Longitudinal trends in food cravings following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in an adolescent sample

• Published in: Surgery for obesity and related diseases Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 14 - 18
• Main Authors: Cushing, Christopher C., Ph.D, Peugh, James L., Ph.D, Brode, Cassie S., Ph.D, Inge, Thomas H., M.D., Ph.D, Benoit, Stephen C., Ph.D, Zeller, Meg H., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Appetite; Craving; Female; Food; Food cravings; Gastric Bypass; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Humans; Longitudinal data; Male; Obesity, Morbid - psychology; Obesity, Morbid - surgery; Pilot Projects; Postoperative Period; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; Surgery; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; Longitudinal data; Food cravings; Adolescents
• ISSN: 1550-7289; 1878-7533
• DOI: 10.1016/j.soard.2014.05.035

Abstract Background Food cravings are more prevalent and potentially problematic for many individuals with obesity. Initial evidence suggests that bariatric surgery has some short-term beneficial effects on cravings in adults, but little is known about the effect on adolescents or the trajectory beyond 6 months. Methods The purpose of the present study was to determine the longitudinal effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on food cravings in a sample of adolescents with severe obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2 ). Sixteen adolescents were recruited and underwent RYGB. Participants completed the Food Craving Inventory before RYGB, and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively. The present study took place in a single pediatric tertiary care hospital. Results RYGB produced a negative (cravings decreased as time increased) nonlinear trend for total food cravings as well as for each individual subscale (sweets, high fat foods, carbohydrates, fast food) over the 24-month study period. This means that while cravings decrease postsurgically, there is a decline in the slope with the line reaching asymptote at approximately 18 months. BMI change was not a significant predictor of food cravings, but low statistical power may account for this lack of significance. Conclusion These findings provide preliminary evidence that RYGB decreases food cravings in adolescents.