Interrater reliability and internal consistency of the eating disorder examination in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery study.

BACKGROUND: Psychometric studies of eating disorder measures within bariatric surgery populations are limited. OBJECTIVES: To examine the interrater reliability and internal consistency of the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) among patients before and after bariatric surgery. SETTING: Three clinical centers of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Research Consortium. METHODS: The EDE-Bariatric Surgery Version was administered and audio-recorded by trained interviewers before and at annual assessments after bariatric surgery. Approximately 20% of interviews were randomly selected for rating by a second interviewer. Reliability of the original and brief EDE subscales was examined. RESULTS: Interrater reliability of the EDE subscales ranged from .86-.97 for the original subscales and .83-.95 for brief subscales before surgery, and .90-.98 for the original subscales and .92-.97 for brief subscales after bariatric surgery. Interrater agreement (based on kappa) was almost perfect for overeating and binge-eating behaviors and substantial for loss-of-control eating before surgery. Similar interrater agreements (based on kappa) were observed after surgery for subjective overeating and binge-eating episodes. Internal consistency of the subscale and global scores was variable, ranging from .41-.97. CONCLUSION: Findings provide support of the interrater reliability of the EDE, albeit with variable internal consistency, before and after bariatric surgery. Despite support for trained raters to reliably assess EDE constructs, variability in internal consistency suggests that further psychometric testing and rigorous scale development of disordered eating may be needed for the bariatric surgery population.

Reported nutrient intake over 7 years after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 (LABS-3) psychosocial study.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapy for severe obesity. It reduces gastric capacity and may modify regulation of appetite, satiety, insulin, and other physiologic processes, resulting in weight loss. OBJECTIVE: Long-term data on postsurgical nutrient intake are lacking. SETTING: The Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 psychosocial study. METHODS: Reported dietary intake was assessed in a subset of participants (n = 72) of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery-3 psychosocial study who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Two 24-hour diet recalls at presurgery and annual assessments over 7 years were obtained. Reported diets were evaluated for energy, macro- and micronutrient intake, and assessed for adequacy by comparison to the dietary reference intakes. RESULTS: After surgery, reported intake of total energy, and all macronutrients were significantly reduced. At least a quarter of participants reported protein intake below the recommended dietary allowance. Over half of participants reported intake of several vitamins (C, D, A, E, thiamin, folate) and minerals (zinc, calcium) below recommended levels over 7 years. Compared with presurgery, reported energy intake was reduced over 7 years. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as NCT02495142. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in energy resulted in intakes below the dietary reference intakes for many micronutrients among the majority of participants and below the recommended dietary allowance for protein in a substantial subgroup. These data support continued long-term nutrition education, monitoring, and supplementation.

Examining emotion-, personality-, and reward-related dispositional tendencies in relation to eating pathology and weight change over seven years in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) study.

This study examined dispositional emotion-, personality/temperament-, and reward-related variables in relation to post-surgery eating pathology and weight-change among 107 adults who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). As part of a prospective cohort study, annual post-surgical assessments were conducted to evaluate eating pathology, using the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version, and percent weight change from pre-surgery. Dispositional measures were administered at the 6- or 7-year assessment and included the Affect Intensity Measure, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale, Adult Temperament Questionnaire-Effortful Control Scale, and Sensitivity to Punishment/Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire. Results from a series of linear mixed models revealed significant associations of emotion dysregulation, affect intensity, positive and negative urgency, effortful control, and reward sensitivity with eating pathology severity across 7 years; additionally, all but two of the subscales comprising the total scores were also significantly associated. Fewer statistically significant results were found in relation to weight change; emotion dysregulation and affect intensity (along with several subscales) were significantly associated with lower percent weight change (i.e., less weight loss), but of the reward-related and personality/temperament variables, only total effortful control emerged as significant. However, the associations of the other variables with both outcomes were consistently in the expected direction. Associations also appeared consistent across surgical procedures. Taken together, findings suggest that certain dispositional tendencies may relate to less optimal long-term outcomes following bariatric surgery and thus may be useful to assess in pre-surgical or early post-surgical evaluations to inform targeted recommendations.

Adolescent Gastric Banding: a 5-Year Longitudinal Study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is used to treat obesity in adults. Less is known about long-term results of the procedure in adolescents. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate LAGB 5-year outcomes in teenagers with severe obesity. SETTING: Children's hospital, USA. METHODS: Adolescents (14-18 years) underwent LAGB in an FDA-approved observational clinical trial. Outcomes including anthropometric measurements, comorbid conditions, complications, and band retention were collected through 60 months. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven subjects underwent LAGB (94 female, 43 male; 43% white, 37% Hispanic, 17% black; 4% other). Mean age and body mass index (BMI) pre-operatively were 17.0 + 1.2 years and 48.3 + 8.2 kg/m2, respectively. Comorbidities were present in 71%. Maximum weight loss occurred by 36 months (mean % excess weight loss (EWL) 40.6 + 35.2, mean % excess BMI loss (EBMIL) 41.6 + 34.9) and was maintained through 5 years for most subjects. There were no significant differences in weight loss by gender. Twenty-three (18%) of 127 adolescents reporting at 60 months achieved 50% excess weight loss. Postoperative heartburn and emesis occurred in 70% and 32%, respectively. Complications requiring additional surgery occurred 80 times in 63 patients. Thirty-three (26%) of 127 subjects contacted at 5 years had undergone band removal. CONCLUSION: In this study, fewer than 20% of adolescents with severe obesity lost > 50% of their excess weight following LAGB. Nearly 50% of patients required additional surgery. With reports of success following sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, we believe that LAGB is not a preferred choice to treat adolescents with obesity.

The impact of childhood trauma on change in depressive symptoms, eating pathology, and weight after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: History of childhood trauma is associated with increased risk of mental disorders, eating pathology, and obesity. OBJECTIVE: To examine associations between childhood trauma and changes in depressive symptoms, eating pathology, and weight after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB). SETTING: Three U.S. academic medical centers. METHOD: Adults undergoing bariatric surgery (2007-2011) were enrolled in a cohort study. Participants (96 of 114; 86%) completed the Beck Depression Inventory-1 (BDI-1) to assess depressive symptomology, the interviewer-administered Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) to assess subthreshold eating pathology, weight assessment before and 6 months and annually after RYGB for ≥7 years, and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) once post-RYGB. RESULTS: Presurgery, median age was 46 years, and median body mass index was 47 kg/m2; 79% were female. Data completeness across 7-year follow-up was 78% to 90%, 66% to 91%, and 93% to 100% for the BDI-1, EDE, and weight, respectively. Using mixed models, presence/severity of childhood emotional abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect, but not sexual abuse or physical abuse, were significantly associated (P < .05) with change (i.e., less improvement/worsening) in the BDI-1 and EDE global scores, as were higher total CTQ score and more types of moderate-intensity trauma. All CTQ measures were associated (P < .05) with less improvement or worsening in the EDE eating concern and shape concern scores. CTQ measures were not significantly related to weight loss or regain. CONCLUSIONS: Although childhood trauma did not affect weight outcomes after RYGB, those who experienced childhood trauma had less improvement in depressive symptomology and eating pathology and therefore might benefit from clinical intervention.

The relationship between childhood maltreatment and psychopathology in adults undergoing bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: A history of childhood maltreatment and psychopathology are common in adults with obesity. OBJECTIVES: To report childhood maltreatment and to evaluate associations between severity and type of childhood maltreatment and lifetime history of psychopathology among adults with severe obesity awaiting bariatric surgery. SETTING: Four clinical centers of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Research Consortium. METHODS: The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, which assesses presence/severity (i.e., none, mild, moderate, severe) of physical abuse, mental abuse, physical neglect, mental neglect, and sexual abuse, was completed by 302 female and 66 male bariatric surgery patients. Presurgery lifetime history of psychopathology and suicidal ideation/behavior were assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV and the Suicidal Behavioral Questionnaire-Revised, respectively. Presurgery lifetime history of antidepressant use was self-reported. RESULTS: Two thirds (66.6%) of females and 47.0% of males reported at least 1 form of childhood trauma; 42.4% and 24.2%, respectively, at greater than or equal to moderate severity. Among women, presence/greater severity of childhood mental or physical abuse or neglect was associated with a higher risk of history of psychopathology (i.e., major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, other anxiety disorder, alcohol use disorder, binge eating disorder), suicidal ideation/behavior and antidepressant use (P for all ≤ .02). These associations were independent of age, race, education, body mass index, and childhood sexual abuse. Childhood sexual abuse was independently associated with a history of suicidal ideation/behavior and antidepressant use only (P for both ≤ .05). Statistical power was limited to evaluate these associations among men. CONCLUSION: Among women with obesity, presence/severity of childhood trauma was positively associated with relatively common psychiatric disorders.

Mental disorders and weight change in a prospective study of bariatric surgery patients: 7 years of follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Long-term, longitudinal data are limited on mental disorders after bariatric surgery. OBJECTIVE: To report mental disorders through 7 years postsurgery and examine their relationship with changes in weight and health-related quality of life. SETTING: Three U.S. academic medical centers. METHOD: As a substudy of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Consortium, 199 adults completed the structured clinical interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition prior to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band. Participants who completed ≥1 follow-up through 7 years postsurgery are included (n = 173; 86.9%). Mixed models were used to examine mental disorders over time, and among the RYGB subgroup (n = 104), their relationship with long-term (≥4 yr) pre- to postsurgery changes in weight and health-related quality of life, measured with the Short Form-36 Health Survey, and with weight regain from nadir. RESULTS: Compared with presurgery (34.7%), the prevalence of having any mental disorder was significantly lower 4 years (21.3%; P < .01) and 5 years (19.2%; P = .01), but not 7 years (29.1%; P = .27) after RYGB. The most common disorders were not related to long-term weight loss postRYGB. However, independent of weight change, mood and anxiety disorders, both pre- and postRYGB, were significantly related to less improvement in mental (but not physical) health-related quality of life. Having a concurrent mood disorder appeared to be associated with greater weight regain (6.4% of maximum weight lost, 95% confidence interval, -.3 to 13.1), but this was not statistically significant (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery does not result in consistent long-term reductions in mental disorders. Mood disorders may impact long-term outcomes of bariatric surgery.

Eating pathology and associations with long-term changes in weight and quality of life in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the course of eating pathology and its associations with change in weight and health-related quality of life following bariatric surgery. METHOD: Participants (N = 184) completed the eating disorder examination-bariatric surgery version (EDE-BSV) and the medical outcomes study 36-Item short form health survey (SF-36) prior to and annually following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) for up to 7 years. RESULTS: The prevalence of ≥ weekly loss of control (LOC) eating, picking/nibbling, and cravings declined post-RYGB and remained lower through 7 years (LOC: 5.4% at Year-7 vs. 16.2% pre-RYGB, p = .03; picking/nibbling: 7.0% vs. 32.4%, p < .001; and cravings: 19.4% vs. 33.6%, p = .02). The prevalence of picking/nibbling was significantly lower 7 years following LAGB vs. pre-LAGB (29.4% vs 45.8%, p = .049), while cravings (p = .13) and LOC eating (p = .95) were not. EDE-BSV global score and ratings of hunger and enjoyment of eating were lower 7 years following both RYGB and LAGB versus pre-surgery (p's for all <.05). LOC eating following RYGB was associated with less long-term weight loss from surgery (p < .01) and greater weight regain from weight nadir (p < .001). Higher post-surgery EDE-BSV global score was associated with less weight loss/greater regain (both p < .001) and worsening/less improvement from surgery in the SF-36 mental component summary scores (p < .01). DISCUSSION: Initial improvements in eating pathology following RYGB and LAGB were sustained across 7 years of follow-up. Individuals with eating pathology post-RYGB, reflected by LOC eating and/or higher EDE-BSV global score, may be at risk for suboptimal long-term outcomes.

Surgery-related gastrointestinal symptoms in a prospective study of bariatric surgery patients: 3-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Having accurate information on bariatric surgery-related gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is critical for patient care. OBJECTIVE: To report on surgery-related GI symptoms over the first 3 years following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric band. SETTING: Three academic medical centers in the United States. METHODS: As a substudy of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Consortium, 183 participants (pre-surgery median body mass index = 45.1 kg/m2; median age = 46 yr; 83.1% female). completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version interview at≥1 annual assessment. Patients self-reported frequency of dysphagia, dumping syndrome, and spontaneous vomiting. RESULTS: Prevalence of dysphagia at least once weekly decreased post-laparoscopic adjustable gastric band surgery from 43.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32.2-55.6) in year 1 to 27.5% (95% CI, 15.2-39.9) in year 3 (P = .02). Dysphagia and dumping at least once weekly also appeared to decrease in years 1-3 post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (i.e., from 16.7% [95% CI, 9.4-24.1] to 10.9% [95% CI, 4.0-17.8] and from 9.9% [95% CI, 4.3-15.5] to 6.3% [95% CI, 1.7-10.9], respectively), but power was limited to evaluate trends. Vomiting at least once weekly was rare (<6%) in years 1-3 following both procedures. Controlling for potential confounders and surgical procedure, loss of control eating at least once weekly was associated with higher risk of at least once weekly dysphagia (relative risk = 2.01, 95% CI, 1.36-2.99, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of bariatric surgery-related GI symptoms appears to decrease across follow-up. Symptoms were associated with loss of control eating, suggesting a target for clinical intervention.

Eating pathology and experience and weight loss in a prospective study of bariatric surgery patients: 3-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: Bariatric surgery results in significant long-term weight loss, albeit with considerable variability. This study examines the prognostic significance of eating pathology as determined by a structured interview, the Eating Disorder Examination-Bariatric Surgery Version (EDE-BSV). METHOD: Participants (N = 183) in this substudy of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) Research Consortium were assessed using the EDE-BSV, independent of clinical care, presurgery and annually postsurgery. We examined eating pathology and experiences at several frequency thresholds (present, ≥ monthly, ≥ weekly) over 3 years, and utilized mixed models to test their associations with percentage weight loss from baseline at years 1, 2, and 3. RESULTS: The prevalence of several forms of eating pathology declined pre- to 1-year postsurgery, including ≥weekly objective bulimic episodes (11.6-1.3%), loss of control (LOC) eating (18.3-6.2%) and picking/nibbling (36.0-20.2%) (P for all <0.01), and regular evening hyperphagia (16.5-5.0%, P = 0.01), but not cravings (P = 0.93). Mean EDE global score, and hunger and enjoyment scores, also declined (P for all <0.01). These metrics remained lower than baseline through year-3 (P for all <0.01). Presurgery eating variables were not related to weight loss (P for all ≥0.05). However, postsurgery higher EDE global score and greater hunger were independently associated with less weight loss postsurgery (P for both ≤0.01), while cravings were associated with greater weight loss (P = 0.03). DISCUSSION: Pathological eating behaviors and experiences are common presurgery and improve markedly following surgery. Postsurgery pathological eating-related experiences and attitudes and hunger may contribute to suboptimal weight loss. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:1058-1067).

Psychiatric Disorders and Weight Change in a Prospective Study of Bariatric Surgery Patients: A 3-Year Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVES: To document changes in Axis I psychiatric disorders after bariatric surgery and examine their relationship with postsurgery weight loss. METHODS: As part of a three-site substudy of the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Research Consortium, 199 patients completed the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV before Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or laparoscopic adjustable gastric band. At 2 or 3 years after surgery, 165 (83%) patients completed a follow-up assessment (presurgery median body mass index = 44.8 kg/m, median age = 46 years, 92.7% white, 81.1% female). Linear-mixed modeling was used to test change in prevalence of psychiatric disorders over time, report remission and incidence, and examine associations between psychiatric disorders and weight loss. RESULTS: Compared with status presurgery, the prevalence of any Axis I psychiatric disorder was significantly lower at 2 and 3 years after surgery (30.2% versus 16.8% [p = .003] and 18.4% [p = .012], respectively). Adjusting for site, age, sex, race, presurgery body mass index, and surgical procedure, presurgery mood, anxiety, eating or substance use disorders (lifetime or current) were not related to weight change, nor were postsurgery mood or anxiety disorders (p for all > .05). However, having a postsurgery eating disorder was independently associated with less weight loss at 2 or 3 years (ß = 6.7%, p = .035). CONCLUSIONS: Bariatric surgery was associated with decreases in psychiatric disorders through 3 years after surgery. Postsurgical eating disorders were associated with less weight loss after surgery, adding to the literature suggesting that disordered eating after surgery is related to suboptimal weight loss.

Suicidal Ideation and Behaviours Among Adolescents Receiving Bariatric Surgery: A Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and behaviour (SI/B) among adolescents receiving bariatric surgery. METHOD: Charts of 206 adolescents receiving bariatric surgery were reviewed. Cases with SI/B (current/lifetime reported at baseline or event occurring in the programme n = 31, 15%) were case matched on gender, age and surgery type to 31 adolescents reporting current or past psychiatric treatment and 31 adolescents denying lifetime SI/B or psychiatric treatment. RESULTS: Before surgery, adolescents with SI/B reported significantly lower total levels of health-related quality of life (p = 0.01) and greater depressive symptoms (p = 0.004) in comparison with candidates who never received psychiatric treatment. No significant differences were found between groups for the change in depressive symptoms or body mass index following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As in studies of adults, a notable subset of adolescents receiving bariatric surgery indicated pre-operative or post-operative SI/B. It is critical that clinicians evaluate and monitor adolescent patients undergoing bariatric surgery for risk of SI/B.

Adolescent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB): prospective results in 137 patients followed for 3 years.

BACKGROUND: Evidence supports weight loss surgery as an effective long-term weight reduction therapy in adults. METHODS: Few adolescent obesity surgery series report outcomes for laparoscopic gastric banding (LAGB). We studied a population of morbidly obese teenagers who underwent LAGB to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in this age group. Three hundred and six morbidly obese adolescent candidates for LAGB were screened. Enrollees were evaluated monthly by the nutritionist and the surgical team to monitor compliance with recommended changes in diet and exercise. Patients also underwent psychiatric and endocrine evaluations. Those who made good changes in eating and exercise habits over a 6-month period were offered LAGB. The setting was a university hospital in the United States. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-seven adolescent patients underwent LAGB. The mean weight gain between enrollment and LAGB was 4.7 kg. Mean preoperative weight, body mass index (BMI), and excess BMI were 136.1 kg, 48.3 kg/m2, and 23.6 kg/m2, respectively. Mean BMI at 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months was 43.8, 41.6, 41.5, 40.5, and 39.3. Excess BMI loss was 28.4%, 35.9%, and 41.1% at 1, 2, and 3 years postop. Co-morbid conditions improved or resolved with weight loss after LAGB. Thirty patients (22%) underwent one or more additional operations for complications. Twenty-seven patients (20%) converted to other weight loss procedures or had their bands removed. CONCLUSION: LAGB is a safe weight loss operation in adolescents. Morbidly obese adolescents can lose weight successfully and experience health improvement following LAGB, but the role of LAGB in the younger population requires long-term evaluation.

Predictors and correlates of follow-up visit adherence among adolescents receiving laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: Adherence behaviors have not been examined among adolescents undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). In addition, studies of youth receiving bariatric surgery have not considered the influence of psychopathology on postoperative adherence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate predictors and correlates of adherence to post-surgery visits among a sample of adolescents undergoing LAGB. METHODS: Postoperative visits with surgical staff were analyzed over the 2 years after surgery (n = 101 adolescents). Growth mixture modeling examined trends in adherence. RESULTS: A 3-class solution provided the best fit to the data. The classes from the final model were characterized by class 1 (61.6%) demonstrating high levels of adherence over the 24 months after LAGB, class 2 (28.5%) showing a more gradual decline in adherence, and class 3 (9.9%) with an accelerated decline in adherence. Higher levels of preoperative depressive symptoms and more preoperative episodes of loss of control overeating decreased the likelihood of adherence. Class 3 adolescents had significantly higher estimated 24-month body mass indices than classes 1 or 2. CONCLUSION: Variable patterns of follow-up visit adherence were identified among adolescents receiving LAGB, which were predicted by depressive symptoms and loss of control overeating. The trajectory characterized by a rapid decline in adherence to follow-up visits was also associated with less weight loss.

Course of depressive symptoms and treatment in the longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery (LABS-2) study.

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in depressive symptoms and treatment in the first 3 years following bariatric surgery. METHODS: The longitudinal assessment of bariatric surgery-2 (LABS-2) is an observational cohort study of adults (n = 2,458) who underwent a bariatric surgical procedure at 1 of 10 US hospitals between 2006 and 2009. This study includes 2,148 participants who completed the Beck depression inventory (BDI) at baseline and ≥ one follow-up visit in years 1-3. RESULTS: At baseline, 40.4% self-reported treatment for depression. At least mild depressive symptoms (BDI score ≥ 10) were reported by 28.3%; moderate (BDI score 19-29) and severe (BDI score ≥30) symptoms were uncommon (4.2 and 0.5%, respectively). Mild-to-severe depressive symptoms independently increased the odds (OR = 1.75; P = 0.03) of a major adverse event within 30 days of surgery. Compared with baseline, symptom severity was significantly lower at all follow-up time points (e.g., mild-to-severe symptomatology was 8.9%, 6 months; 8.4%, 1year; 12.2%, 2 years; 15.6%, 3 years; ps < 0.001), but increased between 1 and 3 years postoperatively (P < 0.01). Change in depressive symptoms was significantly related to change in body mass index (r = 0.42; P < 0001). CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery has a positive impact on depressive features. However, data suggest some deterioration in improvement after the first postoperative year. LABS-2, #NCT00465829, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00465829.

Mental Health Evaluations for Adolescents Prior to Bariatric Surgery: A Review of Existing Practices and a Specific Example of Assessment Procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Best practice guidelines for adolescents considering bariatric surgery recommend a pre-operative mental health evaluation. However, only general information about these assessments appears in the literature, which makes consistency of administration challenging. This review proposes a specific empirically-derived format for pre-surgical mental health evaluations and summarizes currently available data on the psychiatric functioning of adolescents seeking bariatric surgery. DESIGN: Studies of mental health evaluations for adults preparing for bariatric surgery are reviewed, as is the limited literature relevant to adolescent evaluations. A specific and detailed example of an evaluation (clinical interview, self-report questionnaires, cognitive assessment) used for younger patients at a major metropolitan hospital center is presented, followed by data from an initial group of adolescents completing this evaluation. SUBJECTS: 200 adolescents (n=139 female; age: 14-18 y, BMI: 35.4-83.3 kg/m2) presenting for bariatric surgery. RESULTS: A notable subset of adolescents reported current Axis I conditions (31.5%) and current mental health treatment (29.5%), but reports of current illicit drug use (1.5%) and regular alcohol use (0.5%) were relatively rare. Procedures for using the completed evaluation and post-surgery monitoring of psychosocial issues are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents considering weight loss surgery should receive comprehensive pre-surgical mental health evaluations, but additional data are needed to develop specific recommendations the use of these evaluations in post-operative care.

Hormonal responses and test meal intake among obese teenagers before and after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: Relatively little is known about changes in eating behavior or hormonal responses to food after bariatric surgery in adolescents. OBJECTIVE: This study compared eating behavior and hormones among adolescents in a bariatric surgery program with those in nonoverweight control adolescents and evaluated changes before and after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). DESIGN: Fasting leptin, peptide YY (PYY), and ghrelin concentrations were obtained, and postprandial ghrelin and PYY area under the curve (AUC) were assessed after a single-item breakfast. Intake from an ad libitum lunchtime multi-item meal was measured. RESULTS: Compared with controls (n = 9), all presurgical candidates (n = 20) had significantly greater fasting leptin, lower fasting ghrelin, and lower AUC ghrelin but similar PYY and AUC PYY. Preoperative candidates did not differ from controls in total energy consumed during the test meal. Postoperatively, among the 11 participants with data both before and after surgery, BMI (in kg/m(2)) decreased by 3.5 (P < 0.001), significantly less energy was consumed in the test meal, and a smaller number of foods were selected. AUC ghrelin and PYY did not significantly change before or after LAGB. CONCLUSIONS: Few significant short-term changes were observed in appetitive hormones after LAGB. It is unclear whether objective measures of eating behavior will prove useful in evaluating the impact of bariatric surgery on outcomes. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as CT00764127.

School and cognitive functioning problems in adolescent bariatric surgery candidates.

BACKGROUND: Prior studies have reported that students with overweight and obesity have impairments in performance IQ and executive function and worse school functioning in comparison with peers of normal weight. The present study assessed school and cognitive functioning in a sample of adolescents with severe obesity being evaluated for laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. METHODS: Eligible candidates for bariatric surgery were referred for psychiatric evaluation, which included a semistructured clinical interview measuring school functioning and the vocabulary and matrix reasoning subtests of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). RESULTS: Self-reported school problems were common, with 55.5% of adolescents failing a grade or subject, 38.7% attending summer school, and 17.8% failing a citywide examination. A significant relationship was observed between body mass index, estimated WASI IQ (r = -.250; P = .005), and the vocabulary subtest (r = -.241; P = .006), but not matrix reasoning (r = -.126; P = NS). CONCLUSION: Even among a sample of adolescents with severe obesity, increased body mass index was associated with lower WASI IQ and vocabulary subtest scores. Increasing awareness of potential cognitive and school problems in bariatric candidates among teachers, school counselors, and other mental health providers is an important first step to improving academic support and educational systems deficiencies for students with overweight and obesity.

Race/ethnicity, education, and treatment parameters as moderators and predictors of outcome in binge eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Binge eating disorder (BED) is prevalent among individuals from minority racial/ethnic groups and among individuals with lower levels of education, yet the efficacy of psychosocial treatments for these groups has not been examined in adequately powered analyses. This study investigated the relative variance in treatment retention and posttreatment symptom levels accounted for by demographic, clinical, and treatment variables as moderators and predictors of outcome. METHOD: Data were aggregated from 11 randomized, controlled trials of psychosocial treatments for BED conducted at treatment sites across the United States. Participants were N = 1,073 individuals meeting criteria for BED including n = 946 Caucasian, n = 79 African American, and n = 48 Hispanic/Latino participants. Approximately 86% had some higher education; 85% were female. Multilevel regression analyses examined moderators and predictors of treatment retention, Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) global score, frequency of objective bulimic episodes (OBEs), and OBE remission. RESULTS: Moderator analyses of race/ethnicity and education were nonsignificant. Predictor analyses revealed African Americans were more likely to drop out of treatment than Caucasians, and lower level of education predicted greater posttreatment OBEs. African Americans showed a small but significantly greater reduction in EDE global score relative to Caucasians. Self-help treatment administered in a group showed negative outcomes relative to other treatment types, and longer treatment was associated with better outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Observed lower treatment retention among African Americans and lesser treatment effects for individuals with lower levels of educational attainment are serious issues requiring attention. Reduced benefit was observed for shorter treatment length and self-help administered in groups.

Bariatric surgery patients exhibit improved memory function 12 months postoperatively.

BACKGROUND: Previous work from our group demonstrated improved memory function in bariatric surgery patients at 12 weeks postoperatively relative to controls. However, no study has examined longer-term changes in cognitive functioning following bariatric surgery. METHODS: A total of 137 individuals (95 bariatric surgery patients and 42 obese controls) were followed prospectively to determine whether postsurgery cognitive improvements persist. Potential mechanisms of change were also examined. Bariatric surgery participants completed self-report measurements and a computerized cognitive test battery prior to surgery and at 12-week and 12-month follow-up; obese controls completed measures at equivalent time points. RESULTS: Bariatric surgery patients exhibited cognitive deficits relative to well-established standardized normative data prior to surgery, and obese controls demonstrated similar deficits. Analyses of longitudinal change indicated an interactive effect on memory indices, with bariatric surgery patients demonstrating better performance postoperatively than obese controls. CONCLUSIONS: While memory performance was improved 12 months postbariatric surgery, the mechanisms underlying these improvements were unclear and did not appear attributable to obvious postsurgical changes, such as reductions in body mass index or comorbid medical conditions. Future studies employing neuroimaging, metabolic biomarkers, and more precise physiological measurements are needed to determine the mechanisms underlying memory improvements following bariatric surgery.