Ana Pinto-Bastos

Stability of problematic eating behaviors and weight loss trajectories after bariatric surgery: a longitudinal observational study

BACKGROUND The literature is rather mixed regarding the stability and the role of pre- and postoperative problematic eating behaviors (PEBs) on weight outcomes after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVES To investigate the stability of loss of control (LOC) eating and picking and/or nibbling from pre- to postoperative assessments, and to investigate whether pre- and postoperative PEBs are predictors of different weight loss trajectories. SETTING Central Hospital, University, Portugal. METHODS This longitudinal study assessed LOC eating and picking and/or nibbling before and approximately 2 years after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass through face-to-face interviews and 2 self-report measures. Weight across follow-up time was retrieved from hospital charts. Of the 130 patients invited to participate in the study, 100 were assessed preoperatively, and of these, 61 were also assessed postoperatively. RESULTS Frequency of PEBs is similar pre- and postoperatively (37.7% and 45.9%, respectively) (McNemar χ2P = .832). Yet, about 40% ceased preoperative PEBs. Those with LOC preoperatively were more likely to develop picking and/or nibbling postoperatively (McNemar χ2P<.05). About 39.5% developed PEBs de novo after surgery. The presence of PEBs postoperatively was a significant predictor of different weight loss trajectories after both laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Worse weight loss outcomes were found particularly at 17-20 months postsurgery. Preoperative PEBs were not a significant predictor. CONCLUSIONS Our data do not support the stability of all PEBs across time, highlighting that the absence of preoperative PEBs does not preclude an unfavorable weight loss outcome after surgery. Postoperative but not preoperative PEBs are predictors of poorer weight loss trajectories after surgery.

Problematic eating behaviors and psychopathology in patients undergoing bariatric surgery: The mediating role of loss of control eating

OBJECTIVE This study compares different problematic eating behaviors (PEBs; objective [OBE]/subjective [SBE] binge-eating and compulsive [CG]/noncompulsive [NCG] grazing) in relation to the severity of loss of control (LOC) and psychopathology. We also investigate LOC as a mediator between PEBs and psychopathology. METHOD This cross-sectional study assessed a group of patients before bariatric surgery (n = 163), and a group of bariatric patients 12 months or more after surgery (n = 131). Face-to-face assessment: Eating Disorders Examination for binge-eating episodes; Rep(eat) for grazing. LOC was measured by five questions answered in a 5-point Likert scale. Self-report measures: disordered eating, grazing, negative urgency, depression, anxiety, and stress. RESULTS OBEs were reported by 26(8.8%), SBE by 29(9.8%), CG by 35(11.9%), and NCG by 36(12.2%) of patients. The different PEBs differed significantly in the severity of LOC (F(3,120)= 25.81, p < .001). Patients reporting OBEs scored higher and patients with NCG scored lower in most measures than patients with other PEBs. Patients with any PEBs scored higher in all self-report measures than those not reporting any PEBs, with statistical significance reached for uncontrolled eating (F(4,288)= 20.21, p < .001), emotional eating (F(4,288)= 23.10, p < .001), repetitive eating F(4,288)= 18.34, p < .001), and compulsive grazing (F(4,288)= 27.14, p < .001). LOC was found to be a full mediator between PEBs and psychopathology. DISCUSSION There is no evidence that the different PEBs differ in the psychopathology severity, independently of the experience of LOC eating during the eating episodes. We show evidence for the conceptualization of different PEB, including grazing, on a continuous scale of LOC and psychopathology.

Disordered Eating and Obesity

Obesity has become a pressing health problem worldwide, resulting in significant morbidity in both the physical health and psychological status of those affected. Abnormal eating behavior is commonly seen in obese individuals, and may play a central role in the success of weight loss efforts and the risk of further weight gain. Binge eating disorder and loss of control are the most commonly reported eating behavior problems in this population. However, other problematic eating behaviors seem to play an important role in obesity as well, such as grazing, night eating and emotional eating. Specific training in order for clinicians to assess and clinically address these behaviors is crucial.

Psychological, behavioral, and weight-related aspects of patients undergoing reoperative bariatric surgery after gastric band: comparison with primary surgery patients

BACKGROUND Patients experiencing insufficient weight loss or weight regain in their first bariatric surgery may represent a high-risk group with greater problematic eating and general psychopathology levels, which may compromise the success of a reoperative procedure. OBJECTIVES This study seeks to describe and compare disordered eating-related psychological and behavioral features of primary and reoperative surgery candidates after gastric band. SETTING Hospital center and university in Portugal. METHODS The baseline (preoperative) data from a longitudinal observational study are presented. Patients were interviewed by trained psychologists to identify binge-eating episodes and grazing and responded to a set of self-report measures: disordered eating, grazing, negative urgency, depression, anxiety, and stress. RESULTS Two hundred twenty-five patients were undergoing primary surgery, and 166 were undergoing reoperative (REOP group) surgery. The groups did not differ in body mass index preoperatively, but the REOP group had greater weight suppression (t387 = -5.35, P = .001), higher highest (t387 = -3.40, P = .001) and lower lowest body mass index (t381 = 2.22, P = .03). The main reasons for reoperative surgery were weight regain/poor weight loss (42.8%) or medical complications (32.5%). REOP patients with objective binge eating reported a higher frequency of these episodes (t47 = 2.15, P = .04). No significant difference was found for the self-report measures assessed (only shape concern was higher for REOP group, F1,216 = 8.30, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS Despite the preoperative similarities between patients undergoing reoperative or primary surgeries, the differences in binge eating and weight-related variables may associate with postoperative difficulties. The link between binge eating, weight suppression, and weight gain found in other samples suggests that patients undergoing reoperative surgery may be at increased risk for poor weight outcomes.

New Technology in the Assessment and Treatment of Obesity

The growing use of digital technology to search for health information and track health indicators and symptoms is propelling a new approach to prevention and intervention in obesity. The advancement in technology has created the opportunity to use internet, mobile phones and other digital devices to promote healthy lifestyles and change behaviors associated with obesity, as well improvement in physical activities and unhealthy diets.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Depression and Eating Disorders in Patients Submitted to Bariatric Surgery

INTRODUCTION Obesity is associated with a great number of complications, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and psychiatric pathology. Bariatric surgery is the best solution to weight loss and improvement of complications in morbid obese patients. This study aims to analyze the evolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus and psychopathologic variables before and after bariatric surgery and assess the importance of different variables in weight loss. MATERIAL AND METHODS This is a longitudinal study, which evaluates 75 patients before and after bariatric surgery (47 - LAGB - laparoscopic adjustable gastric band; 19 - RYGB - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; 9 - sleeve) with a follow-up time between 18 and 46 months. A clinical interview and self report questionnaires were applied - Eating Disorder Examination questionnaire - EDE-Q and Beck Depression Inventory - BDI. RESULTS Results show an improvement in type 2 diabetes mellitus after surgery (X2 (1) = 26.132, p < 0.001). There was not a significant improvement among psychiatric pathology when we controlled the analysis for the type of surgery. It was verified that type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression and eating disorders in post-operative period are associated with less weight loss. This model explains 27% of weight variance after surgery (R2 = 0.265) and it is significant F (3.33) = 2.981, p = 0.038. DISCUSSION Type 2 diabetes mellitus, psychiatric pathology and eating disorders after surgery influenced weight loss. It was not clear in what way this relation was verified, neither the relation that these metabolic and psychological variables may have during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION Type 2 diabetes mellitus improved after surgery. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, depression and eating disorders influenced weight loss in the postoperative period. These variables did not influence weight loss in the preoperative period.