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

Post bariatric surgery complications, nutritional and psychological status

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Bariatric surgery becomes the final option for managing severe obesity. This study aims to identify the complications, changes in anthropometry, adherence to dietary recommendations, and psychological well-being of post-bariatric surgery patients.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

An observational study was conducted on 63 post-bariatric surgery patients who had undergone bariatric surgery between two weeks and five years after surgery. The participants were assessed for the complications experienced, current comorbidities, anthropometric changes, dietary intake, and psychological well-being. A three-day, 24-hour diet recall was done to assess the dietary intake of the patients. The mean macronutrient and micronutrient intakes were compared to several available recommendations. The DASS-21 questionnaire was administered to determine the psychological well-being of the participants.

RESULTS

The most common complications experienced by patients after bariatric surgery were hair loss (50.8%), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (49.2%), and vomiting (41.3%). There were significant differences in mean weight before (129.5 (33.0) kg/m2) and after (85.0 (32.0) kg/m2) bariatric surgery (p<0.001). The prevalence of clinically severe obesity declined by 55%. Overall, patients had insufficient intake of some nutrients such as protein, fat, calcium, and iron. Majority of the patients experienced a normal level of stress, anxiety, and depression, but some had mild (3.2%), moderate (4.8%), and severe anxiety (1.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

There were drastic improvements in patients' weight following bariatric surgery. However, there were several complications including nutrient deficiencies. Due to the anatomical changes in the gastrointestinal tract, patients must comply with the dietary and lifestyle changes and follow up with the healthcare professional. A nutrition module will be helpful for patients to prepare for and adapt to the changes after bariatric surgery.

Bodily sensations and bariatric surgery: Links between interoceptive sensibility, intuitive and disordered eating behaviour in obesity and obesity surgery

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated interoceptive sensibility, intuitive and disordered eating among bariatric candidates, operated individuals and individuals with obesity seeking non-surgical treatment.

METHOD

We recruited 57 individuals with obesity seeking nonsurgical weight-loss (IOB), 84 bariatric candidates (Pre) and 22 individuals post-bariatric surgery (Post) who responded to questionnaires: Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), Dutch Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, Binge Eating Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck's Depression Inventory.

RESULTS

Overall, the Post group manifested higher scores on 'Body-Listening' (F = 4.95, p = 0.01), 'Emotional Awareness' (F = 8.83, p < 0.001) and 'Trusting' (F = 6.71, p = 0.002) interoceptive dimensions, on the IES-2 total score (F = 5.48, p = 0.007) and 'Reliance on hunger and satiety cues' (F = 31.3, p < 0.001) when age was controlled. The IOB group presented higher scores on emotional (F = 3.23, p = 0.047) and binge eating (F = 5.99, p = 0.004). Among operated individuals, intuitive eating mediated the relationship between interoceptive sensibility dimensions and binge eating: 'Attention regulation' (54%) 'Self-regulation' (75.1%), 'Body listening' (94.09%) and 'Trusting' (84.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest the therapeutic potential of interoceptive sensibility and intuitive eating in obesity management in/beyond the bariatric context.

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.

Food and alcohol disturbance among people who have undergone bariatric surgery

There have been numerous investigations of aberrant eating and substance abuse among patients who have undergone bariatric surgery, which affects the metabolism and the pharmacokinetics of alcohol. However, there is a dearth of literature considering the complex interplay between changes in post-surgery food and alcohol consumption. Furthermore, despite the increasing recognition of issues surrounding replacing food consumption with alcohol consumption (Food and Alcohol Disturbance [FAD]), most emerging research has focused on young adult populations. This perspective reviews and synthesizes the small but growing body of research on the interplay between food and alcohol consumption, particularly FAD, and considers its application to bariatric surgery in general. There are unique considerations for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Patients experience altered gastric anatomy, which affects food and alcohol metabolism, and are advised to abstain from drinking alcohol after surgery. After reviewing the available literature, this perspective highlights future directions for research and practice in bariatric surgery.

Characterizing the Course of Loss of Control Eating and Prognostic Factors Following Bariatric Surgery: an Exploratory Analysis

PURPOSE

Postoperative loss of control eating (LOCE) has detrimental associations with weight outcomes and mental health following bariatric surgery. However, little is known regarding LOCE course following surgery and preoperative factors that predict remittance, continuance, or development of LOCE. The present study aimed to characterize LOCE course in the year following surgery by identifying four groups: individuals with (1) postoperative de novo LOCE, (2) maintained LOCE (endorsed at pre- and post-surgery), (3) remitted LOCE (endorsed only at pre-surgery), and (4) those who never endorsed LOCE. Exploratory analyses examined group differences in baseline demographic and psychosocial factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 61 adult bariatric surgery patients completed questionnaires and ecological momentary assessment at pre-surgery and 3-, 6-, and 12-month postoperative follow-ups.

RESULTS

Results showed that 13 (21.3%) never endorsed LOCE prior to or after surgery, 12 (19.7%) developed LOCE after surgery, 7 (11.5%) evidenced remittance from LOCE after surgery, and 29 (47.5%) maintained LOCE prior to and after surgery. Relative to those who never endorsed LOCE, all groups who evidenced LOCE before and/or after surgery reported greater disinhibition; those who developed LOCE reported less planned eating; and those with maintained LOCE reported less satiety sensitivity and greater hedonic hunger.

CONCLUSION

These findings highlight the importance of postoperative LOCE and need for longer-term follow-up studies. Results also suggest a need to examine the longer-term impact of satiety sensitivity and hedonic eating on LOCE maintenance, and the extent to which meal planning may buffer risk for de novo LOCE following surgery.

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.

Associations of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Eating Behaviors and Body Mass Index in Patients with a History of Bariatric Surgery: a Cross-Sectional Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Few studies have explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the eating behaviors, dietary quality, and changes in weight of postoperative bariatric surgery patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey on eating behaviors and attitudes toward food was emailed or given to patients who had bariatric surgery before March 2020. Patient charts were reviewed for weight measures.

RESULTS

Seventy-five (71.43%) patients experienced weight recurrence with an average increase in body mass index (BMI) of 2.83 kg/m² (SD: 2.19). The majority of patients reported no symptoms of binge eating (n = 81, 77.14%) with 16 (15.24%) qualifying for loss of control eating (LOCE). LOCE was significantly associated with grazing behavior (p = 0.04), emotional over-eating (p = 0.001), and food responsiveness (p = 0.002). LOCE was negatively associated with dietary quality (p = 0.0009) and satiety responsiveness (p = 0.01). Grazing behavior was significantly associated with emotional over-eating (p < 0.0001) and food responsiveness (p < 0.0001) as well as negatively associated with dietary quality (p < 0.0001). Slow eating was negatively associated with grazing (p = 0.01), emotional over-eating (p = 0.003), and food responsiveness (p < 0.0001). When included in a regression model controlling for age and sex, emotional over-eating was a significant predictor of weight recurrence (β = 0.25; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that maladaptive eating behaviors contributed to LOCE and poor dietary quality during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, slow eating may be protective against grazing, emotional over-eating, and food responsiveness.

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the English- versus Spanish-language Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire: Brief Form (S-EDE-Q-BF) in Hispanic/Latino/a/x persons seeking bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND

Assessment of eating disorder psychopathology during preoperative psychological evaluations could be facilitated with psychometrically valid measures. One of the most commonly used measures, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), is lengthy and has been found to have psychometric limitations. Research has identified a shorter version that has received reliable support across diverse samples but requires further validation for use with patients being evaluated for bariatric surgery.

OBJECTIVES

To cross-validate the factor structure of the EDE-Q: Brief Form (EDE-Q-BF, standalone, nonnested version) with patients being evaluated for bariatric surgery across English- and Spanish-language versions and establish measurement invariance for gender and language.

SETTING

Northeastern hospital in the United States.

METHODS

Participants (n = 618) undergoing evaluations prior to bariatric surgery who identified as Hispanic/Latino/a/x and consented to participate in this research study (which did not influence eligibility for bariatric surgery) completed self-reports. Of the 618 participants, 92 were male and 526 were female, 318 preferred English and were administered English versions of the measures, and 300 preferred Spanish and were administered Spanish versions of the measures.

RESULTS

The 3-factor structure ("Restraint," "Weight/Shape Concerns," and "Body Dissatisfaction") of the EDE-Q-BF fit the data well (χ² [11] = 18.47; P = .071; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = .033; comparative fit index [CFI] > .99; standardized root mean squared residual [SRMR] = .02). Scaler invariance was met for both gender and language. Correlations with external criteria further supported its validity.

CONCLUSION

The EDE-Q-BF can easily be administered as part of a preoperative psychological assessment battery to screen for eating disorder psychopathology and is valid for Hispanic/Latino/a/x men and women who speak either English or Spanish.

Identifying eating disorders in adolescents and adults with overweight or obesity: A systematic review of screening questionnaires

OBJECTIVE

This review aimed to examine the validity of self-report screening questionnaires for identifying eating disorder (ED) risk in adults and adolescents with overweight/obesity.

METHOD

Five databases were searched from inception to September 2020 for studies assessing validation of self-report ED screening questionnaires against diagnostic interviews in adolescents and adults with overweight/obesity. The review was registered with PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=220013).

RESULTS

Twenty-seven papers examining 15 questionnaires were included. Most studies validated questionnaires for adults (22 of 27 studies), and most questionnaires (12 of 15) screened for binge eating or binge-eating disorder (BED). The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (sensitivity = .16-.88, specificity = .62-1.0) and Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns (sensitivity = .07-1.0, specificity = .0-1.0) were most frequently validated (six studies each). Five studies of three questionnaires were in adolescents, with the Adolescent Binge-Eating Disorder Questionnaire having highest sensitivity (1.0) but lower specificity (.27). Questionnaires designed to screen for BED generally had higher diagnostic accuracy than those screening for EDs in general.

DISCUSSION

Questionnaires have been well validated to identify BED in adults with overweight/obesity. Validated screening tools to identify other EDs in adults and any ED in adolescents with overweight/obesity are lacking. Thus, clinical assessment should inform the identification of patients with co-morbid EDs and overweight/obesity.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Individuals with overweight/obesity are at increased risk of EDs. This review highlights literature gaps regarding screening for ED risk in this vulnerable group. This work presents possibilities for improving care of individuals with overweight/obesity by reinventing ED screening tools to be better suited to diverse populations.

Nonnormative Eating Behaviors and Eating Disorders and Their Associations With Weight Loss and Quality of Life During 6 Years Following Obesity Surgery

IMPORTANCE

Individuals with severe obesity presenting for obesity surgery (OS) frequently show nonnormative eating behaviors (NEBs) and eating disorders (EDs), but the long-term course and prospective associations with weight loss and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prevalence and prospective relevance of presurgical and postsurgical NEBs and EDs according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, diagnosed through clinical interview, for weight loss and HRQOL up to 6 years following OS.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

In the prospective, multicenter Psychosocial Registry for Obesity Surgery cohort study, patients seeking OS were recruited at 6 OS centers in Germany and assessed at baseline before surgery and at 6 months and 1 to 6 years after surgery. From a consecutive sample of 1040 volunteers with planned OS from March 1, 2012, to December 31, 2020, a total of 748 (71.92%) were included in this study. Across follow-up, 93 of the 748 patients (12.43%) dropped out. Data were analyzed from April to November 2021.

INTERVENTIONS

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Both NEBs and EDs were identified using the Eating Disorder Examination interview. Main outcomes were the percentage of total body weight loss (%TBWL) and HRQOL (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite; range, 0-100, with 0 indicating worst and 100 indicating best).

RESULTS

In 748 patients undergoing OS (mean [SD] age, 46.26 [11.44] years; mean [SD] body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 48.38 [8.09]; 513 [68.58%] female), the mean (SD) %TBWL was 26.70% (9.61%), and the mean (SD) HRQOL improvement was 35.41 (20.63) percentage points across follow-up. Both NEBs and EDs were common before surgery, with postsurgical improvements of varying degrees. Whereas NEBs and EDs did not reveal significant prospective associations with %TBWL, loss-of-control eating at follow-up was concurrently associated with lower %TBWL (estimate, -0.09; 95% CI, -0.14 to -0.04). Loss-of-control eating (estimate, -0.10; 95% CI, -0.17 to -0.03 percentage points) and binge-eating disorder of low frequency and/or limited duration (estimate, -6.51; 95% CI, -12.69 to -0.34 percentage points) at follow-up showed significant prospective associations with lower HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This cohort study found prospective relevance of loss-of-control eating and binge-eating disorder of low frequency and/or limited duration for reduced long-term HRQOL following OS. These findings underline the importance of monitoring both NEBs, especially loss-of-control eating, and EDs in the long term postsurgically to identify patients in need of targeted prevention or psychotherapy.

Development, validation and clinical use of the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O)

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a major health problem with an increasing risk of mortality, associated with comorbidities and high rates of dropout. Research demonstrated that pathological eating behaviors could help to phenotype obese patients thus tailoring clinical interventions. Therefore, our aim was to develop (study 1), validate (study 2), and test in a clinical setting (study 3) the Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity (EBA-O).

METHOD

Study 1 included the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and McDonald's ω in a general population sample (N = 471). Study 2 foresaw the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and convergent validity in 169 participants with obesity. Study 3 tested the capability of the EBA-O to characterize eating behaviors in a clinical sample of 74 patients with obesity.

RESULTS

Study 1. EFA identified five factors (i.e., food addiction, night eating, binge eating, sweet eating, and prandial hyperphagia), explaining 68.3% of the variance. The final EBA-O consisted of 18 items. McDonald's ω ranged between 0.80 (hyperphagia) and 0.92 (binge eating), indicating very good reliability.

STUDY 2

A second-order five-factor model, through CFA, showed adequate fit: relative chi-square (χ²/df) = 1.95, CFI = 0.93, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.075, and SRMR = 0.06, thus suggesting the appropriateness of the EBA-O model. Significant correlations with psychopathological questionnaires demonstrated the convergent validity. Study 3. Significant associations between EBA-O factors and emotional-related eating behaviors emerged.

CONCLUSION

The EBA-O demonstrated to be a reliable and easy-to-use clinical tool to identify pathological eating behaviors in obesity, particularly useful for non-experts in eating disorders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V, descriptive research.

Restriction of range effects in post-metabolic and bariatric surgery outcomes research: considerations for clinical decision making

BACKGROUND

Preoperative psychopathology does not consistently predict postoperative outcomes in patients who undergo metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). Individuals with elevated pre-MBS psychopathology may be less likely to undergo surgery, which may create a floor effect given the limited range of scores on measures of psychopathology included in postoperative analyses, thereby decreasing the power to detect clinically significant differences between groups.

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to compare rates of clinically significant pre-MBS psychopathology across domains of functioning in patients who did and did not undergo MBS: surgical completers (SCs, n = 286) and nonsurgical completers (NSCs, n = 125).

SETTING

Academic medical center, United States.

METHODS

Participants (n = 411) were a racially diverse sample of MBS candidates who completed a preoperative psychosocial evaluation including measures of disordered eating, alcohol and tobacco use, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, and depressive symptomatology.

RESULTS

Compared with SCs, NSCs had larger scale score variance on measures of psychopathology and were more likely to be Black; to report clinically significant scores on measures of binge eating, depression, anxiety, and pain catastrophizing; and to use tobacco.

CONCLUSION

Results support the presence of a restriction-of-range effect but do not demonstrate a floor effect. These data suggest that current outcome data for MBS patients may not generalize to those who report clinically significant psychopathology at the pre-MBS psychosocial evaluation and may warrant caution when using the current literature to inform clinical decision making for this group. Findings also suggest a need for interventions that will better engage Black patients.