University College and Kings College in London recently published a study in the European Eating Disorders Review. The study aimed to bring to light the prevalence of eating disorder in pregnancy. Researchers found the rate of eating disorders higher than previously reported.
About 740 women were included in the study. A modified model of the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale was used to categorize women into risk categories. Assessments took place during the first trimester of pregnancy with retrospective analysis completed for a period of up to 12 months before pregnancy.
Nine percent of the women were flagged for possible eating disorders in the retrospective study. That number dropped to 7.5% during pregnancy. Nearly 25% of the women admitted to weight and shape concerns with nearly 9% admitting to binge eating and more than 2% following the binge with behaviors to compensate for the increased food intake.
Source: Easter A, Bye A, Taborelli E, Corfield F, Schmidt U, Treasure J, Micali N. Recognising the Symptoms: How Common Are Eating Disorders in Pregnancy? Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2013 Mar 14. doi: 10.1002/erv.2229.