Psychology of Obesity Flashcards
7 cards from real CBC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Psychology of Obesity flashcards as text
Six months after gastric bypass, a patient reports drinking alcohol nearly every evening despite rarely drinking before surgery. This pattern is most consistent with which recognized post-bariatric phenomenon?
Answer: Addiction transfer (cross-addiction) replacing food-related reward
Addiction transfer describes substituting alcohol or other compulsive behaviors for food after bariatric surgery, aided by altered alcohol pharmacokinetics.
During a pre-surgical psychological evaluation, which finding would most warrant delaying bariatric surgery for further treatment?
Answer: Active, untreated bulimia nervosa with frequent purging
Active purging-type eating disorders are a contraindication requiring stabilization before surgery, unlike treated past depression or normal procedural anxiety.
A post-bariatric patient who lost 120 pounds still perceives herself as her pre-surgery size and turns sideways through doorways. This lag is best described as what?
Answer: Phantom fat phenomenon, a delayed updating of body image after rapid weight loss
The 'phantom fat' phenomenon refers to persistence of the larger body schema after massive weight loss, which typically improves gradually.
Which patient behavior after sleeve gastrectomy most strongly suggests 'grazing,' a pattern linked to poorer weight outcomes?
Answer: Eating small amounts of food continuously throughout the day without planned meals
Grazing—repetitive, unplanned nibbling across the day—circumvents surgical restriction and predicts weight regain.
A patient becomes distressed when her spouse begins criticizing her new eating habits and discouraging her gym visits after surgery. Which concept best explains the spouse's behavior?
Answer: Relationship sabotage stemming from disrupted couple dynamics as the patient changes
Significant weight loss can threaten established relationship roles, leading partners to consciously or unconsciously undermine the patient's changes.
Which psychological outcome trajectory is most commonly observed in the first two to three years after bariatric surgery?
Answer: Initial improvement in mood and quality of life, with risk of decline as weight loss plateaus
Most patients experience a psychosocial 'honeymoon' that can fade around 18-36 months when weight stabilizes or regain begins.
Research on suicide risk after bariatric surgery indicates which finding that counselors must monitor?
Answer: Self-harm and suicide rates are elevated post-surgery compared with matched controls with obesity
Multiple cohort studies show increased self-harm and suicide rates after bariatric surgery, warranting ongoing mental health follow-up.