Eating Behaviour and Stress due to the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 among Bariatric Surgery Patients Resulting in Weight Regain: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly changed the lifestyle of people around the globe. Epidemics are well known for initiating mental stress and patients having undergone bariatric surgery for obesity are at high risk for the common presence of psychological co-morbidities The recent lockdowns imposed by various governments to curb the COVID-19 epidemic have affected the eating habits of many people. In patients with bariatric surgeries, eating disorders can have a profound impact on their health, leading to weight regain. Individuals who have undergone bariatric surgery may represent a particularly susceptible population. The adverse effects might be manifested in the form of eating disorders, psychological problems, and negative impacts on weight loss outcomes. There have been challenges in weight loss due to lockdowns, resulting in negative psychological impacts. Furthermore, changes in socialisation, routine physical activities, emotional stress, and experiences of trauma that have been evident at global levels might have a negative impact on the eating habits of bariatric surgery patients. The current paper highlights the psychological impact of COVID-19 among bariatric surgery patients resulting in weight regain caused by eating disorders and stress and addresses the psychological morbidity in this understudied population. In addition, the impact on the psychology of patients, as their surgeries have been delayed owing to lockdown procedures, has been discussed.

Keywords

• coronavirus disease-19
• emotional eating
• psychological morbidity
• obesity