Ouellette, A. S., Rodrigue, C., Lemieux, S., Tchernof, A., Biertho, L., & Bégin, C. (2017). An examination of the mechanisms and personality traits underlying food addiction among individuals with severe obesity awaiting bariatric surgery. Eating and Weight Disorders – Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 22
(4), 633-640. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-017-0440-7
From the research article’s abstract: “Purpose: The aetiology underlying addiction has often been investigated to shed more light on the factors contributing to the development and maintenance of various disorders. In the field of addictive eating behaviours, data on the aetiological factors related to food addiction (FA) in the bariatric context remain scarce. The present study aimed to explore mechanisms and variables underlying FA among individuals suffering from severe obesity and awaiting bariatric surgery. Methods: Participants (N = 146) were recruited at the Quebec Heart and Lung Institute during their pre-operative visit and were invited to complete questionnaires. Participants with and without FA were compared on reward sensitivity, impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, and personality traits. Results: Findings showed that bariatric candidates with FA (16%) presented more emotion dysregulation, more harm avoidance, and less self-directedness.