The nature of food cravings following weight-loss surgery

Abstract

Despite the rise in obesity in western society, the nature of food cravings in individuals who have undergone weight-loss surgery has been relatively unstudied. This study aimed to provide a detailed analysis of the experience of food craving comparing groups of participants according to a) time post-surgery and b) type of surgical procedure. Two time groups emerged, those who were 3-8 months postsurgery and those who were one year+ post-surgery. In terms of surgical procedure, those having purely restrictive procedures (i. e. gastric band) were compared with those having both restrictive and malabsorptive procedures (i. e. Roux-en-Y). Twenty one participants completed the study (10 3-8 months post-surgery, 11 one year+ post-surgery) of these, 13 had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 8 had a gastric band. All participants completed several questionnaires over a seven-day period. Measures included a food intake dairy, daily questionnaires, food craving records and a background questionnaire. The frequency and intensity of food cravings did not differ significantly between groups but were thought to reflect higher levels than those reported by healthy women in other studies. Antecedents to the craving, target of food craving, situational context, time and interpersonal context did not differ between groups. Differences in the emotional context of craving versus non-craving days were found, some of which interacted with time post-surgery and surgery type. This quasi-prospective study provides preliminary support for the existence of cravings within a group of participants having had weight-loss surgery, which are hunger-reducing experiences, related to negative mood states. It also offers insight into the persistent implication of food cravings in disordered eating symptomology more prevalent within weight-loss surgery groups