Association between food addiction and body image dissatisfaction in bariatric surgery candidates: A cross-sectional study

Abstract:

Background: In patients preparing for bariatric surgery, the compulsive consumption of palatable and hyperpalatable food may interfere with successful postoperative weight loss, increase the risk of psychological and behavioral complications, and might influence body image perception. The objective of this study was to examine the association between food addiction and body image dissatisfaction among candidates for bariatric surgery.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 124 bariatric surgery candidates evaluated at the Multidisciplinary Outpatient Clinic for Surgical Obesity at the Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná (Curitiba, Brazil) (CAAE: 66687623.9.0000.0096). Food addiction symptoms were assessed using the Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 (mYFAS 2.0), and body image dissatisfaction was measured with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from measured weight and height. Statistical analyses included chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables, and the Mann-Whitney test for numerical comparisons. The association between food addiction and body dissatisfaction was examined via binary logistic regression, adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and race/ethnicity. Model adequacy was confirmed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and variance inflation factor (VIF). Results: The majority of participants were female (n=102; 80%), with a mean age of 40±13 years and a BMI of 46±7 kg/m². Body dissatisfaction was observed in 69% (n=86), and food addiction symptoms in 21% (n=26). Individuals without body dissatisfaction had a lower likelihood of exhibiting food addiction symptoms (OR=0.05; 95% CI: 0.002–0.25; p=0.004), even after adjustment for age, BMI, sex, and race/ethnicity.

Conclusions: The absence of body image dissatisfaction appears to be associated with a lower likelihood of exhibiting food addiction symptoms. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive treatment approach for bariatric surgery candidates that addresses psychological and behavioral factors to support long-term success. Trial registration number: RBR-5yf2zv5

Keywords: food addiction; body dissatisfaction; obesity

Biography:

Bárbara Dal Molin Netto Cervantes holds a degree in Nutrition from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná and a specialization in Clinical Functional Nutrition. She earned her Master’s degree from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) and her PhD from the Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), with a sandwich program at the University of Minnesota, USA. She is an Associate Professor at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) and a permanent faculty member of its Graduate Program in Food and Nutrition. Her research focuses on bariatric surgery, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and headache.