Memory function, weight loss and eating disorder psychopathology in bariatric surgery patients: A 5-year follow up study.

Background: Obesity increases risk of several diseases and cognitive deficits. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe obesity, leading to substantial weight loss and memory improvements. This study examines memory, weight loss, and pathological eating behaviors five years postoperatively in a sample of Norwegian bariatric surgery patients.

Methods: Memory, eating behaviors and comorbidity were assessed in 33 bariatric surgery patients (70% female, mean age 41.6 years) at baseline and 5-years after surgery. Self-report measures and standardized tests were used.

Results: Patients showed a mean weight loss of 25.7% (SD = 10.6) 5 years following surgery, and significant improvement in verbal long-term memory. Weight loss correlated negatively with binge eating at 5-year follow up, but not grazing. Baseline memory was the only significant predictor of 5-year memory function, accounting for 62 % of the variance.

Discussion: Finding suggest that bariatric surgery have long lasting impact on long term verbal memory. Binge eating was associated with less weight loss, while grazing had no significant impact. Regular monitoring of binge eating could be useful to identify patients in need of extended postoperative treatment and support.