Effects of bariatric surgery on binge eating and related psychopathology.

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), and the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) were administered to 50 morbidly obese patients before and after gastric bypass surgery. Subjects were classified as non-binge or binge eaters prior to surgery. Though the two groups differed markedly before operation, they were largely indistinguishable 4 months afterward. All binge eating had ceased and mood had improved markedly. TFEQ Restraint scores increased, and Disinhibition and Hunger scores decreased. EDE Eating Concern, Shape Concern, and Weight Concern scores dropped. EDE Restraint scores decreased in non-binge eaters and increased in binge eaters. The overall findings indicate that gastric bypass surgery had a positive short-term impact on non-binge and binge eaters alike.