Prevalence of eating disorders in pregnant women: an association with anxiety, depression and eating attitudes

Author(s)

Amanda Maihara dos Santos

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
• Defense date: 2015-07-08

Examining board members

Glaucia Rosana Guerra Benute; Adolfo Wenjaw Liao; Niraldo de Oliveira Santos

• Advisor: Glaucia Rosana Guerra Benute

Abstract

Introduction: The nutritional status of the pregnant woman represents an important factor for the development of the fetus and for a healthy pregnancy. Women who have inadequate nutrient intake are more likely to develop a risky pregnancy. This problem is particularly severe when the woman presents an eating disorder (ED). This paper discusses the historical aspects, etiology and epidemiology of ED, considers the diagnostic criteria, delineates ED in the puerperal pregnancy period and addresses ED, anxiety and depression symptoms. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of ED in pregnant women with clinical complications and to assess the relationship between anxiety and depression symptoms and eating attitudes. Methods: A transversal and prospective study was conducted with 913 women between 2nd and 3rd trimester with high-risk pregnancies in the Obstetrics Clinic Division of Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. We conducted structured interviews for the assessment of pica, Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders for diagnostic of ED and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety and depression symptoms, and applied the EAT-26 questionnaire for eating attitudes. The data analysis was quantitative and conducted with the IBM SPSS for Windows, version 20.0. Results: Lifetime prevalence of ED was 7.6% (n=69) (95% CI: 5.84%-9.28%), 0.1% (n=1) for anorexia nervosa; 0.7% (n=6) for bulimia nervosa; 1.1% (n=10) for binge eating disorder, and 5.7% (n=52) for pica. ED was statistically significant with respect to the following variables: religion (p=0.02), previous induced abortion (p < 0.01), being in a relationship (p=0.01), per capita income (p=0,04), number of previous pregnancies (p<0.01) and number of children (p < 0.01). For the eating attitudes, statistical significance was found with \"feeling ill after eating sweets\" (p < 0.02) and \"spend too much time thinking about food\" (p=0.05), as well as between ED and anxiety (p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The prevalence of ED (7.6%) and its association with anxiety and depression symptoms during pregnancy highlights the need for specialist care for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Given the importance of proper nutrition during pregnancy, both with regard to maternal health and fetal development, it is necessary to have specific predetermined evaluation protocols implemented by health care professionals for the diagnosis of ED during pregnancy (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/10686-7 - Prevalence of eating disorders among pregnant women and its relation to anxiety and depression
• Grantee: Amanda Maihara dos Santos
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master