Lower nutrition knowledge in individuals with prior metabolic–bariatric surgery despite comparable hedonic hunger and body image: a cross-sectional study

AIM: This cross-sectional study compared hedonic hunger, body image, and nutrition knowledge between individuals with prior metabolic-bariatric surgery (MBS) whose current BMI was 18.5-24.9 kg/m² and individuals with BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m² without prior MBS. METHODS: Hedonic hunger (Power of Food Scale), body image (Body Image Scale), and nutrition knowledge (Nutrition Knowledge Scale) were assessed in 108 participants (54 with prior MBS, 54 without MBS). Group differences were examined using non-parametric tests and analysis of covariance adjusting for demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses, individuals with prior MBS demonstrated lower hedonic hunger, food taste sensitivity, positive body perception, and nutrition knowledge scores, and higher desire to change their body. However, after adjustment for covariates, group differences in hedonic hunger and body image were no longer statistically significant. In contrast, nutrition knowledge scores remained significantly lower in the MBS group (p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.111). CONCLUSION: After adjustment for demographic and clinical covariates, differences in hedonic hunger and body image were attenuated and were no longer statistically significant, whereas nutrition knowledge remained lower in individuals with prior MBS. Given the cross-sectional design, causal inferences regarding the effects of surgery cannot be made.