Pregorexia: pregnant women who do not want to gain weight

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

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

The word Pregorexia It is born from the combination of the terms “pregnancy” (pregnancy in English) and anorexia. This term was initially coined in 2008 by the North American media and, although it is not exactly anorexy, It is also commonly called "anorexia of pregnancy", because for many, its symptoms are included within this already existing pathology, which is precisely anorexia.

Characteristics of Pregorexia

The woman suffering from Pregorexia she tries not to gain weight and stay slim when she is pregnant, which causes your dietary intake to be below the healthy caloric and nutritional levels necessary for pregnancy. In addition, excessive concern for his figure and his fear of not gaining weight cause him to force vomiting and perform excessive physical exercise. Even putting your health and that of your child at risk.

The main cause of this disorder is social pressure that exists on aesthetic patterns, and excessive intoxication on the part of the mass media, which constantly bombards with advertisements about the "body 10". It is common to find in magazines, reports of famous women who stay in shape during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Pregnancy is an especially delicate time to maintain the line, as it is normal to gain a few "quilitos" during those months. Any mother's priority it should be the welfare of your future baby, since this stage is especially important for its future development.

The obsession with the image can cause serious dangers: there are many negative consequences that can appear during pregnancy and during the future development of the child (malnutrition, bone decalcification, low production of breast milk, hormonal changes, dry, cracked skin and dehydrated, digestive and cardiovascular problems, intrauterine growth restriction, decreased amniotic fluid, premature or low delivery Birth weight). In addition, malnutrition can lead to the death of the fetus.

Although 30 percent of women are undernourished during pregnancyThis does not mean that 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 at higher risk for Pregorexia

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

Symptoms of Pregorexia

Women who suffer from Pregorexia usually show a series of characteristic symptoms 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, as there is a risk of harmful consequences for the mother and the future baby. The following 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 gaining weight
• Excess exercise to avoid gaining weight
• Induction to vomiting after meals
• Excessive fatigue
• Dizziness or headaches
• Avoid foods so as not to gain weight
• Difficulty concentrating
• Weight loss obsession

Pregorexia: Seeking Help

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

The usual is contact your GP, but he must refer the patient to a psychologist or psychiatrist so that she can treat the psychological and emotional problems that are the root of this disorder. Therapy can be individual, but it is also recommended that the person suffering from Pregorexia attend therapeutic support groupsas interaction with other women with eating disorders can be beneficial.