Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

BACKGROUND: There is some evidence that early sexual abuse is an aetiological factor for eating disorder. However, there is sparse information from large-scale, non-clinical studies. AIMS: This study was designed to explore which early experiences, recalled during pregnancy, were associated with both lifetime and antenatal eating disorder symptoms in a community sample. METHOD: Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted of data from questionnaires administered during pregnancy to a community sample of pregnant women. RESULTS: Recall of parental mental health problems and of early unwanted sexual experiences were independently associated with both lifetime eating problems, laxative use and vomiting during pregnancy, and marked concern during pregnancy over shape and weight. CONCLUSIONS: There are public health implications for these results. Eating disorders in mothers represent a risk for child development. It may be important to enquire during pregnancy about a history of eating problems and to provide the opportunity for early experiences to be discussed.

Original publication

DOI

10.1192/bjp.187.3.268

Type

Journal article

Journal

Br J Psychiatry

Publication Date

09/2005

Volume

187

Pages

268 - 273

Keywords

Adolescent, Adult, Analysis of Variance, Bulimia Nervosa, Cathartics, Child Abuse, Sexual, Child of Impaired Parents, England, Family Health, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Middle Aged, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Risk Factors, Self Concept, Social Support