Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors Research Articles

Psychological Impact of Eating Disorders- A Comprehensive Review

Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental health conditions characterized by dysfunctional eating behaviors and cognitions, significantly impacting psychological well-being. This comprehensive review explores the psychological impact of eating disorders, focusing on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. The review synthesizes current literature on the prevalence, risk factors, comorbidities, and psychological consequences of EDs. Key psychological impacts discussed include anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, body dysmorphia, and impaired social functioning. The review also examines therapeutic interventions and their efficacy in addressing these psychological issues. By highlighting the complex interplay between EDs and psychological health, this paper aims to inform clinical practice and future research directions.

Bidirectional Relationships between Eating Disorders and Type 1 and 2 Diabetes: A Scoping Review

Eating disorders (ED) represent complex conditions with multifactorial etiopathogenesis. Recent scientific findings suggest that diabetes, a chronic disease profoundly influencing eating habits, could significantly contribute to the risk of developing ED. Both type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) patients are identified as susceptible to developing binge eating disorder (BED) and other dysfunctional eating behaviors, such as diabulimia, a condition not yet officially recognized by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Diabulimia is characterized by a deliberate choice to omit or limit necessary insulin doses, with the aim of losing weight or limiting weight gain. This scoping review aims to consolidate the latest evidence on the bidirectional relationship between ED and diabetes, as well as their impact on patients’ quality of life. The findings from various studies reveal varied prevalence estimates, as diabetic patients often do not meet the formal diagnostic criteria for ED. Nonetheless, having diabetes appears to increase the risk of developing dysfunctional eating patterns. Simultaneously, the presence of an ED may heighten the risk of developing T2DM. Given this bidirectional relationship between ED and diabetes, this evidence underscores the importance for healthcare professionals, particularly those in diabetes care, to implement screening programs aimed at preventing and/or treating ED. Such initiatives could significantly improve patient outcome and quality of life.

Eating behavior in patients with metabolically associated fatty liver disease

The purpose of this study was to study the phenotypes of eating behavior in patients with NAFLD and their determining factors. Discussion: fatty liver disease has a high prevalence (24-26%) with an upward trend in both developed and developing countries, and in the coming years may become one of the main causes of liver transplantation. The clinical features of the disease are in most cases its asymptomatic course, which can progress to fibrosis/cirrhosis and is associated with the risk of a number of serious extrahepatic diseases (cardiovascular, oncological and others). The mechanisms underlying the formation of increased health risks and disease prognosis are multifactorial. Metabolic disorders, orthorexia nervosa, eating disorders and vegetative effects are considered as possible pathogenetic mechanisms for increasing the risk of NAFLD incidence. Conclusion: the study showed that complex behavioral psycho-social factors are involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, and changing eating behavior is an important component of therapy. Dysfunctional eating behavior can be a barrier to long-term success from therapy.

Eating behavior in patients with metabolically associated fatty liver disease

The purpose of this study was to study the phenotypes of eating behavior in patients with NAFLD and their determining factors. Discussion: fatty liver disease has a high prevalence (24-26%) with an upward trend in both developed and developing countries, and in the coming years may become one of the main causes of liver transplantation. The clinical features of the disease are in most cases its asymptomatic course, which can progress to fibrosis/cirrhosis and is associated with the risk of a number of serious extrahepatic diseases (cardiovascular, oncological and others). The mechanisms underlying the formation of increased health risks and disease prognosis are multifactorial. Metabolic disorders, orthorexia nervosa, eating disorders and vegetative effects are considered as possible pathogenetic mechanisms for increasing the risk of NAFLD incidence. Conclusion: the study showed that complex behavioral psycho-social factors are involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, and changing eating behavior is an important component of therapy. Dysfunctional eating behavior can be a barrier to long-term success from therapy.

Factors associated with grazing behavior in candidates for bariatric surgery at a hospital in the Amazon.

To assess grazing behavior and associated factors in candidates for bariatric surgery monitored at a public hospital that is a reference in the care of people with severe obesity. Cross-sectional analytical study, with candidates for bariatric surgery of both genders, treated in a public hospital in the Amazon. To assess grazing behavior, the Repetitive Eating Questionnaire was used, and to investigate patterns of eating behavior, the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire was used, which assesses: Emotional Eating, Cognitive Restriction and Uncontrolled Eating. Sociodemographic information was obtained through self-report and the description of medication use through the medical record. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated by measuring weight and height. The SPSS program, v. 21.0 was used. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee. A total of 205 participants were evaluated, with a mean age of 37.5 ± 8.6 years, the majority (93.7%) being women and the majority (59.5%) was not also using medication to lose weight. About 66.3% of the participants had compulsive grazing. The factor with the highest score was cognitive restriction (p < 0.001). Individuals who used weight loss drugs had higher scores in the cognitive restriction factor (p = 0.015) and lower scores for uncontrolled eating (p = 0.008), compulsive grazing (p = 0.021) and non-compulsive grazing (p = 0.034). Linear regression showed that emotional eating and uncontrolled eating were predictors of both compulsive grazing and non-compulsive grazing behavior. It was observed that grazing behavior, cognitive restriction, emotional eating and uncontrolled eating are present and correlated in the studied patients. In addition, the use of weight loss drugs seems to help reduce dysfunctional eating behaviors in patients with severe obesity.

Pelatihan Pola Makan Sehat Keluarga kepada Komunitas Theresia Lisieux, Apartemen Mediterania 1, Jakarta Barat, Kelurahan Tanjung Duren, Kecamatan Grogol Petamburan, Jakarta Barat

The COVID-19 pandemic poses the challenge ofining a healthy and varied diet and regular physical activity. This is because people prefer to buy processed foods, such as snacks, fast food, and ready-to-eat cereals, which tend to be high in fat, sugar, and salt. In addition, psychological and emotional responses to the outbreak of COVID-19 can increase the risk of developing dysfunctional eating behavior. The choice of foods and how often they are eaten can affect the health of the body, teeth, and gums. Excessive consumption of sugar-containing soda, fruit drinks with added sugar, or low-nutritional snacks can increase the risk of teeth hole. Therefore, a community service program (PkM) was designed with the aim of providing education and training to the community to gain knowledge about diet and improve health. The development and training of a healthy diet to the Lisiuex Apartment Meditarenia 1 West Jakarta community was conducted online, illustrating the improvement of the participants' knowledge and yielding good results. Sustainable education and training programmes are needed as a means of improving the development of health that starts with the family.

Additional Validation of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) Eating Concerns Scale.

Maladaptive eating behaviors are typically associated with significant impairment in psychological functioning more broadly. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) family of instruments has traditionally been the most frequently used psychological assessment of psychopathology by clinical psychologists. The most recent version, the MMPI-3, features a new Eating Concerns (EAT) scale that screens for the presence of problematic eating behaviors. The goals of the current study were (a) to independently replicate validity correlations reported from the college sample during EAT scale development, (b) to evaluate the utility of EAT scale item-level correlations with other substantive MMPI-3 scales, and (c) to evaluate the ability of the EAT items to predict specific frequency counts of dysfunctional eating behaviors. The current study examined the MMPI-3 assessment of dysfunctional eating behaviors among 188 undergraduate participants. Results indicated that the EAT scale is meaningfully associated with core symptom dimensions of maladaptive eating, including binging, vomiting, restricting, and concerns about weight and shape. In addition, this study identified meaningfully distinct patterns of correlations with personality and psychopathology constructs, and specific behavioral frequencies, across the five individual EAT scale items. These results contribute to the enhanced utility of this important screening scale in clinical settings.

Psychopathological factors and personality dimensions on dysfunctional eating behaviors in a sample of individuals with obesity.

Obesity and eating disorders are considered to be part of a broad spectrum of disorders associated with weight issues and maladaptive eating styles. Several studies show that psychopathological and personality characteristics contribute to the development and maintenance of obesity and dysfunctional eating behaviors, showing a bidirectional relationship. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of psychopathological factors and personality dimensions on dysfunctional eating behaviors in a sample of individuals with obesity. The study was conducted with 96 individuals with obesity (31 males and 65 females) who underwent psychological assessment. The instruments administered included the Cognitive Behavioral Assessment 2.0 - Primary Scales, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2, and the Eating Disorder Inventory. Relationships between dysfunctional eating behaviors and personality and psychopathological factors were explored through mediation analysis. Our results showed that difficulties related to impulse control and behavior, along with negative and dysphoric emotions, may be associated with difficulties in eating behavior. Mediation analysis showed that the combination of depressive and obsessive-compulsive symptomatology may exacerbate or contribute to the occurrence of eating disorders. These psychopathological aspects should be taken into account during the assessment of patients who decide to undergo bariatric surgery and should be targets of specific psychological interventions.

O.4.5-6 Psychosocial approach of dysfunctional eating attitude and behaviors in endurance sport: comparison of competitive and practice periods

Abstract Purpose Most of the determinants of the dysfunctional eating attitude and behaviors (DEAB) mentioned so far have been reported in aesthetic sports or weight categories and may therefore not be representative of all endurance athletes. Moreover, to our knowledge, very few studies have focused on the evolutionary nature of these variables during a sports season. The objective of this research was to identify the triggers of the implementation of inappropriate behaviors for the health and performance of endurance athletes. Methods The sample consisted of 14 French female athletes aged 18 or over who practiced an endurance sport more than 12 hours a week for more than 5 years. All athletes were at the national or international level. For one year, participants answered online questionnaires through an Athlete Management System. They were followed daily on the sports period, weekly on self-regulation of eating attitude in sport, and self-perceptions and quarterly on psychosocial parameters related to DEAB. Results The ANOVA performed showed that anxiety levels were higher and resilience levels lower in athletes with DEAB compared to other athletes, and anxiety levels tended to increase during competitive periods only in athletes with DEAB. On the other hand, the level of resilience of athletes does not vary significantly depending on the period of competition or training. The analyses performed revealed also indicate dietary regulation behaviors and a higher level of internalization of slimming standards when athletes were in competition compared to training phases. Conclusions Although DEAB are an increasing concern in the sport context, the specificity of DEAB in athletes can represent a challenge for stakeholders. It seems necessary that stakeholders from all fields to have a precise knowledge of the personal characteristics related to sports practice that could favor the DEAB development, to be able to carry out an appropriate evaluation allowing subsequently to propose avenues of intervention adapted to the realities of them. Support/Funding Source This research project was supported by the French athletics federation and financially supported by “Sport pour elles, FDJ”.

The Impact of the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Eating Symptoms and Dysfunctional Eating Behaviours in the General Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine the prevalence of feeding and eating disorder (FED) symptoms or dysfunctional eating behaviours (DEB) in the general population during the COVID-19 outbreak. We searched eligible articles in biomedical databases from 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2022. Prevalence rates of FED or DEB changes between pre-pandemic and pandemic time and correlation with psychological distress were pooled with a meta-analysis using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was tested using I-squared (I2) statistics. A total of 186 studies with 406,076 participants met the inclusion criteria. The more prevalent FED or DEB during the COVID-19 outbreak were: body image concerns (52%, 95% CI 0.38, 0.66), binge eating (40%, 95% CI 0.25, 0.55), and overeating (40%, 95% CI = 0.32-0.48). Pooled data of longitudinal studies (k = 8) only showed a significant difference in the prevalence of weight gain from pre-pandemic to the pandemic time. Finally, increased levels of psychological distress (k = 35) positively correlated with some ED symptoms. This meta-analysis evidenced a negative impact of the pandemic on eating symptoms and DEB in the general population.

Food Insecurity Is Associated With Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors Among Adults in Puerto Rico

ObjectiveTo examine the association between food insecurity and dysfunctional eating behaviors among adults in Puerto Rico. MethodsData from 865 participants were obtained from baseline interviews from the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT) cohort. The association between food insecurity and emotional eating (EE) and uncontrolled eating (UE) (categorized as no/moderate/high) was examined using multinomial logistic models. Potential mediation by perceived stress was explored. ResultsThe prevalence of food insecurity was 20.3%. Compared with adults with food security, adults with food insecurity had higher odds of both moderate EE (odds ratio [OR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18–3.09) and high EE (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.75–4.64), and both moderate UE (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 0.91–3.50) and high UE (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.70–6.33). Perceived stress slightly attenuated these associations. Conclusions and ImplicationsFood insecurity was associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in dysfunctional eating behaviors. Interventions alleviating food insecurity or stress might help adults sustain healthy eating behaviors.

Association of Sleep Quality with Dietary Diversity and BMI

Adequate quality sleep is important for ideal health condition. The recommended hours of sleep are 7-9 hours for children, adolescents, adults and elderly to maintain good health. Recent developments in the field of technology have changed the habits and lifestyles of students which causes sleep disorders among students. Sleep quality of the people is affected by several factors such as gender, age, occupation, psychological state but recently it has been recognized that dietary diversity and BMI are also implicated in sleep quality of people. Dietary diversity is the variety or the number of different food group’s people eats over the time given. Studies done in the past have indicated that sleep duration is associated positively with fruits and vegetables intake while the consumption of sweet and snack food items including junk food would lead to lesser sleep duration. Also, short sleep duration and poor sleep were associated with an increase in BMI and fat mass. Another study indicate that poor sleep quality predict obesity and high body fat mass among adults. Several studies have argued that excessive introduction of food, which leads to an increased risk of obesity in people with short term sleep, is associated with changes in hormones responsible for hunger and appetite control especially leptin and ghrelin. Adults and children that sleep less, have an increase in obesity and overweight risk with dysfunctional eating behaviors, decreased physical activity and metabolic changes. The review aims to see how the sleep quality is associated with BMI and dietary diversity in different age group people.

Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on perceptual disturbances and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors: A review of the literature.

From the outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) a new physical and social distancing environment has changed our lives and, more particularly, the way of perceiving oneself, as well as eating attitudes and behaviors. An increasing number of studies have highlighted a risky scenario in terms of negative perceptions of one's body as well as disordered eating and eating disorder patterns in both clinical and general population. With regard to this postulate, this literature review posits two main concepts-perceptual disturbances and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors-in the general and (sub-)clinical populations, to provide an understanding of these phenomena during the COVID-19 pandemic. The main objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive and critical review of published scientific literature about perceptual disturbances (i.e., negative body image, body image disturbances, low body esteem) and dysfunctional eating attitudes and behaviors, including disordered eating (e.g., restrictive eating, binge-eating episodes, overeating, emotional eating) and eating disorders features in community (i.e., general population) and clinical and sub-clinical samples worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic. The PubMed, ScienceDirect, Ebsco, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The initial search produced 42 references. Scientific publications from March 2020 to April 2022 were included, and among the works compiled, only published research articles have been retained. Purely theoretical papers were also excluded. The final selection consisted of 21 studies, covering both community, clinical (i.e., eating disorder population), and sub-clinical samples. The details of the results are discussed taking into consideration the potential impact of changes in the way we perceive ourselves and interact with others (e.g., the popularity of videoconferencing and the over-use of social network sites due to social isolation) as well as changes in eating attitudes and behaviors, physical activity and exercise (e.g., as an emotional response to the insecurity generated by the pandemic context), in community and (sub-)clinical samples. The discussion sheds light on two outcomes: (1) a summary of findings with methodological considerations; (2) an intervention continuum to deal with the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) and a final conclusion.

Neurobiological Correlates Shared Between Obesity, BED and Food Addiction.

The ubiquity of the obesity condition in the United States, Europe and other regions with developed economies will associate to a significant adverse impact on public health. Numerous data indicate that social, behavioral, neuroendocrine, and metabolic factors may encourage compulsive eating behaviors thus increasing the risk of obesity. Several pathological conditions overlap with excess weight. Among the most common, there are binge eating disorder (BED) and food addiction (FA), which share several neurobiological and behavioral aspects with substance addictions. BED has many features in common with addictive behavior, such as loss of control and the need to frequently repeat the dysfunctional pattern despite negative consequences. The food addiction hypothesis assumes that exposure to highly palatable foods alters the reward circuits of the brain, resulting in a behavioral phenotype similar to substance addiction and facilitating dysfunctional eating behaviors, such as binge eating crises. In this review, over 100 publications, researched on MEDLINE from 2000 until march 2021, were included since they evaluate neuroendocrine changes, emotional homeostatic factors and the reward circuit, associating them with exposure to highly palatable foods, loss of control, the way we eat, the increase in impulsiveness and the inability to change eating behavior despite the negative consequences related to overweight and obesity. Finally, understanding the underlying neurobiological circuits of compulsive eating behaviors and food addiction could result in a great therapeutic potential for patients suffering from ailments nutrition and obesity.

Is (Disordered) Social Networking Sites Usage a Risk Factor for Dysfunctional Eating and Exercise Behavior?

Research over the past years has shown that exposure to thin and beauty ideals in the media can be associated with disordered eating and related variables. Nowadays, interactive media, such as social networking sites, have gained growing popularity and represent a major part of people's lives. It is therefore crucial to investigate how far users might be negatively influenced by social networking sites regarding eating pathology or excessive exercise behavior and if there are particular links to social media use disorder. Data were collected by an online-survey encompassing questions on regular social networking site use, eating disorders, and excessive exercise behavior. Analyses showed that disordered social networking sites use was significantly related to eating pathology and a poorer body image in men and women. The frequency of active or passive social networking sites usage however was not associated with exercise behavior. Our results confirm that disordered social networking sites use represents a risk factor for body image dissatisfaction and associated eating disorders.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic causes a dysfunctional dietary behavior: A German cross-sectional study.

Background: Since the COVID-19 pandemic has been affected our daily lives, the global population has been exposed to permanent concerns and thus might suffer from the psychological burden. It is well known that psychological burdens can affect dietary behavior. Aim: The impact of a psychological burden on people, and in particular on their dietary patterns was investigated in this nationawide cross-sectional study. Methods: 7525 participants responded to the questionnaire regarding the psychological burden concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and their current dietary structure with changes in the pattern and food amount (between November 2020 and March 2021). Results: A pandemic-related dysfunction of dietary behavior was found. Some participants reported restrictive (conscious) food intake and as well impulsive food intake, which can be described as dysfunctional eating behaviors. In particular, younger persons and individuals who claimed an increased psychological burden reported dysfunctional dietary behavior. Data clearly show that psychological burdens affect an individual's dietary behavior. Conclusion: Public health strategies have to be developed to support individuals at risk to improve coping strategies. The long-term aim should be avoiding the maintenance of dysfunctional dietary behavior.

Meditation practices and their relationship with eating behavior, weight changes, and mental health in adults from different regions of Brazil: A cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the effect of different meditation practices on eating behavior, changes in body weight, and mental health. MethodsA virtual questionnaire was used to evaluate meditation practices and current and prepandemic weights. The questionnaire comprised specific and validated instruments to evaluate body image (silhouette scale), eating behavior (21-item three-factor eating questionnaire), current sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), and anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory). Initially, data from all the respondents were assessed (n = 764). Mindfulness was the most common type of meditation practice in most Brazilian regions. ResultsLower scores in uncontrolled eating (meditation practitioners = 32.19 ± 19.72 and non-meditation practitioners = 35.17 ± 20.50; P = 0.038) and higher weight loss (meditation practitioners = –0.77 ± 8.44 and non-meditation practitioners = 1.29 ± 6.39; P = 0.013) were observed among those who practiced some type of meditation. To verify the influence of weight, we analyzed the data of individuals who had body mass index ≥25 kg/m²; overweight individuals presented lower uncontrolled eating scores when they practiced meditation. However, no statistical difference was observed between meditation practitioners and non-practitioners when only adequate weight individuals were evaluated. The practice also influenced the perception of body image among men and resulted in lower uncontrolled eating scores on the 21-item three-factor eating questionnaire and greater weight loss during the pandemic among women. Those practicing meditation for >13 mo had a lower final score on the anxiety assessment instrument compared with those practicing for <12 mo (P = 0.002). ConclusionsThe findings indicate that the inclusion of meditation practice as part of the management of overweight may reduce dysfunctional eating behaviors and negative emotions, thereby contributing to weight loss, especially in the long term.

Imaginal retraining reduces craving for high-calorie food

Imaginal retraining (IR) is a treatment derived from approach bias modification to reduce strong craving for high-calorie food. The push component (IRpush) seems to be the most effective element according to a recent dismantling trial. Conclusions derived from prior studies are limited, however, by small sample sizes and restriction of participants to women. The present study aimed to overcome these limitations and also tested a new variant of IR (3P; decoupling with the elements pull, pause, push), which has previously been found to be more effective than the standard protocol in individuals with problematic alcohol use.The study was conducted online. A total of 1,106 participants with strong craving for high-calorie food were randomized to different brief interventions of IR or a passive control group. Before and after the interventions, participants indicated their craving for high-calorie food and appraised food pictures. The main conditions of interest were IRpush and 3P. The other two experimental conditions did not contain a motor element and served as active control conditions.IRpush proved the most effective intervention and reduced craving by approximately 18%, which was significantly larger than in the passive control group. IRpush worked especially well for those with higher initial weight, higher cravings, and more dysfunctional eating behavior. The novel 3P technique significantly reduced craving across time and was especially effective for those with high BMI and craving.The study suggests that a simple self-help component of imaginal retraining, IRpush, can decrease craving for high-calorie food to a relevant extent. Future trials should elucidate whether different forms of substance-related and behavioral addictions require adapted IR or 3P protocols to increase effectiveness.

PC027 / #1035 EFFICIENCY OF HOME-BASED TRANSCRANIAL DIRECT CURRENT STIMULATION (TDCS) ON DYSFUNCTIONAL EATING BEHAVIOR IN WOMEN WITH FIBROMYALGIA: TRACK 2: BRAIN STIMULATION

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, non-restorative sleep, fatigue, cognitive changes, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. There is a high prevalence of overweight in these patients, around 80%. Studies demonstrate common pathophysiological pathways between FM and obesity, such as dysfunctional eating behavior and altered dopaminergic neurotransmission. In this context, the contribution of non-pharmacological interventions, in order to rebalance the dopaminergic system, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), are important.

Influence of eating behaviors on dietary intake and quality of life among low-income bariatric surgery candidates: A preliminary study

Dysfunctional eating behavior is common among candidates for bariatric surgery. However, the influence of eating behaviors on dietary intake and quality of life in the low-income population undergoing this kind of surgery is unclear. To evaluate the association between eating behavior, sociodemographic variables, quality of life, and eating habits of candidates for bariatric surgery. This is a cross-sectional study conducted at the Bariatric Surgery Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital of Sergipe with 42 severely obese patients. Socioeconomic and anthropometric data, food frequency, and eating behavior questionnaire (Binge Eating Scale - BES and the Three-factor Eating Questionnaire - TFEQ-21) were collected pre-surgery. Data of 42 patients were available with a mean age of 44.3 (SD 5.8) years, and the majority of them were female (73,81%). There was a significant association between emotional eating and marital status, with higher scores on the emotional eating scale observed among patients with a partner when compared to those without a partner (p = 0.01). Assessing the association between behavior and eating habits, positive correlations happened between higher BES scores and higher consumption of salty snacks (r = 0.47; p = 0.03), higher cognitive restriction scores, and higher consumption of vegetables (r = 0.46; p = 0.04). There was inverse correlation between higher emotional eating score and lower cereal consumption (r = − 0.59; p = 0.01), higher cognitive restriction score and lower emotional aspects score (r = − 0.45; p = 0.01). Analyzing the relationship between eating behavior and quality of life, patients with lower vitality scores showed a higher uncontrolled eating score (r = − 0.42; p = 0.03). The findings suggest there is an association between eating behavior, dietary habits, and the quality of life of patients. These results may bring more appropriate strategies to improve patients' health care, which is also essential for successful post-surgery outcomes. • Eating behavior is closely associated with how bariatric surgery candidates relate to food choices. • Uncontrolled eating was linked to lower vitality in severely patients with obesity. • Restrictive cognition was correlated with higher consumption of vegetables and lower emotional aspects scores. • There was a positive association between binge eating and a higher intake of salty snacks.