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Medscape
a day ago
- Health
- Medscape
Bariatric Surgery Boosts Self-Esteem, But Does It Last?
The benefits of bariatric surgery can extend beyond physical weight loss and improved metabolic parameters, according to a new study finding that self-esteem surges in the first year following the surgery. 'We certainly know that bariatric surgery can help with diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea, but we don't talk as much about how obesity affects basic self-esteem — how the patient feels about themselves,' study investigator Justin Dhyani, MD, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, Pennsylvania, told Medscape Medical News . 'It seems logical that when a patient loses weight, self-esteem will increase, but the nearly 40-point rise in self-esteem scores we saw in just 12 months was really impressive,' said Dhyani. But how long does it last? Leslie Heinberg, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, told Medscape Medical News that the self-esteem boost in the first year after surgery noted in this study is 'absolutely in line' with her own clinical observations. It's after the first year when challenges may arise, said Heinberg, who wasn't involved in the research. Early Self-Esteem Boost For their study, Dhyani and colleagues used the Geisinger database to identify 5056 adults (mean age, 48 years; 85% women) with obesity (BMI ≥ 35) who had bariatric surgery between 2006 and 2019. Most had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. A total of 534 participants completed a survey on self-esteem within 12 months before and 6-24 months after weight-loss surgery. Overall, the researchers found that self-esteem scores more than doubled just 12 months after bariatric surgery — from 33.6 at baseline to 75.5 (out of 100) at 12 months ( P < .0001). However, patients with a higher BMI at the time of surgery (BMI ≥ 50) experienced smaller gains in self-esteem compared with peers with lower baseline BMI (< 40), which could be due to lingering effects of weight stigma. 'When you start out at a higher BMI, you have a longer way to go to reach what society might think is a normal weight, said Dhyani, adding that the externalized weight stigma certainly would affect how patients feel about themselves. 'That's what I think is going on,' he told Medscape Medical News. Dhyani presented the study at the 2025 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Annual Scientific Meeting in Washington, DC. He noted that longer-term follow-up will be important to see whether these gains in self-esteem persist over time, particularly in light of known trends in weight regain after surgery. Beyond the 'Heavenly Period' Heinberg told Medscape Medical News the first year after bariatric surgery is colloquially called the 'heavenly period' because people are losing a lot of weight, they're finding big improvements in their health and quality of life, and they're often getting a lot of positive attention. But 'beyond the first year, quality of life may stabilize, and people find that they have to work hard so they don't experience weight recurrence,' said Heinberg. 'They still have the same challenges as before surgery, like stressful jobs. They're just in a smaller body.' That's why ongoing counseling is so important. 'At Cleveland Clinic, the psychology team is embedded within the bariatric program. We see patients a bit more in the first year, but then annually is recommended,' Heinberg said, adding that they are available to patients more frequently if needed. April Williams, from Gig Harbor, Washington, who had bariatric surgery in 2019, said the 'temporary high' with surgery-induced weight loss can be followed by an 'emotional crash' as the weight loss eventually slows down and people stop commenting and offering praise. People need to realize the 'chronic and progressive nature of obesity. Just because you've treated it with bariatric surgery, the disease is still progressing in your life,' Williams told Medscape Medical News . Driven in part by a lack of post-surgery support, much of it due to COVID, Williams founded BariNation, a patient-led organization that supports people at all stages of their bariatric weight loss journey. Jamie Sarver, LPN, program coordinator with Cleveland Clinic's Bariatric and Metabolic Institute, said bariatric surgery is 'an opportunity to make an investment in yourself, [but] it's not a quick fix.' Sarver also had bariatric surgery in 2019. She shared that prior to surgery, she often felt 'uncomfortable' in her own skin, but her perception of herself has 'evolved several times' since the surgery. 'Initially I was glad for the rapid weight loss, smaller clothing sizes, and noticeable changes in my abilities to do physical activities. Over time, and as I've maintained my weight loss, my perception of myself has evolved further to feeling proud and confident of what I've achieved in these 5 years since surgery,' Sarver told Medscape Medical News . Few Takers Despite the physical and psychological benefits of bariatric surgery, only about 1% of Americans eligible for bariatric surgery choose to pursue it. Dhyani said highlighting the emotional and social benefits of bariatric surgery could encourage more patients to consider the procedure. 'I think letting patients know more about the self-esteem aspect of it might open up their minds to this type of care to improve their lives,' he said. Richard M. Peterson, MD, MPH, president-elect of the ASMBS and professor of surgery at UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, told Medscape Medical News that one of his initiatives is to 'improve the image of bariatric surgery.' 'A lot of people still have the very old-school view that bariatric surgery is dangerous. But the truth is this surgery — that improves overall health and weight loss — is safer than having your gallbladder removed,' said Peterson.
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Do you eat a meal too fast? It might be time to slow down; know these tips for mindful eating
You can have your cake and eat it too — just do it slowly. Experts tend to focus on the kinds of foods you can eat to improve your health. But the speed at which you devour your dinner matters just as much. There are risks with eating too fast — think stuck food and the potential to overeat before your brain tells you to stop. (Inhaling your food also risks annoying your slower-paced dining companions or the person who took the time to cook your meal.) Also read | Sustainable eating tips: Nutritionist reveals 9 everyday habits that could save the Earth and your health Here are some tips from scientists on how to slow down and take a more mindful approach to consuming your diet. If you're the kind of person who can regularly polish off breakfast, lunch or dinner in less than 20-30 minutes, you are eating too fast. 'It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to communicate to the brain via a whole host of hormonal signals that it's full,' said Leslie Heinberg, at the Center for Behavioral Health at the Cleveland Clinic. 'So when people eat rapidly, they can miss these signals and it's very easy to eat beyond the point of fullness.' People who eat quickly are likely to swallow more air, Heinberg said, which could lead to bloating or indigestion. Not chewing your food properly can also compromise digestion, meaning you won't get all of the nutrients from your food. Unchewed pieces of food also could get stuck in your esophagus. Some previous studies have suggested that people who eat quickly have the highest risk of obesity, while the slowest eaters were the least likely to be obese. For starters, turn off the TV and put down your phone. 'If you're eating while you watch TV, people tend to eat until there's a commercial or the show is over,' Heinberg said, adding that people are less inclined to pay attention to the body's own signals that it's full. 'When we do things while we're eating, we're eating less mindfully. And that often causes us to eat more.' Also read | Want to lose weight? Nutritionist shares 6 daily habits that can help: Fast for 12 hours a day, keep your routine boring She said that when people focus exclusively on eating, they tend to enjoy the meal more and eat less. Heinberg also acknowledged the pace at which you eat is often an ingrained habit, but said change is still possible. She suggested things like using your non-dominant hand to eat, trying utensils you might not ordinarily use like chopsticks or taking a deliberate break to drink water when your plate is partially empty. If you have a busy life, it might be unavoidable to eat lunch at a work meeting or snack while running errands. But Sarah Berry, chief scientist at the British nutritional company ZOE, said when possible, 'be mindful of what the food tastes and feels like.' 'If we're not fully present, it's very easy to eat more quickly and not notice how much we've consumed," Berry said. One of the simplest things to do is to increase the number of bites you take, said Helen McCarthy, a clinical psychologist with the British Psychological Society. 'If you chew each mouthful a little bit longer, that will slow down your eating,' she said. The kind of food you eat may also make a difference, pointing out that it's much easier to eat ultraprocessed or fast foods quicker, because they typically have a softer texture. 'It's hard to eat vegetables and protein at the same rate as something that's highly processed and requires less chewing," McCarthy said. Some of her patients also reported an unintentional side effect once they began eating more slowly, referencing one woman who often ate a tube of potato chips every evening. When McCarthy told her to slow down and eat every single chip individually, her patient told her 'it was like having a mouthful of claggy chemicals.' Also read | Does food move slowly or too quickly in your tummy? Gut transit time can reveal a lot about your health 'She didn't find (the chips) enjoyable anymore,' McCarthy said. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Euronews
18-04-2025
- Health
- Euronews
If you can finish a meal in 20 minutes or less, it might be time to slow down. Here's why
ADVERTISEMENT You can have your cake and eat it too – just do it slowly. Beyond the risk of annoying your slower-paced dining companions or the person who took the time to cook your meal, there are risks with eating too fast. Think of stuck food and the potential to overeat before your brain tells you to stop. Here are some tips from scientists on how to slow down and take a more mindful approach to eating. Related You're more likely to die from these health issues if you eat a lot of ultra-processed foods How fast is too fast? If you're the kind of person who can regularly polish off breakfast, lunch, or dinner in less than 20 to 30 minutes, you are eating too fast. "It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to communicate to the brain via a whole host of hormonal signals that it's full," said Leslie Heinberg from the Center for Behavioral Health at the US-based Cleveland Clinic. "So when people eat rapidly, they can miss these signals, and it's very easy to eat beyond the point of fullness". Why is that a problem? People who eat quickly are likely to swallow more air, Heinberg said, which could lead to bloating or indigestion. Not chewing your food properly can also compromise digestion, meaning you won't get all of the nutrients from your food. Unchewed pieces of food also could get stuck in your esophagus. Some previous studies have suggested that people who eat quickly have the highest risk of obesity, while the slowest eaters were the least likely to be obese. Related Forget Mediterranean cuisine. Experts say this East African diet could be key to better health How can you slow down when eating? For starters, turn off the TV and put down your phone. "If you're eating while you watch TV, people tend to eat until there's a commercial or the show is over," Heinberg said, adding that people are less inclined to pay attention to the body's own signals that it's full. "When we do things while we're eating, we're eating less mindfully. And that often causes us to eat more". She said that when people focus exclusively on eating, they tend to enjoy the meal more and eat less. Related How the coffee machine at your office may be hurting your health without you knowing Heinberg suggested things like using your non-dominant hand to eat, trying utensils you might not ordinarily use like chopsticks, or taking a deliberate break to drink water when your plate is partially empty. If you have a busy life, it might be unavoidable to eat lunch at a work meeting or snack while running errands. But experts recommend keeping how food tastes and feels in mind. ADVERTISEMENT "If we're not fully present, it's very easy to eat more quickly and not notice how much we've consumed," said Sarah Berry, chief scientist at the British nutritional company ZOE. Chew your food more One of the simplest things to do is to increase the number of bites you take, said Helen McCarthy, a clinical psychologist with the British Psychological Society. Related Why experts are warning parents not to give their kids dietary supplements like vitamins "If you chew each mouthful a little bit longer, that will slow down your eating," she said. The kind of food you eat may also make a difference, she said, pointing out that it's much easier to eat ultra-processed or fast foods quicker because they typically have a softer texture. ADVERTISEMENT "It's hard to eat vegetables and protein at the same rate as something that's highly processed and requires less chewing," McCarthy said.
Boston Globe
24-03-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Do you eat a meal in 20 minutes or less? It might be time to slow down
How fast is too fast? If you're the kind of person who can regularly polish off breakfast, lunch or dinner in less than 20-30 minutes, you are eating too fast. Advertisement 'It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to communicate to the brain via a whole host of hormonal signals that it's full,' said Leslie Heinberg, at the Center for Behavioral Health at the Cleveland Clinic. 'So when people eat rapidly, they can miss these signals and it's very easy to eat beyond the point of fullness.' Get Love Letters: The Newsletter A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more. Enter Email Sign Up Why is that a problem? People who eat quickly are likely to swallow more air, Heinberg said, which could lead to bloating or indigestion. Not chewing your food properly can also compromise digestion, meaning you won't get all of the nutrients from your food. Unchewed pieces of food also could get stuck in your esophagus. Some previous studies have suggested that people who eat quickly have the highest risk of obesity, while the slowest eaters were the least likely to be obese. How can you slow down when eating? For starters, turn off the TV and put down your phone. 'If you're eating while you watch TV, people tend to eat until there's a commercial or the show is over,' Heinberg said, adding that people are less inclined to pay attention to the body's own signals that it's full. 'When we do things while we're eating, we're eating less mindfully. And that often causes us to eat more.' She said that when people focus exclusively on eating, they tend to enjoy the meal more and eat less. Heinberg also acknowledged the pace at which you eat is often an ingrained habit, but said change is still possible. She suggested things like using your non-dominant hand to eat, trying utensils you might not ordinarily use like chopsticks or taking a deliberate break to drink water when your plate is partially empty. Advertisement If you have a busy life, it might be unavoidable to eat lunch at a work meeting or snack while running errands. But Sarah Berry, chief scientist at the British nutritional company ZOE, said when possible, 'be mindful of what the food tastes and feels like.' 'If we're not fully present, it's very easy to eat more quickly and not notice how much we've consumed,' Berry said. Chew your food, just like mom told you to One of the simplest things to do is to increase the number of bites you take, said Helen McCarthy, a clinical psychologist with the British Psychological Society. 'If you chew each mouthful a little bit longer, that will slow down your eating,' she said. The kind of food you eat may also make a difference, pointing out that it's much easier to eat ultraprocessed or fast foods quicker, because they typically have a softer texture. 'It's hard to eat vegetables and protein at the same rate as something that's highly processed and requires less chewing,' McCarthy said. Some of her patients also reported an unintentional side effect once they began eating more slowly, referencing one woman who often ate a tube of potato chips every evening. When McCarthy told her to slow down and eat every single chip individually, her patient told her 'it was like having a mouthful of claggy chemicals.' 'She didn't find (the chips) enjoyable anymore,' McCarthy said.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Do you eat a meal in 20 minutes or less? It might be time to slow down
LONDON (AP) — You can have your cake and eat it too — just do it slowly. Experts tend to focus on the kinds of foods you can eat to improve your health. But the speed at which you devour your dinner matters just as much. There are risks with eating too fast — think stuck food and the potential to overeat before your brain tells you to stop. (Inhaling your food also risks annoying your slower-paced dining companions or the person who took the time to cook your meal.) Here are some tips from scientists on how to slow down and take a more mindful approach to consuming your diet. How fast is too fast? If you're the kind of person who can regularly polish off breakfast, lunch or dinner in less than 20-30 minutes, you are eating too fast. 'It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to communicate to the brain via a whole host of hormonal signals that it's full,' said Leslie Heinberg, at the Center for Behavioral Health at the Cleveland Clinic. 'So when people eat rapidly, they can miss these signals and it's very easy to eat beyond the point of fullness.' Why is that a problem? People who eat quickly are likely to swallow more air, Heinberg said, which could lead to bloating or indigestion. Not chewing your food properly can also compromise digestion, meaning you won't get all of the nutrients from your food. Unchewed pieces of food also could get stuck in your esophagus. Some previous studies have suggested that people who eat quickly have the highest risk of obesity, while the slowest eaters were the least likely to be obese. How can you slow down when eating? For starters, turn off the TV and put down your phone. 'If you're eating while you watch TV, people tend to eat until there's a commercial or the show is over,' Heinberg said, adding that people are less inclined to pay attention to the body's own signals that it's full. 'When we do things while we're eating, we're eating less mindfully. And that often causes us to eat more.' She said that when people focus exclusively on eating, they tend to enjoy the meal more and eat less. Heinberg also acknowledged the pace at which you eat is often an ingrained habit, but said change is still possible. She suggested things like using your non-dominant hand to eat, trying utensils you might not ordinarily use like chopsticks or taking a deliberate break to drink water when your plate is partially empty. If you have a busy life, it might be unavoidable to eat lunch at a work meeting or snack while running errands. But Sarah Berry, chief scientist at the British nutritional company ZOE, said when possible, 'be mindful of what the food tastes and feels like.' 'If we're not fully present, it's very easy to eat more quickly and not notice how much we've consumed," Berry said. Chew your food, just like mom told you to One of the simplest things to do is to increase the number of bites you take, said Helen McCarthy, a clinical psychologist with the British Psychological Society. 'If you chew each mouthful a little bit longer, that will slow down your eating,' she said. The kind of food you eat may also make a difference, pointing out that it's much easier to eat ultraprocessed or fast foods quicker, because they typically have a softer texture. 'It's hard to eat vegetables and protein at the same rate as something that's highly processed and requires less chewing," McCarthy said. Some of her patients also reported an unintentional side effect once they began eating more slowly, referencing one woman who often ate a tube of potato chips every evening. When McCarthy told her to slow down and eat every single chip individually, her patient told her 'it was like having a mouthful of claggy chemicals.' 'She didn't find (the chips) enjoyable anymore,' McCarthy said. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
