Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate eating disorder diagnostic status and related symptoms in early pregnancy. METHODS: Pregnant women (n=739), attending their first routine antenatal scan, were assessed using an adapted version of the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS). Prevalence estimates and eating disorder symptoms were assessed during the first 3 months of pregnancy and, retrospectively, in the 6 to 12 months prior to pregnancy. RESULTS: During pregnancy 7.5% of women met diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder, compared to prepregnancy prevalence of 9.2%. Approximately one quarter (23.4%) of women reported high weight and shape concern during pregnancy; binge eating was endorsed by 8.8%, and 2.3% of women engaged in regular compensatory behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Eating disorders are more common than previously thought in pregnancy. There is a clinical need for increased understanding of eating disorder symptomatology during pregnancy and for appropriate screening tools to be incorporated into antenatal care. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 340-344 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | European Eating Disorders Review |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 2013 |
Keywords
- pregnancy
- eating disorders
- anorexia nervosa
- bulimia nervosa
- perinatal
- BULIMIA-NERVOSA
- ANOREXIA-NERVOSA
- DIAGNOSTIC SCALE
- WOMEN
- IMPACT
- OUTCOMES
- CHILDREN
- MOTHER
- COHORT
- BIRTH