Researchers studied 64 people getting weight loss surgery to understand how anxiety and depression affect their food cravings. They found that people with higher anxiety and depression levels had stronger cravings for tasty, unhealthy foods. Surprisingly, following a Mediterranean diet didn’t seem to reduce these cravings or improve mood. This study shows that mental health plays a big role in weight control, and people considering weight loss surgery may need extra emotional support before and after their procedure to be successful.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How anxiety, depression, and food cravings are connected in people having weight loss surgery
  • Who participated: 64 adults (mostly women, average age 48) who were either planning to have or had already had weight loss surgery
  • Key finding: People with higher anxiety and depression had stronger cravings for tasty, high-calorie foods
  • What it means for you: If you’re considering weight loss surgery, addressing mental health issues may be just as important as changing your diet

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study that looked at people at one point in time, rather than following them over months or years. Researchers measured participants’ height, weight, and body composition, then had them fill out questionnaires about their anxiety levels, depression symptoms, food cravings, and how well they followed a Mediterranean diet. The study included both people preparing for weight loss surgery and those who had already had the procedure.

This type of study helps researchers understand connections between different factors, like how mental health relates to eating behaviors. While it can’t prove that anxiety causes food cravings, it can show whether they tend to occur together.

The study was relatively small with 64 people, which limits how broadly the results can be applied. The researchers used validated questionnaires, which makes their measurements more reliable. However, since it’s a snapshot study, we can’t know if anxiety causes cravings or if cravings cause anxiety.

What the Results Show

The study found a clear connection between mental health and food cravings. People who reported higher levels of anxiety also had stronger cravings for tasty, high-calorie foods like sweets, salty snacks, and fast food. The same pattern was true for depression - those with more depressive symptoms also experienced more intense food cravings. This relationship was statistically significant, meaning it’s unlikely to have happened by chance.

Surprisingly, following a Mediterranean diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil) didn’t seem to reduce food cravings or improve anxiety and depression levels. This was unexpected since previous research has suggested that healthy eating patterns can support better mental health.

These findings align with other research showing that psychological factors strongly influence eating behaviors, especially cravings for highly palatable foods. However, the lack of connection with Mediterranean diet adherence differs from some previous studies that found benefits of this eating pattern for mood.

The study was small and only looked at people at one moment in time, so we can’t know if treating anxiety and depression would reduce food cravings. The participants were all candidates for or recipients of weight loss surgery, so the results may not apply to the general population. Also, all measurements relied on self-reported questionnaires rather than objective measures.

The Bottom Line

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, it may be important to address anxiety and depression alongside dietary changes. Working with a mental health professional could help manage food cravings and improve surgery outcomes. However, more research is needed to confirm the best approaches.

This research is most relevant for people considering or recovering from weight loss surgery, especially those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or intense food cravings. Healthcare providers working with bariatric patients should also pay attention to these findings.

Since this was a snapshot study, we don’t know how long it might take to see improvements in cravings if mental health issues are addressed. More research is needed to understand the timeline for potential benefits.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily mood levels (1-10 scale) alongside food cravings intensity to identify personal patterns
  • Log moments of intense food cravings and note your stress or mood level at that time to build awareness of triggers
  • Monitor both emotional well-being and eating patterns over time to see how they influence each other, especially during stressful periods

This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. If you’re considering weight loss surgery or struggling with anxiety, depression, or eating issues, consult with qualified healthcare providers for personalized guidance.