ATTITUDES TO BODY-WEIGHT, WEIGHT-GAIN AND EATING BEHAVIOR IN PREGNANCY

The eating behavior and attitudes to body weight of 100 healthy women were studied 3 days after the birth of their first child. During pregn ancy women 'watch their weight' and use a range of methods of weight c ontrol which include cigarette smoking and inducing vomiting. During p regnancy 41 women reported weight control problems and 20 women consid ered their weight and eating problems to be greater than at any previo us time. Picking was the most common Mnu,anted behavior. Binge eating was experienced by 44 women, nine of whom reported it to be a 'severe' problem. Although women were ambivalent about being weighed at each a ntenatal visit, 81 recommended weighing once each month. The women hel d differing opinions on the effects of breastfeeding on body weight an d on the need for nutritional supplements during pregnancy. Women repo rting 'disordered eating' were move likely to have antenatal complicat ions and give birth to low birthweight babies. The results suggest goo n obstetric care should include a history of the woman's eating behavi or and body weight.