Binge eating following biliopancreatic diversion for obesity.

The prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) was assessed in 68 massively obese patients prior to and following biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) for obesity. The eating behavior and the psychological traits were evaluated by the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire and the Eating Disorder Inventory. Since after BPD the body weight regulation is substantially dependent on intestinal absorption, the individuals operated on have to be considered as absolutely free eaters. In this population, 30 patients were affected by BED and in 24 of them binge eating disappeared spontaneously following BPD, highlighting the main role of preoccupation with food, diet and overweight in causing or in maintaining BED.