Addictive personality and maladaptive eating behaviors in adults seeking bariatric surgery

Eat Behav. 2012 Jan;13(1):67-70. doi: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2011.10.006. Epub 2011 Oct 20.

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between addictive personality and maladaptive eating behaviors in bariatric surgery candidates. Ninety-seven bariatric surgery candidates completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ-R) Addiction Scale, the Overeating Questionnaire (OQ), binge-eating questions from the Questionnaire of Eating and Weight Patterns (QEWP-R), and the Eating Attitudes and Behaviors Questionnaire. Participants with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) displayed addictive personality scores comparable to individuals addicted to substances (M=17.5, SD=5.3). Addictive personality was associated with Overeating (r=.45, p<.001), Cravings (r=.31, p=.005), Affective Disturbances (r=.62, p<.001) and Social Isolation (r=.53, p<.001). Addictive personality was associated with maladaptive eating behaviors, suggesting the potential for addictive eating.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Bariatric Surgery / psychology*
  • Behavior, Addictive / complications*
  • Behavior, Addictive / psychology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Eating / psychology*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / complications*
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperphagia / complications
  • Hyperphagia / psychology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / psychology
  • Personality