Contributing Roles of Depression, Anxiety, and Impulsivity Dimensions in Eating Behaviors Styles in Obese Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery

Abstract BackgroundEven if bariatric surgery appears as the most effective therapeutic approach, it is not equally successful across individuals suffering from obesity. Among the factors that influence postsurgical outcomes, eating behaviors are known to play a key role in relapses. The aim of our study was to assess eating behaviors styles and several modulating psychopathological factors in patients suffering from obesity.MethodsPatients seeking bariatric surgery (N = 127) completed a set of standardized tools assessing eating behaviors (DEBQ), psychiatric comorbid conditions (MINI), mood (BDI-13, STAI), and impulsivity (UPPS-P).ResultsWe found significant correlations between DEBQ Emotional Eating (EmoE) and depression, state and trait anxiety and all dimensions of impulsivity. Significant correlations also occurred between DEBQ External Eating (ExtE) and depression, state and trait anxiety and UPPS-P positive urgency, lack of perseverance and sensation seeking. Regression analyses showed female gender, trait anxiety, and lack of perseverance as explanatory factors in EmoE, and depression severity score and positive urgency in ExtE.ConclusionsEmoE might be a means of dealing with negative emotions and/or intrusive thoughts, while ExtE may result from a mechanism associated with depression. These results may help to improve patients’ outcome by defining specific therapeutic targets in psychological interventions.