factors-associated-with-binge-eating-disorder-in-pregnancy

Factors Associated with Binge Eating Disorder in Pregnancy

An article released in the March issue of the International Journal of Eating Disorders identified several different factors associated with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) among pregnant women.  The authors, Berg and colleagues, used a sample of 45, 644 Norwegian women.  They found that of the 4.1% with BED, “a surprisingly high proportion (49%) of the women…were incident cases (i.e., with onset after becoming pregnant).”

The relationship between pregnancy and anorexia or bulimia has been studied before, with mixed findings, according to the authors.  For some women, having children becomes a motivation to end ED behaviors.  For others, pregnancy induces greater stress and worsens ED behaviors.  This is one of the first studies to examine BED and pregnancy.

The authors used several diagnostic assessments that measured eating behaviors, satisfaction with life, satisfaction with partner, self-esteem, affects of adverse life events (e.g. abuse), feelings of anxiety and depression.  While all these factors were significantly associated with incidence of BED, a lifetime history of major depression “more than doubled the risk of developing BED during the first half of pregnancy.”  Lifetime smoking, smoking during pregnancy, and alcohol use were also factors.  Social support played an important role, as there was an association between BED and those who felt a lack of support from family and friends.  The strongest factor reported was “worrying about pregnancy-related weight gain.”

The authors proposed that weight-related factors like worrying about weight gain are consistent with established theories about BED; that many who severely restrict food intake will then binge to compensate for starvation.  Women may also binge because they already feel a loss of control over their body due to imminent weight gain during pregnancy.

This subject requires further investigation.  The authors urge health professionals to familiarize themselves with the variety of factors affecting the development of eating disorders during pregnancy.

  • Source: Berg, C.K., L. Torgersen, A. Von Holle, R. Hamer et al. 2011. Factors associated with binge eating disorder in pregnancy.  International Journal of Eating Disorders 44: 124-133.
  • An online version of this article can be accessed here.