Binge eating and exercise behavior after surgery for severe obesity: A structural equation model

Objective: The current study sought to find indications for the appropriateness of a model in which eating patterns and exercise beliefs influence binge eating and physical exercise, respectively, that, in turn, influence outcome after gastric banding for severe obesity. Method: Participants were 157 patients (144 females, 13 males) who completed questionnaires approximately 34 months (range = 8-68 months) after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Results: Our data showed a well-fitting model in which external and emotional eating were associated with outcome through binge eating. Several exercise beliefs were associated with physical exercise, but physical exercise was not associated with weight loss or physical health. Conclusion: Binge eating was related more strongly to the outcome after gastric banding than physical exercise. Future research should examine whether a strong focus on the management of binge eating and external and emotional eating could improve the outcome of morbidly obese patients with unsuccessful weight outcome after obesity surgery. (c) 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.