Abstract
Eating disorders represent a serious and complex health and social problem which is encountered by many medical
professionals in their practice, including by family doctors. An increasing number of individuals are affected by these
disorders. The media, which promote slim figure as fashionable or perfect, are a contributing factor. Pregnant women are
a group which is especially vulnerable to eating disorders. Their bodies are subject to dynamic changes; as a result, these are
often far from the widely promoted ideal. Malnutrition in women planning to conceive a child and in pregnant women
is a risk factor for abnormal course of pregnancy and poor health status of the newborn child. Therefore, it is important for
women who are planning pregnancy to change their lifestyle and follow the rules of appropriate, balanced diet. The aim of the
paper was to review the available publications on pregorexia, i.e. an eating disorder which involves self-starvation and/or
inducing vomiting during pregnancy. The article presents the current recommendations concerning body mass of a woman
during pregnancy and the consequences of pregorexia for the mother and the unborn child as well as discussing the role
of medical professionals regarding this non-specific eating disorder. Based on the available sources it may be concluded that
there is a need for wider education concerning diet and physical activity provided by medical professionals to higher-risk
groups. Early intervention by an interdisciplinary therapeutic team contributes to better treatment results with appropriate
health education being of key importance.
Citation
ID:
139217
Ref Key:
harasim-piszczatowska2017pediatriapregorexia