Self-reported eating behaviors of extremely obese persons seeking bariatric surgery: a factor analytic approach.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the self-reported eating behaviors of persons seeking bariatric surgery and to provide reliability data for a clinical instrument that assesses those eating behaviors. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Adults (552) with extreme obesity (mean +/- standard deviation BMI = 52.4 +/- 10.1 kg/m2) completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (WALI) before undergoing bariatric surgery. The WALI is a self-report instrument that includes 24 items that assess the eating behaviors to which respondents attribute their excess weight. These items were entered into a principal components analysis with promax rotation. Relationships of factor scores to demographic and psychosocial variables were examined. Test-retest reliability data were obtained from a smaller sample (n = 58) of less obese participants (BMI = 34.4 +/- 4.0 kg/m2) who completed the WALI twice within 2 weeks, before beginning a non-surgical weight loss program. RESULTS: The principal components analysis yielded five factors with acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. These included: eating in response to negative affect, eating in response to positive affect and social cues, general overeating and impaired appetite regulation, overeating at early meals, and snacking. Each factor was related to symptoms of binge eating disorder, and every factor except the second one was associated with depressive symptoms. Factor scores were unrelated or weakly associated with demographic characteristics. DISCUSSION: The eating behaviors of persons seeking bariatric surgery can be assessed reliably and parsimoniously with the WALI. The predictive utility of the factors obtained in this study remains to be examined.

Comparison of psychosocial status in treatment-seeking women with class III vs. class I-II obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the psychosocial status and weight loss expectations of women with extreme (class III) obesity who sought bariatric surgery with those of women with class I-II obesity who enrolled in a research study on behavioral weight control. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Before treatment, all participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory. This latter questionnaire assesses several domains including symptoms of depression and low self-esteem, history of psychiatric complications, current stressors, and weight loss expectations. RESULTS: Women with class III obesity, as compared with class I-II, reported significantly more symptoms of depression. Fully 25% of women in the former group appeared to have a significant mood disorder that would benefit from treatment. As compared with women with class I-II obesity, significantly more women with class III obesity also reported a history of psychiatric complications, which included physical and sexual abuse and greater stress related to their physical health and financial/legal matters. Both groups of women had unrealistic weight loss expectations. Those who sought surgery expected to lose 47.6 +/- 9.3% of initial weight, compared with 24.8 +/- 8.7% for those who enrolled in behavioral weight control. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that women with extreme obesity who seek bariatric surgery should be screened for psychosocial complications. Those determined to have significant psychiatric distress should be referred for behavioral or pharmacological treatment to alleviate their suffering. Long-term studies are needed to provide definitive guidance concerning the relationship between preoperative psychopathology and the outcome of bariatric surgery.

Previous weight loss experiences of bariatric surgery candidates: how much have patients dieted prior to surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the dieting histories of bariatric surgery candidates. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One hundred seventy-seven individuals with extreme obesity who sought bariatric surgery completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory, a self-report instrument that assesses several variables, including weight and dieting history. Patients' dieting histories were further explored with an aided recall during a preoperative behavioral/psychological evaluation performed by a mental health professional. RESULTS: Participants who completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory reported an average of 4.7 +/- 2.9 successful dieting attempts, defined as those that resulted in a loss of 10 lbs (4.5 kg) or more. These individuals reported a mean total lifetime weight loss of 61.1 +/- 41.3 kg. Despite these efforts, their weight increased from 89.4 +/- 27.4 kg at the time of their first diet (age 21.2 +/- 10.1 years) to 144.5 +/- 30.8 kg at the time they underwent their behavioral/psychological evaluation (age 43.0 +/- 11.0 years). Results of the aided recall revealed that participants had made numerous other efforts to lose weight that were unsuccessful. Self-directed diets and commercial programs were used more frequently. DISCUSSION: Individuals who sought bariatric surgery reported an extensive history of dieting, beginning in adolescence, that was not successful in halting progressive weight gain. Thus, the recommendation often made by insurance companies that patients delay surgery to attempt more conservative treatment options may be unwarranted, particularly in the presence of significant obesity-related comorbidities. Weight loss histories should be routinely examined during a behavioral evaluation to determine whether additional attempts at non-surgical weight loss are advisable. Future studies also are needed to explore the potential relationship between dieting history and postoperative outcome.

Previous weight loss experiences of bariatric surgery candidates: how much have patients dieted prior to surgery?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the dieting histories of bariatric surgery candidates. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: One hundred seventy-seven individuals with extreme obesity who sought bariatric surgery completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory, a self-report instrument that assesses several variables, including weight and dieting history. Patients' dieting histories were further explored with an aided recall during a preoperative behavioral/psychological evaluation performed by a mental health professional. RESULTS: Participants who completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory reported an average of 4.7 +/- 2.9 successful dieting attempts, defined as those that resulted in a loss of 10 lbs (4.5 kg) or more. These individuals reported a mean total lifetime weight loss of 61.1 +/- 41.3 kg. Despite these efforts, their weight increased from 89.4 +/- 27.4 kg at the time of their first diet (age 21.2 +/- 10.1 years) to 144.5 +/- 30.8 kg at the time they underwent their behavioral/psychological evaluation (age 43.0 +/- 11.0 years). Results of the aided recall revealed that participants had made numerous other efforts to lose weight that were unsuccessful. Self-directed diets and commercial programs were used more frequently. DISCUSSION: Individuals who sought bariatric surgery reported an extensive history of dieting, beginning in adolescence, that was not successful in halting progressive weight gain. Thus, the recommendation often made by insurance companies that patients delay surgery to attempt more conservative treatment options may be unwarranted, particularly in the presence of significant obesity-related comorbidities. Weight loss histories should be routinely examined during a behavioral evaluation to determine whether additional attempts at non-surgical weight loss are advisable. Future studies also are needed to explore the potential relationship between dieting history and postoperative outcome.

Self-reported eating behaviors of extremely obese persons seeking bariatric surgery: a factor analytic approach.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the self-reported eating behaviors of persons seeking bariatric surgery and to provide reliability data for a clinical instrument that assesses those eating behaviors. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Adults (552) with extreme obesity (mean +/- standard deviation BMI = 52.4 +/- 10.1 kg/m(2)) completed the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory (WALI) before undergoing bariatric surgery. The WALI is a self-report instrument that includes 24 items that assess the eating behaviors to which respondents attribute their excess weight. These items were entered into a principal components analysis with promax rotation. Relationships of factor scores to demographic and psychosocial variables were examined. Test-retest reliability data were obtained from a smaller sample (n = 58) of less obese participants (BMI = 34.4 +/- 4.0 kg/m(2)) who completed the WALI twice within 2 weeks, before beginning a non-surgical weight loss program. RESULTS: The principal components analysis yielded five factors with acceptable internal consistency and test-retest reliability. These included: eating in response to negative affect, eating in response to positive affect and social cues, general overeating and impaired appetite regulation, overeating at early meals, and snacking. Each factor was related to symptoms of binge eating disorder, and every factor except the second one was associated with depressive symptoms. Factor scores were unrelated or weakly associated with demographic characteristics. DISCUSSION: The eating behaviors of persons seeking bariatric surgery can be assessed reliably and parsimoniously with the WALI. The predictive utility of the factors obtained in this study remains to be examined.

Comparison of psychosocial status in treatment-seeking women with class III vs. class I-II obesity.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the psychosocial status and weight loss expectations of women with extreme (class III) obesity who sought bariatric surgery with those of women with class I-II obesity who enrolled in a research study on behavioral weight control. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Before treatment, all participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Weight and Lifestyle Inventory. This latter questionnaire assesses several domains including symptoms of depression and low self-esteem, history of psychiatric complications, current stressors, and weight loss expectations. RESULTS: Women with class III obesity, as compared with class I-II, reported significantly more symptoms of depression. Fully 25% of women in the former group appeared to have a significant mood disorder that would benefit from treatment. As compared with women with class I-II obesity, significantly more women with class III obesity also reported a history of psychiatric complications, which included physical and sexual abuse and greater stress related to their physical health and financial/legal matters. Both groups of women had unrealistic weight loss expectations. Those who sought surgery expected to lose 47.6 +/- 9.3% of initial weight, compared with 24.8 +/- 8.7% for those who enrolled in behavioral weight control. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that women with extreme obesity who seek bariatric surgery should be screened for psychosocial complications. Those determined to have significant psychiatric distress should be referred for behavioral or pharmacological treatment to alleviate their suffering. Long-term studies are needed to provide definitive guidance concerning the relationship between preoperative psychopathology and the outcome of bariatric surgery.