Assessment of Appetite Control and Food Craving Status of Individuals after Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

Aim: This study was planned to assess appetite control and food craving status of individuals who had bariatric surgery.

Subjects and Method: This study enrolled 400 individuals who had bariatric surgery. Socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, bariatric surgery knowledge and experiences of individuals were examined. Food Craving Questionnaire (FCQ) and Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ) were used.

Results: 334 females (83.5%) and 66 males (16.5%) with a mean age of 37.6 ± 8.6 years participated in the study. The mean body mass index (BMI) of female and male participants was 28.6±5.9 kg/m2 and 29.6±6.1 kg/m2, respectively. Primary goal of weight loss was being healthy in 63.2% of participants. Sleeve Gastrectomy was the choice of bariatric surgery in 87.8% of the participants and mean post-operative duration was 20.0±17.3 months. According to gender, the frequency of using slimming teas/powders/medications before surgery, disease status and the aim of weight loss were significantly different between males and females (p<0.05). EMAQ negative total score was positively associated with body weight (r=0.131, p=0.009) and frequency of meal consumption (r=0.160, p=0.001), however, it was negatively associated with physical activity performing days (r=0.264, p=0.000). In addition, there was a positive correlation between total FCQ scores and EMAQ negative total scores (r=0.448, p=0.000).

Conclusion: The understanding of the relationship between bariatric surgery and appetite control is important for these patients for the achievement of their appetite control and prevention of weight gain in the following years.