Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: During pregnancy, women experience various physiological changes that can impact them psychologically. Lifestyle modifications such as eating behaviors and physical activity during this period are major determinants of pregnancy outcomes, child development, and maternal health. Also, body transformations during this period could reactivate concerns regarding body image and introduce anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and eating behavior issues. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between body image and eating behaviors in pregnant women.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study that involved 194 pregnant women. We administered a questionnaire to explore their sociodemographic characteristics, gynecological-obstetric history, and current pregnancy. In addition, we assessed the nutritional status of these women using the FIGO checklist, evaluated their body image using the BAQ, and screened for eating disorders using the SCOFF tool.

Results: Our study found that 95.5% of the participants had an unhealthy diet that required further revision with a nutritionist. Among pregnant women, 66.5% consumed fruits and vegetables in moderation, while whole foods were the least consumed. More than half (58.8%) of the women in our study consumed pastries five times a week. The mean score for the Body Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) was 140.7±17, with scores ranging from 87 to 200. Additionally, 32% of the women were found to be at risk of developing an eating disorder based on the results of the SCOFF. Although there was no significant association between the SCOFF and the BAQ, the SCOFF was positively correlated with some subscales of the BAQ.

Conclusion: Our results stress the need for evaluating the nutritional status of pregnant women and monitoring their psychological well-being to address the risk of developing eating disorders.