Binge eating behaviours are associated with recurrent weight gain after metabolic and bariatric surgery

Recurrent weight gain (RWG) is a major post-operative challenge among metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) patients. Binge eating behaviours (BEB) and food addiction (FA) have been identified as significant predictors of post-MBS RWG. However, limited research has investigated their independent associations with post-MBS RWG.

This cross-sectional study collected data via a self-reported questionnaire of post-MBS patient demographics and eating behaviours from a single-site academic obesity medicine program. The Binge Eating Scale and Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 collected data on BEB and FA exposure variables, respectively. ANOVA/chi-square tests determined bivariate associations with BEB and FA, while multivariable logistic regression models examined independent adjusted associations of BEB and FA with RWG% cut-offs.

Of the 294 MBS patients (90.48% female, and 51.71% non-Hispanic white), 42.3% had BEB, 12.55% had severe FA, 7.36% moderate FA, and 7.36% mild FA. After adjustment, BEB was significantly associated with all magnitudes of post-MBS RWG, with the highest odds observed at 50% RWG [OR = 3.07; 95% CI: 1.45, 6.49; p = 0.003]. FA was not significantly associated with post-MBS RWG.

Results showed that BEB, but not FA, was associated with post-MBS RWG. MBS patient support teams should consider screening for BEB at post-MBS visits.