Pregorexia: pregnant women who don’t want to gain weight

The obsession with not putting on weight leads many women to eat poorly during pregnancy.

Obsession with not putting on weight leads many women to malnourish themselves during pregnancy.. This behavior is not only detrimental to the mother's health, but can cause serious problems for the future child. The Pregorexia is a disorder in which the pregnant woman is obsessed with not getting fat and tries to eat less in order not to gain weight.

This disorder, despite not appearing in the DSM V or ICD- 10, is a serious problem faced by some women today.

The word Pregorexia is a combination of the terms "pregnancy" and anorexia. This term was initially coined in 2008 by the American media and, although it is not exactly anorexia, it is also commonly referred to as "anorexia of pregnancy", because for many, its symptoms are included within this already existing pathology, which is precisely anorexia.

Characteristics of Pregorexia

The woman who suffers from Pregorexia tries not to gain weight and stay thin when she is pregnant.This causes her food intake to be below the caloric and nutritional levels that are healthy and necessary for pregnancy. In addition, the excessive concern for her figure and her fear of not gaining weight causes her to force vomiting and excessive physical exercise. She even puts her own health and that of her child at risk.

The main cause of this disorder is social pressure The media constantly bombard us with advertisements about the "body 10", and the excessive intoxication by the media. It is common to find in magazines, reports of famous women who keep in shape during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Pregnancy is a particularly delicate time for keeping in shape, as it is normal to gain a few pounds during these months. The priority for any mother should be the well-being of her future babyThis stage is especially important for its future development.

The obsession with image can cause serious dangers: there are many negative consequences that can appear during gestation and during the future development of the child (malnutrition, bone decalcification, low production of breast milk, hormonal alterations, dry, cracked and dehydrated skin, digestive and Cardiovascular problems, intrauterine growth restriction, decreased amniotic fluid, premature birth or low birth weight). In addition, malnutrition can even cause fetal death.

Although 30 percent of women do not get enough nutrition during pregnancy, that does not mean it is due to Pregorexia. In fact, only a minority of pregnant women are affected by this eating disorder.

Women who have suffered from an eating disorder in the past are more at risk of suffering from Pregorexia.

According to experts, women who have suffered from eating disorders in the past are more likely to suffer from Pregorexia. are more likely to suffer from Pregorexia.. Despite this, having suffered from an eating disorder in the past is no guarantee of suffering from Pregorexia during pregnancy. In fact, some women overcome the previous disorder and accept themselves as they are, even during pregnancy.

Symptoms of Pregorexia

Women suffering from Pregorexia often exhibit a number of symptoms characteristic of the disorder. If you know someone who may be suffering from this eating disorder, it is necessary to seek help as soon as possible, since there is a risk of harmful consequences for the mother and her unborn child.. Below are the most characteristic symptoms that people with pregorexia present:

• Little weight gain or loss during pregnancy.
• Restriction of most food groups
• Feelings of excessive fear or anxiety about weight gain
• Excessive exercise to avoid weight gain
• Induction of vomiting after meals
• Excessive fatigue
• Dizziness or headaches
• Avoidance of meals to avoid gaining weight
• Difficulty concentrating
• Obsession with weight loss

Pregorexia: seeking help

If an acquaintance or family member suffers from an eating disorder while pregnant, it is important to seek help as soon as possible in order to reduce the risk of complications for the baby.

The usual course of action is to contact the family doctor, but he or she should refer the patient toHowever, he or she should refer the patient to a psychologist or psychiatrist so that the psychological and emotional problems that are at the root of this disorder can be treated. Therapy can be individual, but it is also advisable for the person suffering from Pregorexia to attend therapeutic support groupsThe interaction with other women with eating disorders can be beneficial.