Eating behaviour patterns are associated with excessive weight gain after liver transplantation

S C Ferreira; F R O Penaforte; A S R Cardoso; M V T da Silva; A S Lima; M I T D Correia; L R Anastácio

doi:10.1111/jhn.12661

Eating behaviour patterns are associated with excessive weight gain after liver transplantation

J Hum Nutr Diet. 2019 Dec;32(6):693-701. doi: 10.1111/jhn.12661. Epub 2019 Jul 23.

Authors

S C Ferreira¹, F R O Penaforte², A S R Cardoso³, M V T da Silva¹, A S Lima⁴, M I T D Correia^{1

4}, L R Anastácio^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Food Science Post Graduation Program, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
² Nutrition Department, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
³ Nutrition Course, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
⁴ Surgery Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
⁵ Food Science Department, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

PMID: 31334582
DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12661

Abstract

Background: Weight gain and obesity are important issues in liver transplant (LTx) recipients. Although dietary habits are probably related to excessive weight gain after LTx, some studies have failed to demonstrate these associations. The present study aimed to assess eating behaviour and verify its association with weight gain and excessive weight among LTx recipients.

Methods: The investigation comprised a cross-sectional study. Post-LTx patients, aged >18 years were evaluated about their eating behaviour [Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R21 (TFEQ-R21)]. The scores of the TFEQ-R21 [uncontrolled eating (UE), cognitive restraint (CR) and emotional eating (EE)] were determined. Excessive weight was classified as body mass index ≥25 kg/m² and obesity ≥30 kg/m².

Results: In total, 270 patients (age 58.0 years; range 20.0-77.0 years; 64.1% men) were assessed. Average weight gain was 8.0 kg (range -16.0 to 41.0 kg). Of the patients, 64.1% (n = 173) had excessive weight and 23.3% (n = 63) were obese. Post-LTx weight gain was significantly correlated with UE (r = 0.311, P < 0.001) and EE (r = 0.287, P < 0.001). Patients with excessive weight had significantly higher scores than others: CR (61.0; range 0-122.0 versus 44.0; range 0-116.0) (P = 0.003) and EE (11.0; range 0-100.0 versus 0.0; range 0-100.0) (P = 0.030). Patients with obesity had higher scores than non-obese UE (22.0; range 0-77.0 versus 14.0; range 0-85.0; P = 0.028), CR (55.0; range 11.0-116.0 versus 50.0; range 0-122.0) (P = 0.017) and EE (16.0; range 0-100.0 versus 5.0; range 0-100.0) individuals (P < 0.001). The greatest quartiles of weight gain had higher scores on the eating behaviours of UE and EE, especially those with weight gain ≥14 kg. UE was associated with weight gain. CR was associated with being overweight. EE was associated with obesity.

Conclusions: Uncontrolled eating is associated with weight gain, CR was associated with excessive weight and EE was associated with obesity after LTx.

Keywords: body weight change; eating behaviour; liver transplantation; obesity; weight gain.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Body Mass Index
Cross-Sectional Studies
Feeding Behavior / psychology*
Female
Humans
Liver Transplantation / psychology*
Male
Middle Aged
Obesity / epidemiology
Obesity / psychology*
Overweight / epidemiology
Overweight / psychology
Self-Control / psychology*
Weight Gain*