Bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa during pregnancy can lead to

• Inappropriate weight change, either excessive or inadequate.
• Low infant birth weight,
• Miscarriage, prematurity, fetal maldevelopment and
• Low Apgar scores.

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by food as the primary coping mechanism.

• Repeat episodes of binge eating.
• Sense of lack of control.
• Unduly and inappropriately fixated on weight and body image.
• Inappropriate compensating behavior two times per week for three months.
  • Induced vomiting
  • Laxatives or diuretics
  • Fasting
  • Excessive exercise
• Most bulimic patients are of normal or above normal weight.
• College educated women make up 85%.
• Substance abuse (drug and alcohol) disorder in 10-50%
• Co-morbid psychiatric conditions:
  • depression,
  • anxiety,
  • passivity,
  • codependency.

What can be done to help?