Judgment Towards Emotions As a Mediator of the Relationship Between Emotional Eating and Depression Symptoms in Bariatric Surgery Candidates

Abstract Purpose: Emotional eating is common in bariatric surgery candidates, and often is associated with depression and poorer weight loss outcomes following surgery. However, less is known about other modifiable risk factors that may link depression and emotional eating. The aim of the current study was to examine facets of mindfulness as potential mediators of the relationship between emotional eating and depression severity in bariatric surgery candidates. Methods: Bariatric surgery candidates (n=743) were referred by their surgeons for a comprehensive psychiatric presurgical evaluation that included self-report questionnaires assessing depression severity, emotional overeating, and facets of mindfulness. Mediation effects were examined for each mindfulness facet based on prior research. Results: Only the nonjudging mindfulness facet significantly mediated the relationship between emotional eating and depression, suggesting that greater emotional eating may be associated with greater depression severity through higher levels of judgement towards thoughts and emotions. A reverse mediation analysis showed that depression severity was not a significant mediator of the relationship between nonjudging and emotional eating. Conclusion: Fostering a nonjudgmental stance towards thoughts and feelings may be helpful in improving eating habits that would support greater postsurgical success. Other clinical and research implications are discussed.Level of Evidence: Level V, descriptive study