Prevalence of Eating Disorders Among Bariatric Surgery Patients

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence of eating disorders among a group of 125 patients presenting for gastric bypass surgery. Prior to surgery they completed a self-report questionnaire to indicate the presence of eating-disordered behaviors—specifically, bingeing, grazing, and purging—and the presence of depression. The results showed a 33.3% prevalence of severe binge eating in this group. Severe binge eating was associated with grazing behavior and depression. Findings suggest that bariatric patients should be carefully assessed for eating disorders prior to surgery so that a comprehensive treatment plan can be implemented to help ensure postsurgical weight loss maintenance.