Symptoms of eating disorders and feeding practices in obese mothers

Abstract Background The potential that obesity in pregnancy has to affect symptoms associated with eating disorders and breastfeeding is unclear. Aim This study analyzed symptoms of eating disorders and breastfeeding practices in obese mothers. Study design Prospective, case–control study. Subjects Participants included 25 obese (BMI > 30 kg/m 2 ) and 25 normal-weight puerperae, matched for parity and delivery route. Outcome measures The participants completed the Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-2), investigating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms of eating disorders before they were discharged from the maternity hospital and later participated in telephone interviews concerning breastfeeding practices which were classified according to WHO definitions. Results Although none of the scores fell in the pathological range, the obese mothers had more and more pronounced symptoms of eating disorders in all EDI-2 subscales with respect to normal-weight mothers. They had, in particular, significantly higher scores in body dissatisfaction (p  Conclusions While the obese mothers studied have more pronounced symptoms of eating disorders with respect to their normal-weight counterparts, they tended to maintain breastfeeding longer, postponing weaning.