patients have not led to a personalized treatment algorithm for bariatric surgery. Maintenance of weight loss following bariatric surgery requires long-term modification of eating behaviors and physical activity. A recent Clinical Obesity Maintenance Model (COMM) proposed a conceptual framework of salient constructs, including the role of habit, behavioral clusters, emotion dysregulation, mood, health literacy, and executive function as interconnected drivers of obesity maintaining behaviors relevant to the field of bariatric psychology. The primary aim of this concise review is to bring together emerging findings from experimental and epidemiological studies relating to the COMM constructs that may inform the assessment and follow up of bariatric surgery. We also aim to explain the phenotypes that need to be understood and screened prior to bariatric surgery to enable better pre-surgery intervention and optimum post-surgery response.

Eating Pathology After Bariatric Surgery: an Updated Review of the Recent Literature

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The goal of this paper was to extend the prior literature on eating pathology following bariatric surgery by highlighting themes in data published over the past 3 years and identifying limitations and future directions for research.

RECENT FINDINGS

Changes in eating pathology after bariatric surgery remain consistent with previous research. Specifically, diagnostic prevalence rates and incidence of related behaviors generally decrease following surgery. However, some research supports that these factors increase and/or remit over time following surgery, and that they subsequently have a negative impact on weight loss outcomes. While recent findings have extended knowledge on eating pathology following bariatric surgery, the overall body of literature is still relatively limited. Additional research is needed, including work focusing on the standardization of eating pathology definitions, development/validation of standardized eating pathology instruments for bariatric surgery patients, and predictors of risk for continued or new onset eating pathology following surgery.

BARIATRIC SURGERY AND BINGE EATING DISORDER: SHOULD SURGEONS CARE ABOUT IT? A LITERATURE REVIEW OF PREVALENCE AND ASSESSMENT TOOLS

BACKGROUND

Eating pathologies among bariatric surgery candidates are common and associated with adverse surgical outcomes, including weight regain and low quality of life. However, their assessment is made difficult by the great variety and inconsistent use of standardized measures.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this review was to synthesize current knowledge on the prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) in presurgical patients and to make a critical appraisal of assessment tools for BED.

METHODS

A search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from January 1994 to March 2017. Data were extracted, tabulated and summarized using a narrative approach.

RESULTS

A total of 21 observational studies were reviewed for data extraction and analysis. Prevalence of BED in bariatric populations ranged from 2% to 53%. Considerable variation in patient characteristics and in BED assessment measures was evident among the studies. In addition, several methodological weaknesses were recognized in most of the studies. Ten different psychometric instruments were used to assess BED. Clinical interviews were used in only 12 studies, though this is the preferred tool to diagnose BED.

CONCLUSION

Study heterogeneity accounted for the variability of the results from different centers and methodological flaws such as insufficient sample size and selection bias impaired the evidence on the magnitude of BED in surgical settings. For the sake of comparability and generalizability of the findings in future studies, researchers must recruit representative samples of treatment-seeking candidates for bariatric surgery and systematically apply standard instruments for the assessment of BED.

How does grazing relate to body mass index, self-compassion, mindfulness and mindful eating in a student population?

Contemporary research investigating obesity has focused on grazing (i.e. an uncontrolled and repetitive consumption of small amounts of food). Meanwhile, constructs such as mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion have received much attention in assisting individuals with eating behaviours and weight regulation. The association between those constructs and grazing, however, has not been explored. In a cross-sectional study, university students (n = 261) were recruited to explore the relationship of mindfulness, mindful eating and self-compassion with current weight and grazing. Results indicated that all constructs were negatively related to grazing, but only mindful eating related negatively to current weight. In addition, mindful eating mediated the relationship between grazing and current weight. Possible explanations and future directions are discussed further with an emphasis on the need for more empirical work.

Aspiration Therapy for Obesity

Aspiration therapy is a weight loss therapy in the United States for patients with a body mass index between 35 kg/m² and 55 kg/m². Aspiration therapy allows patients to remove up to one-third of calories consumed at a meal and causes patients to eat fewer calories than prior to starting treatment. Studies demonstrate 14.2% to 21.5% total body weight loss in participants who complete 1 year of treatment and maintenance of weight loss in patients treated for 2 years. Aspiration therapy is a safe and effective new treatment of obesity.

Psychometric Evaluation of Disordered Eating Measures in Bariatric Surgery Candidates

INTRODUCTION

Assessment of disordered eating is common in bariatric surgery candidates, yet psychometric properties of disordered eating measures in this population are largely unknown.

METHODS

Measures were completed by 405 adult bariatric surgery candidates at pre-surgical consultation. Fit of the original scale structures was tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and alternative factor solutions were generated using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Reliability (internal consistency), construct validity (convergent and divergent) and criterion validity (with the EDE as criterion) were assessed.

MATERIALS

The measures prioritised for evaluation are the following: Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q; n = 405), Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ; n = 405), Questionnaire of Eating and Weight Patterns Revised (QEWP-R; n = 204), Clinical Impairment Assessment (CIA; n = 204) and the Eating Disorder Examination clinical interview (EDE; n = 131).

RESULTS

CFA revealed adequate fit for only the CIA in its current form (CFI = 0.925, RMSEA = 0.096). EFA produced revised scales with improved reliability for the EDE, EDE-Q and TFEQ. Reliability of revised subscales was improved (original scales α = 0.43-0.82; revised scales α = 0.67-0.93). Correlational analyses of the CIA and revised versions of remaining scales with measures of psychological wellbeing and impairment revealed adequate convergent validity. All measures differentiated an EDE-classified disordered eating group from a non-disordered eating group (criterion validity). Diagnostic concordance between the EDE, EDE-Q and QEWP-R was low, and identification of disordered eating behaviours was inconsistent across measures.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings highlight the limitations of existing disordered eating questionnaires in bariatric surgery candidates. Results suggest revised assessments are required to overcome these limitations and ensure that measures informing clinical recommendations regarding patient care are reliable and valid.

Cirurgia bariátrica e transtornos alimentares: uma revisão integrativa

RESUMO Objetivo Realizar revisão sobre transtornos alimentares e comportamentos alimentares transtornados relacionados à cirurgia bariátrica. Métodos Revisão integrativa da literatura nas bases de dados PubMed, Lilacs, Bireme, portal SciELO com descritores indexados com critérios de inclusão: oferecer dado sobre a presença ou frequência de transtorno alimentar e/ou comportamentos alimentares disfuncionais previamente e/ou após a cirurgia. Resultados Foram selecionados 150 estudos (14 nacionais e 136 internacionais): 80,6% eram com avaliação de pacientes pré-/pós-cirúrgicos; 12% eram estudos de caso e 7,3% eram estudos de revisão. Diferentes instrumentos foram usados para avaliação, principalmente o Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns, a Binge Eating Scale e Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire. A compulsão alimentar foi o comportamento mais avaliado, com frequências/prevalências variando de 2% a 94%; no caso do transtorno da compulsão alimentar as frequências/prevalências variaram de 3% a 61%. Houve também a descrição de anorexia e bulimia nervosa, síndrome da alimentação noturna e comportamento beliscador. Alguns estudos apontam melhora dos sintomas no pós-cirúrgico e/ou seguimento enquanto outros apontam surgimento ou piora dos problemas. Conclusão Apesar da variabilidade entre métodos e achados, comportamentos alimentares disfuncionais são muito frequentes em candidatos à cirurgia bariátrica e podem ainda surgir ou piorar após a intervenção cirúrgica. Profissionais de saúde devem considerar de maneira mais cuidadosa tais problemas neste público, dadas às consequências para o resultado cirúrgico e qualidade de vida.

Assessing childhood maltreatment and mental health correlates of disordered eating profiles in a nationally representative sample of English females

PURPOSE

Previous research suggests that childhood maltreatment is associated with the onset of eating disorders (ED). In turn, EDs are associated with alternative psychopathologies such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and with suicidality. Moreover, it has been reported that various ED profiles may exist. The aim of the current study was to examine the profiles of disordered eating and the associations of these with childhood maltreatment and with mental health psychopathology.

METHODS

The current study utilised a representative sample of English females (N = 4206) and assessed for the presence of disordered eating profiles using Latent Class Analysis. Multinomial logistic regression was implemented to examine the associations of childhood sexual and physical abuse with the disordered eating profiles and the associations of these with PTSD, depression and suicidality.

RESULTS

Results supported those of previous findings in that we found five latent classes of which three were regarded as disordered eating classes. Significant relationships were found between these and measures of childhood trauma and mental health outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Childhood sexual and physical abuse increased the likelihood of membership in disordered eating classes and these in turn increased the likelihood of adverse mental health and suicidal outcomes.

Eating Disorders and Problematic Eating Behaviours Before and After Bariatric Surgery: Characterization, Assessment and Association with Treatment Outcomes

Accumulating evidence suggests that bariatric surgery candidates are likely to present with eating disorders (EDs) and/or problematic eating behaviours (EBs), and research suggests that these problems may persist or develop after bariatric surgery. While there is growing evidence indicating that EDs and EBs may impact bariatric surgery outcomes, the definitions and assessment methods used lack consensus, and findings have been mixed. The aims of this paper were (1) to summarize the existing literature on pre‐operative and post‐operative EDs and problematic EBs; (2) to discuss the terms, definitions and assessment measures used across studies; and (3) to consider the extent to which the presence of these problems impact surgery outcomes. We highlight the importance of investigators utilizing consistent definitions and assessment methodologies across studies. © 2015 The Authors. European Eating Disorders Review published by Eating Disorders Association and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.