The Study of Disordered Eating in Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Abstract

Pregnancy has presented unique challenges in eating disorder treatment, as well as constraints on maternal success. Body image dissatisfaction is a leading cause of disordered eating in women, and when coupled with anxiety around motherhood and physical changes, it can exacerbate preoccupations with food in weight in women with or without prior eating disorders. Additionally, concern for fetal health may lead to a decrease in disordered eating habits in women who suffered from an eating disorder prior to conception. This chapter will dissect the many studies that discuss the effect of eating disorders on women in the gestational period and postpartum. Furthermore, discussion of prenatal screening will also be examined, although no clinically-based screen for eating disorders in pregnant women has been developed. Lastly, this chapter will emphasize the need for obstetricians to receive better education on detecting disordered eating during pregnancy, and the importance of implementing a comprehensive plan upon identification of an eating disorder.