Binge Eating Behaviour Before and 10 Years Following Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery

Little is known about the longer-term maintenance, remission, or development of binge eating behaviour (BE) following metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS). This brief report investigated BE prior to and 10 years following MBS and examined mental health and weight outcomes between BE groups (never BE, continued BE, remitted BE, or developed 'de novo' BE).

One hundred and eighty-three participants (76.1% females) with a mean age of 44.8 (± 9.5) years and mean BMI of 42.9 kg/m² (± 5.4) were assessed before and 10 years following MBS (94.0% Roux-n-Y).

At 10 years, 48% had never engaged in BE, 27.9% had remitted, 15.8% had continued BE, and 8.2% reported de novo BE. Individuals who continued BE were younger, reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, and had regained more weight. Individuals who continued or developed de novo BE reported higher levels of post-surgical repetitive eating behaviour and were more likely to regain ≥ 25% of maximum weight lost.

Approximately 25% of the sample reported post-operative BE a decade following MBS, including 8.2% de novo cases. Individuals who engaged in post-operative BE demonstrated significantly worse mental health and weight outcomes, especially those with a lifetime history who continued to engage in BE after 10 years. Findings provide nuance to the existing literature and underscore the value of assessing BE at pre- and post-surgery.