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This study evaluated the prevalence and predictors of dysfunctional eating. Women in the third trimester of pregnancy participated in this study (N = 105). Dysfunctional eating was associated with a higher body mass index, enhanced negative body image, more somatic symptoms, poorer marital relationships, more negative attitudes regarding pregnancy and the baby and more emotional problems. A higher body mass index prior to the pregnancy, higher weight gain during pregnancy and a more negative perception of body image predicted dysfunctional eating. Clinicians must be aware of the presence of dysfunctional eating during pregnancy to prevent relevant physiological and psychosocial consequences during this stage.

This study sought to examine predictors of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) in eating disorder patients and to evaluate the moderating role of purging behaviours in the relationship between a theorised predictor (i.e. sexual/physical abuse) and NSSI. Participants in this study were 177 female patients with eating disorders (age range = 14-38 years) who completed semistructured interviews assessing eating disorder symptoms and eating disorder-related risk factors (e.g. history of sexual and physical abuse, history of NSSI and feelings of fatness). Results revealed that 65 participants (36.7%) reported lifetime engagement in NSSI, and 48 participants (27.1%) reported a history of sexual/physical abuse. Early onset of eating problems, lower BMI, feeling fat, a history of sexual/physical abuse and the presence of purging behaviours were all positively associated with the lifetime occurrence of NSSI. The relationship between sexual/physical abuse before eating disorder onset and lifetime NSSI was moderated by the presence of purging behaviours, such that the relationship was stronger in the absence of purging. These findings are consistent with the notion that purging and NSSI may serve similar functions in eating disorder patients (e.g. emotion regulation), such that the presence of purging may attenuate the strength of the association between sexual/physical abuse history (which is also associated with elevated NSSI risk) and engagement in NSSI behaviours.

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We evaluated associations between maternal child-feeding practices and maternal (age, body mass index [BMI], education, disordered eating) and child (age, BMI, emotional and behavioral) characteristics in 412 mothers and their children using the Parental Feeding Practices, the Child Behavior Checklist, and the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaires. Maternal BMI was positively correlated with covert control feeding practices. Younger maternal age and lower maternal educational level were associated with increased maternal pressure to eat and overt control in their child-feeding practices. Maternal disordered eating behaviors were associated with increased restriction and covert control in their child-feeding practices. Maternal monitoring during child feeding was associated with lower levels of the child’s problems with internalization and externalization. Finally, maternal feeding practices that involved covert control were related to higher eating restriction by the mother on herself and more maternal concern about her child’s weight. Our findings suggest that maternal feeding practices such as overt and covert control are related to both maternal and child factors. Clinicians must become aware that these maternal feeding practices can model children’s eating behavior and disrupt children’s self-regulation of food intake; however, maternal monitoring during child feeding seems to be related to children’s well-being.