CBC Psychology of Obesity Questions and Answers 1 ā Questions and Answers
Question 1: A bariatric counselor is working with a patient who reports frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food after their evening meal and waking up at night to eat, at least three times a week. The patient expresses significant distress about this behavior. Which of the following psychological conditions is most likely indicated?
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
- Night Eating Syndrome (NES) (Correct answer)
- Anorexia Nervosa
Correct answer: Night Eating Syndrome (NES)
Night Eating Syndrome (NES) is characterized by a delayed pattern of food intake, with recurrent episodes of nocturnal eating or excessive food consumption after the evening meal. The patient's report of eating after the evening meal and waking to eat, combined with distress, aligns with the core diagnostic criteria for NES. While BED involves binge eating, it does not necessarily have the specific time pattern of occurring late at night that is characteristic of NES.
Question 2: A post-bariatric surgery patient has achieved significant weight loss but expresses extreme dissatisfaction with their appearance, focusing on loose skin. They report avoiding social situations and feeling that the surgery was a 'failure' despite medical improvements. This scenario PRIMARILY illustrates the complex psychological issue of:
- Addiction transfer
- Body image dissatisfaction (Correct answer)
- Post-surgical anxiety
- Non-compliance with dietary guidelines
Correct answer: Body image dissatisfaction
Despite significant weight loss, many post-bariatric surgery patients experience body image dissatisfaction, often related to issues like excess or loose skin. This can lead to disappointment and frustration, as the patient's mental construct of their body does not change as rapidly as their physical body. Their feelings of failure and social avoidance are classic manifestations of this issue, which is distinct from anxiety, addiction transfer, or simple non-compliance.
Question 3: Which of the following is a primary goal of using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with bariatric patients?
- To rapidly decrease BMI through strict dieting protocols.
- To uncover and resolve deep-seated childhood trauma.
- To modify dysfunctional eating behaviors and cognitive distortions related to food and body image. (Correct answer)
- To provide a diagnosis for any underlying personality disorder.
Correct answer: To modify dysfunctional eating behaviors and cognitive distortions related to food and body image.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a well-established psychological treatment for obesity and related eating disorders. Its primary goal is to help patients identify and change unhealthy eating behaviors and the negative thought patterns (cognitive distortions) that drive them, such as unrealistic weight goals and poor body image.
Question 4: A pre-surgical bariatric candidate tells their counselor, 'Everyone who is overweight is lazy and lacks willpower. I'm just like them, which is why I've never been able to lose weight on my own.' This statement is an example of:
- Internalized weight stigma (Correct answer)
- External locus of control
- Body image flexibility
- Emotional dysregulation
Correct answer: Internalized weight stigma
Internalized weight stigma occurs when individuals apply negative, weight-based stereotypes to themselves. The patient is expressing a belief in the negative stereotype that people with obesity are 'lazy' and is applying it to their own self-concept, which can lead to psychological distress and undermine health behaviors.
Question 5: Which psychological factor is often described as having a bidirectional relationship with obesity, meaning it can be both a cause and a consequence of weight gain?
- High self-efficacy
- Positive affect
- Depression (Correct answer)
- Secure attachment style
Correct answer: Depression
Research consistently shows a bidirectional link between depression and obesity. Depression can lead to weight gain through emotional eating and reduced physical activity, while obesity can increase the risk of developing depression due to factors like weight stigma, poor body image, and reduced quality of life.
Question 6: A counselor is screening a bariatric surgery candidate who reports eating an amount of food in a 2-hour period that is definitely larger than what most people would eat, feels a lack of control during these episodes, and experiences marked distress afterward. These episodes occur, on average, once a week. According to DSM-5-TR criteria, which condition should be further assessed?
- Purging Disorder
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
- Anorexia Nervosa, binge-eating/purging type
- Binge Eating Disorder (BED) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
The key features described by the patientārecurrent episodes of eating a large amount of food in a discrete period, a sense of lack of control, and marked distressāare the core criteria for Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The frequency of at least once a week for three months meets the diagnostic threshold outlined in the DSM-5-TR. BED is the most common eating disorder found in patients seeking bariatric surgery.
CBC Psychology of Obesity Questions and Answers 1
A bariatric counselor is working with a patient who reports frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food after their evening meal and waking up at night to eat, at least three times a week.
The patient expresses significant distress about this behavior.
Which of the following psychological conditions is most likely indicated?