Binge eating in surgical weight-loss treatments. Long-term associations with weight loss, health related quality of life (HRQL), and psychopathology

Binge Eating in Patients Pursuing Bariatric Surgery: Understanding Relationships with Food Insecurity and Adverse Childhood Experiences

BACKGROUND

Positive relationships exist between adult food insecurity and binge eating, and between adverse childhood experiences and binge eating. However, the nature of these relationships remains to be determined.

OBJECTIVES

The current study sought to examine the association between binge eating and childhood abuse and/or neglect and household dysfunction and to explore whether the strength of the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and binge eating differs across levels of food insecurity in patients seeking bariatric surgery.

SETTING

University Hospital in the Appalachian region of United States.

METHODS

A total of 366 adults seeking bariatric surgery completed validated questionnaires as a component of a routine psychological evaluation prior to surgery.

RESULTS

Only childhood experiences of abuse and/or neglect were positively related to adult binge eating, r(363) = .13, P = .011. Food insecurity moderated the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and binge eating, F(4, 358) = 242.98, P < .001, such that the relationship was stronger for individuals who endorsed the presence of both food insecurity and adverse childhood experiences (M = 15.90; standard deviation [SD] = 8.38), relative to individuals who endorsed the absence of both food insecurity and adverse childhood experiences (M = 11.19; SD = 7.91; Tukey P = .005; d = .58).

CONCLUSIONS

Food insecurity strengthens the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and adult binge eating. Results suggest that healthcare providers should include assessments of both adverse childhood experiences and food insecurity to identify patients who may be at risk for disordered eating prior to surgery, as these individuals may require additional interventions to address binge eating and related factors.

Differences in Food Craving in Individuals With Obesity With and Without Binge Eating Disorder

Overeating behavior is supposedly a major contributing factor to weight gain and obesity. Binge eating disorder (BED) with reoccurring episodes of excessive overeating is strongly associated with obesity. Learning models of overeating behavior and BED assume that mere confrontation with food leads to a conditioned response that is experienced as food craving. Accordingly, individuals with obesity and BED were shown to have high trait food cravings. To date, little is known about differences in state food cravings and cue reactivity at the sight of palatable food in individuals with obesity and BED compared to individuals with obesity without BED. Therefore, the aim of our study was to examine differences in cue-induced, state and trait food cravings in people with obesity with and without BED. We found that all aspects of food cravings were more prevalent in individuals with obesity and BED than in individuals without BED. By implementing a food cue reactivity paradigm, our results show that individuals with obesity with BED have more cue-induced cravings than individuals with obesity without BED. Moreover, these cue-induced cravings in individuals with obesity and BED were highest for high-fat and high-sugar foods as opposed to low-calorie foods. Thus, our results emphasize the role of increased cue reactivity and craving at the sight of palatable foods in individuals with obesity and BED. Hence, our findings support etiological models of conditioned binge eating and are in line with interventions targeting cue reactivity in BED.

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.

Weight loss in adults following bariatric surgery, a systematic review of preoperative behavioural predictors

Bariatric surgery is effective in treating obesity in many cases, yet as many as 50% of patients may not achieve the desired weight reduction. Preoperative modifiable behavioural factors could help patient selection and intervention design to improve outcomes. Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and PsychINFO were searched to identify studies published between 1 January 2008 and 14 February 2019 reporting on preoperative modifiable behavioural factors associated with postoperative weight loss, with minimum 2 years follow-up. A total of 6888 articles were screened, 34 met the inclusion criteria. Maladaptive eating behaviours (MEB), preoperative weight loss (PWL), and tobacco use were reported 21, 18, and 3 times respectively. Physical activity and substance abuse were each reported once. Most articles on PWL (72.2%) and MEB (52.4%) reported no association. Positive associations were reported in 22.2% and 14.3% of articles for PWL and MEB respectively. Negative associations were reported in 5.6% and 33.3% of articles for PWL and MEB, respectively. Marked heterogeneity in outcome reporting hindered quantitative synthesis. The current paucity of evidence amenable to synthesis leads to ongoing uncertainty regarding the size and direction of association between PWL and MEB with outcomes following bariatric surgery. Long-term studies with common reporting of outcomes are needed.

Binge eating scores pre-bariatric surgery and subsequent weight loss: A prospective, 5 years follow-up study

BACKGROUND & AIMS

To compare groups of bariatric patients with preoperative scores of Binge Eating Scale (BES) above and below the clinical cut off value on weight outcomes up to 60 months following surgery.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study involving 108 Brazilian patients (follow-up rate: 48.1%) operated by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In the preoperative period, they were clinically evaluated, and BES was applied. Based on the scores, patients were categorized as high or low according to established cut off 17 for binge eaters. Follow-up weight loss was obtained (3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months) using data from medical records. The percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) was examined by generalized linear model.

RESULTS

41.7% of patients had BES scores higher than 17 at baseline. Weight loss was significant up to 12 months. The greatest weight loss was at 24 months of follow-up, ranging from 2.7 to 110.4 kg (mean 42.9 ± 17.8 kg). In the short postoperative period (3, 24, and 36 months), %TWL was significantly different between groups. At 24 months, patients with higher scores lost more %TWL than those with lower scores (35.1 ± 0.8% vs 31.6 ± 0.7%, p = 0.029). However, this difference was not fount at 60 months postoperatively (mean 28.9 ± 9.6%). In a multivariate analysis, the presence of depression, age, and BES score were not associated with %TWL at 24 and 60 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that preoperative BES scores point to a similar weight loss after bariatric surgery. Further studies with long-term follow-up are necessary to evaluate this finding.

The effects of bariatric surgery on psychological aspects of eating behaviour and food intake in humans

Bariatric surgery has emerged as an increasingly popular weight loss intervention, with larger and more endurable weight loss compared to pharmacological and behavioural interventions. The degree of weight loss patients experience varies, between individuals, surgeries and over time. An explanation as to why differing weight loss trajectories exist post-surgery could be due to the complex interplay of individual differences in relation to eating behaviours and appetite. Thus the aim of this narrative review is to explore literature between 2008 and 2018, to assess the impact of impact of bariatric surgery on food selection and nutrient status, on eating behaviour traits and on disturbed and disordered eating behaviour, to determine their impact of weight loss success and weight loss trajectories. Immediately post-surgery, up until 1-2 years post-surgery, there is a reliance upon the surgery's alteration of the gastrointestinal tract to control food intake and subsequently lose weight. Energy intake is reduced, dietary adherence is higher, supplement intake is higher, appetite ratings are lower, there is a reduction in psychopathology, and an increase in wellbeing. After this point, patients become more susceptible to weight regain, as this is the point where passive observation of the weight reducing action of surgery, moves into more cognitive effort, on the part of the individual, to control energy intake. There are various factors which influence an individual's ability to successfully regulate their energy intake post-surgery, such as their level of Disinhibition, Restraint, Hunger, Emotional Eating, Uncontrolled Eating, psychopathology and wellbeing. The need for continued psychological and nutritional support post-surgery is necessary to reduce weight regain susceptibility.

Psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments for binge eating disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective

To systematically review the efficacy of psychological, pharmacological, and combined treatments for binge eating disorder (BED).

Method

Systematic search and meta-analysis.

Results

We found 45 unique studies with low/medium risk of bias, and moderate support for the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and CBT guided self-help (with moderate quality of evidence), and modest support for interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), and lisdexamfetamine (with low quality of evidence) in the treatment of adults with BED in terms of cessation of or reduction in the frequency of binge eating. The results on weight loss were disappointing. Only lisdexamfetamine showed a very modest effect on weight loss (low quality of evidence). While there is limited support for the long-term effect of psychological treatments, we have currently no data to ascertain the long-term effect of drug treatments. Some undesired side effects are more common in drug treatment compared to placebo, while the side effects of psychological treatments are unknown. Direct comparisons between pharmaceutical and psychological treatments are lacking as well as data to generalize these results to adolescents.

Conclusion

We found moderate support for the efficacy of CBT and guided self-help for the treatment of BED. However, IPT, SSRI, and lisdexamfetamine received only modest support in terms of cessation of or reduction in the frequency of binge eating. The lack of long-term follow-ups is alarming, especially with regard to medication. Long-term follow-ups, standardized assessments including measures of quality of life, and the study of underrepresented populations should be a priority for future research.

Personality characteristics and bariatric surgery outcomes: a systematic review

Introduction:

Numerous studies have focused on psychological assessment of bariatric surgery candidates, aiming to identify which psychological variables, including personality characteristics, are related to successful surgical prognosis.

Objective:

To analyze, by means of a systematic literature review, longitudinal studies that investigated personality traits and disorders as possible predictors of outcomes in bariatric surgery.

Method:

PsycInfo, PubMed, and Scopus databases were searched for studies published between 2005 and 2015, using the keywords "bariatric" AND "personality." Quantitative longitudinal studies in English, Portuguese, or Spanish were selected for review if they assessed personality as an outcome predictor of BS in people aged 18 years or older.

Results:

Sixteen articles were analyzed. The results of this review suggest that externalizing dysfunctions might be associated with less weight reduction, while internalizing dysfunctions appear to be associated with somatic concerns and psychological distress. The persistence dimension (of temperament in Cloninger's model) was positively associated with greater weight loss, while neuroticism (Five Factor Model) and the occurrence of personality disorders were not predictive of weight loss. Furthermore, the results indicate a tendency towards a reduction in personality disorders and neuroticism scores, and an increase in extroversion scores, after BS.

Conclusions:

Assessment of personality characteristics, whether to identify their predictive power or to detect changes during the BS process, is important since it can provide grounds for estimating surgical prognosis and for development of interventions targeting this population.

Emotion regulation and mental well-being before and six months after bariatric surgery

PURPOSE

According to the current state of research, mental health improves due to bariatric surgery. However, improvements in weight and psychosocial aspects often show a gradual decline with time. As emotion regulation (ER) appears to be a key variable in the successful outcome of weight loss treatments, the present study aimed at investigating ER-strategies applied by bariatric surgery candidates pre- and post-surgery and examining interactions between ER, depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life (HrQoL), and post-surgical weight loss.

METHODS

Prior to and 6 months after bariatric surgery, 45 patients (76% women) completed self-report questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II), HrQoL (Short Form-36 Health Survey), and ER-strategies (Emotion Regulation Inventory for Negative Emotions).

RESULTS

Six months post-surgery, the patients reported significant improvements in depressive symptomatology, HrQoL, and satisfaction with ER compared to pre-surgery. Groups differing in their course of ER-satisfaction also differed in psychosocial dimensions pre- to post-surgery, increased satisfaction being related to less impairment and enhanced communication of negative emotions as a form of an adaptive regulation. Patients with higher weight loss applied the strategy of controlled expression more frequently post-surgery than pre-surgery and compared to patients with lower weight loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative weight loss leads to improvements in ER-satisfaction and mental well-being. As satisfaction with ER seems to be associated with less impaired mental well-being among bariatric surgery candidates, presumably even more positive psychosocial outcomes could be obtained post-surgery by implementing trainings explicitly encouraging the use of adaptive ER-strategies.

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.

Development of significant disordered eating in an adolescent following gastric bypass surgery

The development of eating pathology is a concern following bariatric surgery, even in the absence of any pre-surgical psychopathology. No consistent risk factors have emerged in the literature to identify those at greatest risk. However, post-surgical guidelines encourage eating behaviors that would be considered disordered in other contexts. We present a case of an adolescent developing bulimia nervosa following gastric bypass surgery and the escalation of her symptoms from diligently following recommended food behaviors to a full-syndrome clinical eating disorder. We discuss the differences between appropriate post-surgical eating behaviors and disordered eating behaviors. We provide recommendations for clinicians to screen for eating pathology and referrals to an interprofessional treatment team to address eating disordered behaviors and cognitions.

Post-operative psychosocial predictors of outcome in bariatric surgery

Although there are several recent reviews of the pre-operative factors that influence treatment outcome for bariatric surgery, commensurate efforts to identify and review the predictive validity of post-operative variables are lacking. This review describes the post-operative psychosocial predictors of weight loss in bariatric surgery. Results suggest empirical support for post-operative binge eating, uncontrolled eating/grazing, and presence of a depressive disorder as negative predictors of weight loss outcomes; whereas, adherence to dietary and physical activity guidelines emerged as positive predictors of weight loss. With the exception of depression, psychological comorbidities were not consistently associated with weight loss outcomes. Results highlight the need for post-operative assessment of disordered eating and depressive disorder, further research on the predictive value of post-operative psychosocial factors, and development of targeted interventions.

The impact of bariatric surgery on quality of life: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This study aims to review the obesity literature in order to assess the impact of bariatric surgery on quality of life and the between-study variation by examining the standardized mean magnitude of effect in change in the levels of quality of life. The following databases EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies examining change in quality of life in adults receiving bariatric surgery for obesity. Seventy-two studies were included with a total of 9,433 participants treated for obesity with bariatric surgery. The average impact of bariatric surgery on quality of life corresponded to an effect size of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.80-0.96), indicating that bariatric surgery has a significant positive influence on quality of life in general. The impact varied considerably across studies with bariatric surgery showing a significantly greater positive influence on physical quality of life compared to mental quality of life. Bariatric surgery is effective in improving quality of life, especially when looking at physical well-being. Greater focus on the psychological well-being of the person undergoing surgery for obesity may lead to a better post-surgery prognosis for more people.

Severe obesity and comorbid condition impact on the weight-related quality of life of the adolescent patient

OBJECTIVES

To assess links between comorbid health status, severe excess weight, and weight-related quality of life (WRQOL) in adolescents with severe obesity and undergoing weight-loss surgery (WLS) to inform clinical care.

STUDY DESIGN

Baseline (preoperative) data from Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery, a prospective multicenter observational study of 242 adolescents with severe obesity (MedianBMI = 50.5 kg/m(2); Meanage = 17.1; 75.6% female; 71.9% white) undergoing WLS, were used to examine the impact of demographics, body mass index (BMI), presence/absence of 16 comorbid conditions, and a cumulative comorbidity load (CLoad) index on WRQOL scores (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids).

RESULTS

WRQOL was significantly lower than reference samples of healthy weight, overweight, and obese samples. Of 16 comorbid conditions, the most prevalent were dyslipidemia (74.4%), chronic pain (58.3%), and obstructive sleep apnea (56.6%). Male subjects had a greater CLoad (P = .01) and BMI (P = .01), yet less impairment in total WRQOL (P < .01) than females. CLoad was a significant predictor of male WRQOL. For females, psychosocial (vs physical) comorbidities, BMI, and white race were significant predictors of WRQOL impairment. Less prevalent conditions (eg, stress urinary incontinence) also emerged as contributors to lower WRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

WRQOL impairment is substantial for adolescents with severe obesity undergoing WLS, with predictors varying by sex. These patient-data highlight targets for education, support, and adjunctive care referrals before WLS. Furthermore, they provide a comprehensive empirical base for understanding heterogeneity in adolescent WRQOL outcomes after WLS, as weight and comorbidity profiles change over time.

Mental and physical health-related quality of life in obese patients before and after bariatric surgery: a meta-analysis

In this meta-analysis, we review studies that compare mental and physical health-related quality of life measured with the Short-Form 36 of obese patients before and after bariatric surgery with a follow-up measure until one year. Twenty-one studies were selected to conduct the meta-analysis about the relationship between quality of life in obesity before (2680 subjects) and after (2251 subjects) bariatric surgery. Results reveal that obese patients scored less in the mental health component of the Short-Form 36 before bariatric surgery than after (d = -9.00). The same pattern could be observed in the case of the physical health component of the Short-Form 36 (d = -22.84). The results show the strong improvement that obese patients experience in both mental and physical components of the Short-Form 36 after receiving bariatric surgery.

Binge eating, binge eating disorder and loss of control eating: effects on weight outcomes after bariatric surgery

There is increasing evidence that patients who have problems with binge eating (BE) or BE disorder (BED) are quite common among the severely obese, including bariatric surgery candidates. The literature suggests that in many cases such eating behaviours improve after bariatric surgery, although this is not uniformly true. The current paper reviews the data on the development of BE, BED and loss of control (LOC) eating after bariatric surgery and the impact of these problems on long-term weight outcome. A search was made of various databases regarding evidence of BE, BED and LOC eating post-operatively in bariatric surgery patients. The data extracted from the literature suggests that 15 research studies have now examined this question. Fourteen of the available 15 studies suggest that the development of problems with BE, BED or LOC eating post-bariatric surgery is associated with less weight loss and/or more weight regain post-bariatric surgery. These data suggests that it is important to identify individuals at high risk for these problems, to follow them post-operatively, and, if appropriate interventions can be developed if such behaviours occur in order to maximize weight loss outcomes.

Predictors of decreased binge eating following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding using the Health Action Process Approach model

The current study aimed to examine predictors of reduced binge eating in patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) for severe obesity. Participants were 49 patients (13 males and 36 females) who completed measures of binge eating, behavioural intentions, planning and self-efficacy two weeks prior and three months after their operation. Reduced binge eating following surgery was predicted by behavioural intentions. Planning and volitional self-efficacy were unable to predict a significant amount of variance over and above intentions. The results highlight how the role of intentions must not be overlooked when investigating the prediction of health behaviour change and challenge the notion that post-intentional constructs that translate intentions into action are more important. Interventions aiming to increase preoperative levels of intention to follow the post-operative eating guidelines in patients presenting with binge eating might be a useful way of decreasing this behaviour in patients opting for LAGB surgery in order to achieve weight loss and physical well-being.

Cravings and food consumption in Binge Eating Disorder

The purpose of this study was to extend existing work that examines the role of cravings in Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The current study uses a case-control design to establish a relationship between cravings and food exposure, and between cravings and food consumption in individuals diagnosed with BED. Twenty-nine females with BED, 40 obese controls, and 50 normal-weight controls were first presented with a neutral cue and completed a food-craving measure. They were then presented with their favourite snack food and completed the craving measure again, after which they were allowed to consume the food. The BED group had significantly higher scores for pre- and post-craving measures, and consumed more food compared to the controls. There was, however, no significant interaction between group and craving scores. Results also showed a positive correlation between food consumption and cravings scores both before and after food exposure for individuals with BED. The findings suggest that the level of cravings prior to food exposure may be sufficient to predict overeating in BED and that treatment may want to target this as a defining feature that differentiates individuals with BED from those who do not binge eat.

Two-year changes in generic and obesity-specific quality of life after gastric bypass

The study objectives were to assess 2-year changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL) after gastric bypass in patients with severe obesity and to analyze HRQL improvements in relation to weight loss after bariatric surgery. This was a prospective intervention study with consecutive patients referred to two bariatric surgical units in the Basque Country. We used both generic (Short Form Health Survey, SF-36 and EuroQol, EQ-5D), and specific questionnaires (Moorehead-Ardelt, MA II and Obesity-related Problems Scale, OP). Effect sizes and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated to assess the change in quality of life. Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated to assess whether there was an association between changes in body mass index (BMI) and HRQL. Of 82 patients who underwent surgery, 79 were followed-up for 2 years. Mean weight loss was 37% of body weight (49 kg) and BMI fell from 50.6 to 31.8. The initial problems and final improvements were greater in the physical dimensions. Considerable benefits were observed in assessments with all the instruments used. However, the changes in weight/BMI and HRQL were not linear. The comparison with general population showed a similar profile in SF-36 dimensions after surgery. Severely obese patients have lower perceived health across all dimensions of quality of life. Moreover, the impact on functioning is so important that severe obesity can be described as a cause of disability that disappears 2 years after surgical treatment. ROC curves indicate that most of the HRQL measures are poor predictors of change in terms of reduction in body weight or BMI.