A Framework of Food Cravings and Weight Loss after Bariatric Surgery: Application of the Cognitive Processing Model

Abstract

Obesity continues to be a significant public health issue. As the rates of obesity continue to rise, so in turn does the rate of weight loss surgery. While surgery is proven to achieve significant and long-term weight loss, not all patients sustain this weight loss. The causes for relapse are variable, and there have been no consistent findings in the literature to suggest specific causes for this recidivism. This paper seeks to explore a theoretical framework and apply research from the cravings and addiction field to suggest a potential future area of study in which cravings and binge eating may be worthwhile for study in patients to identify patterns of susceptibility to weight regain after weight loss surgery. It is proposed that cognitive processing theory of craving will improve prediction of the successful treatment of obesity through bariatric surgery, using models that have been studied in the drug and alcohol abuse population.