Pregorexia

From Drug Rehab Wiki

Pregorexia occurs when a pregnant woman engages in extreme diet and exercise in order to control weight gain during pregnancy.

Many expectant mothers are concerned about their body image and worry excessively about weight gain. Women who have a history of eating disorders or lack a strong social support system are at higher risk of developing pregorexia. Signs of the disorder include talking about the pregnancy as a concept rather than a reality, focusing too much on counting calories and not enough on eating nutritious foods, excessive exercising, and eating alone or skipping meals. Some experts estimate that as many as five percent of all pregnant women have an eating disorder while they are pregnant and fear that Hollywood’s obsession with controlling pregnancy weight, and losing it all within just a few weeks of giving birth, could make the situation worse.

Although moderate amounts of exercise are recommended for mom’s mental and physical health and to aid delivery and recovery, doctors shy away from recommending exercise for the purpose of controlling extra pregnancy weight. They also advise against anything strenuous, such as aerobics or activities in the third trimester, as lack of oxygen can lead to fetal brain damage. Babies born to pregorexic moms can suffer neurological and emotional disorders later in life as a result of malnutrition in the womb.

Society inadvertently encourages pregorexia by complementing these mothers on their ability to maintain their figures during pregnancy. As the mainstream medical community catches on to the problem of eating disorders in pregnant women, OB/GYNs play an increasingly important role in diagnosing pregorexia and referring to specialists for effective treatment before permanent damage takes place.

Some authorities believe that 5% of pregnant women have pregorexia. The media may contribute to the problem by emphasizing the weight gains and losses of celebrities who are pregnant or who have recently given birth. Doctors advise women to gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy, depending on their weights when they are not pregnant. If they are underweight or having twins, a weight gain of 45 pounds is healthy. Pregorexia is a new word used in some therapeutic communities and by media, but one not recognized by medical authorities.