Pregnancy and eating disorders: A review and clinical implications

Abstract

Pregnancy and eating disorders is a subject that has received relatively little attention in the literature. Yet, several serious complications have been found in both the mother and the fetus when a woman with an eating disorder becomes pregnant. In this paper the literature is reviewed for both anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa and suggestions for future research are offered. Clinical implications for the treatment of the pregnant eating disordered patient are discussed. © by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Body Image in Adolescent Pregnancy

“…As such, the extent of adolescents' adaption to pregnancy body changes is important, because body dissatisfaction in pregnancy is associated with many harmful consequences to both the mother and the fetus. 2,18,19 For example, the adult literature has shown that pregnant women who experience negative body image are more likely to engage in unhealthy eating, dieting, and purging behaviors as compared to pregnant women who are satisfied with their bodies. 18 Also, unhealthy weight control behaviors have been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes.…”

“…18 Also, unhealthy weight control behaviors have been associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. 2,18,19 Unfortunately, there is no adolescent research examining the effects of poor body image in pregnancy on eating and dieting behavior and the secondary effects on pregnancy outcome.…”

“…12,16,17 Body dissatisfaction during pregnancy is a concern because of the potential association with negative behaviors, such as unhealthy dieting, which have been linked to poor pregnancy outcomes like premature delivery and low infant birth weight. 2,18,19 Body image dissatisfaction in pregnancy is also concerning because it is an important psychological determinant of depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy 11,20 A link between body dissatisfaction and depression has also been suggested in nonpregnant youth. 21 Additionally, there is evidence that depressive symptoms are associated with greater body image dissatisfaction.…”

Relationship between body mass index and women’s body image, self-esteem and eating behaviours in pregnancy: A cross-cultural study

“…These factors aiACmpni.no.ni.hAymnywA,,hnvAnoCmpnc.no.hAmn.hAi'i ability to parent effectively and the way in which feeding is carried out (Franko et al, 1993;Hampson et al, 2010;Ozmen et al, 2007;Patel et al, 2002;Reba-Harreleson et al, 2009). …”

Perturbações do comportamento alimentar na gravidez: uma revisão

“…No entanto, os técnicos de saúde podem não conseguir identificar as perturbações do comportamento alimentar, já que (a) os pacientes apresentam relutância em revelar a sua problemática, mesmo quando o diagnóstico se refere à sua história passada (Edelstein & King, 1992;Franko & Spurell, 2000;Franko & Walton, 1993;Lemberg & Phillips, 1989;Mitchell-Gieleghem et al, 2002;Newton & Chizawsky, 2006;Norre, Vandereycken, & Gordts, 2001;Stewart, 1992), normalmente associado a sentimentos de vergonha (Newton & Chizawsky, 2006); (b) muitas vezes, os sintomas mais visíveis, nomeadamente na anorexia nervosa (como é o caso da amenorreia), não estão presentes no período gravídico; (c) nem sempre as perturbações são evidenciadas pelo aspecto físico, como no caso da bulimia nervosa, que abrange indivíduos com qualquer peso (Newton & Chizawsky, 2006); (d) outros sintomas podem esconder o diagnóstico (como a hiperemese gravídica, que pode esconder bulimia nervosa; Lingam & McCluskey, 1996); e (e) as perturbações são egosintónicas, podendo traduzir-se em negação da perturbação (Newton & Chizawsky, 2006). Além desta omissão frequente aos clínicos, as mulheres com perturbações do comportamento alimentar na gravidez podem inclusive esconder a perturbação ou tentar minimizar alguns comportamentos específicos aos cônjuges, familiares, amigos ou terapeuta.…”