title: Psychological predictors of weight loss after bariatric surgery: a review of the recent research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morbid obesity is the fastest growing BMI group in the U.S. and the prevalence of morbid obesity worldwide has never been higher. Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for severe forms of obesity especially with regard to a sustained long-term weight loss. Psychological factors are thought to play an important role for maintaining the surgical weight loss. However, results from prior research examining preoperative psychological predictors of weight loss outcome are inconsistent. The aim of this article was to review more recent literature on psychological predictors of surgical weight loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched PubMed, PsycInfo and Web of Science, for original prospective studies with a sample size >30 and at least one year follow-up, using a combination of search terms such as 'bariatric surgery', 'morbid obesity', 'psychological predictors', and 'weight loss'. Only studies published after 2003 were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  19 eligible studies were identified. Psychological predictors of surgical weight loss investigated in the reviewed studies include cognitive function, personality, psychiatric disorder, and eating behaviour.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, recent research remains inconsistent, but the findings suggest that pre-surgical cognitive function, personality, mental health, composite psychological variables and binge eating may predict post-surgical weight loss to the extent that these factors influence post-operative eating behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: cathrinelawaetz.wimmelmann@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Cathrine L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wimmelmann
authors.affiliation: Systems Biology Research Section, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Flemming
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dela
authors.affiliation: Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Healthy Aging, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Erik L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Mortensen
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D056912:Binge-Eating Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D003710:Demography; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss
keywords: Bariatric surgery; Mental health; Obesity; Psychological predictors; Weight loss