Zachary A Soulliard1, Cassie Brode2, Lawrence E Tabone3, Nova Szoka3, Salim Abunnaja3, Stephanie Cox2. 1. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, 60 College Street, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA. zachary.soulliard@yale.edu. 2. Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, 930 Chestnut Ridge Road, Morgantown, WV, 26505, USA. 3. Department of Surgery, One Medical Center Drive, West Virginia University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 9238, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Weight bias internalization, or the process of applying negative weight-related attitudes and beliefs to oneself, is an important construct in regard to patients pursuing bariatric surgery. Weight bias internalization (or internalized weight bias) has been previously associated with depressive symptoms and binge eating among pre-surgical bariatric patients. However, a gap in the literature exists pertaining to how certain eating behaviors may mediate the relationship between weight bias internalization and binge eating. The present study assessed the role of eating behaviors (i.e., cognitive restraint, disinhibition, and hunger) as mediators between weight bias internalization and binge eating symptoms when controlling for depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 708 adults (Mage = 42.91; White = 95.3%; women = 79.4%) seeking bariatric surgery at a tertiary academic medical center in the Appalachia region of the USA were included in this retrospective study. Patients completed validated measures of weight bias internalization, eating behaviors, and depression as part of a routine, psychological evaluation in order to determine surgical clearance. RESULTS: Disinhibition and hunger were significant mediators in the relationship between weight bias internalization and binge eating beyond the role of depressive symptoms alone. CONCLUSION: Disinhibited eating, or the tendency to experience a loss of control and eating in response to negative emotions, as well as subjective feelings of hunger are important dimensions of eating, particularly as related to weight bias internalization and binge eating. Weight bias internalization is an important factor to consider among pre-surgical bariatric patients and warrants additional treatment considerations.
PURPOSE: Weight bias internalization, or the process of applying negative weight-related attitudes and beliefs to oneself, is an important construct in regard to patients pursuing bariatric surgery. Weight bias internalization (or internalized weight bias) has been previously associated with depressive symptoms and binge eating among pre-surgical bariatric patients. However, a gap in the literature exists pertaining to how certain eating behaviors may mediate the relationship between weight bias internalization and binge eating. The present study assessed the role of eating behaviors (i.e., cognitive restraint, disinhibition, and hunger) as mediators between weight bias internalization and binge eating symptoms when controlling for depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 708 adults (Mage = 42.91; White = 95.3%; women = 79.4%) seeking bariatric surgery at a tertiary academic medical center in the Appalachia region of the USA were included in this retrospective study. Patients completed validated measures of weight bias internalization, eating behaviors, and depression as part of a routine, psychological evaluation in order to determine surgical clearance. RESULTS: Disinhibition and hunger were significant mediators in the relationship between weight bias internalization and binge eating beyond the role of depressive symptoms alone. CONCLUSION: Disinhibited eating, or the tendency to experience a loss of control and eating in response to negative emotions, as well as subjective feelings of hunger are important dimensions of eating, particularly as related to weight bias internalization and binge eating. Weight bias internalization is an important factor to consider among pre-surgical bariatric patients and warrants additional treatment considerations.
Authors: Larissa A McGarrity; Alexandra L Terrill; Paige L Martinez; Anna R Ibele; Ellen H Morrow; Eric T Volckmann; Timothy W Smith Journal: Obes Surg Date: 2022-01-29 Impact factor: 4.129
Authors: Tosca D Braun; Amy A Gorin; Rebecca M Puhl; Andrea Stone; Diane M Quinn; Jennifer Ferrand; Ana M Abrantes; Jessica Unick; Darren Tishler; Pavlos Papasavas Journal: Obes Surg Date: 2021-04-27 Impact factor: 3.479