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Binge Eating Before and After Bariatric Surgery

  • Psychological Issues (LJ Heinberg and K Goodpaster, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Obesity Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose is to review the state of the literature of binge eating in the context of bariatric surgery including prevalence, conceptualization, assessment, course, and related sequela throughout the perioperative continuum, particularly highlighting new advancements and future directions.

Recent Findings

Accurate assessment of binge eating in bariatric samples is essential for optimization of patient outcomes. Binge eating is less prevalent after bariatric surgery; however, prevalence rates increase over time. Most studies do not find a relationship between pre-operative binge eating and suboptimal weight outcomes after surgery. Refinement in understanding and conceptualization of post-operative binge eating is needed; new conceptualizations have proposed such a definition. Emerging constructs relevant to binge eating for bariatric patients include food addiction and food insecurity.

Summary

Despite the introduction of formal diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder, many uncertainties regarding the prevalence, course, and effects of binge eating currently exist; varied assessment methods continue to be a barrier to research on binge eating in bariatric surgery samples. Consensus on operational definitions for post-operative binge eating and best practices for assessment are areas for future consideration.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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  1. West Virginia University School of Medicine, Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, Morgantown, USA

    Laura Aylward & Stephanie Cox

  2. Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, USA

    Madeline Konsor

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  1. Laura Aylward
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Correspondence to Stephanie Cox.

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Aylward, L., Konsor, M. & Cox, S. Binge Eating Before and After Bariatric Surgery. Curr Obes Rep 11, 386–394 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-022-00486-w

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