Nearly 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. An even larger proportion—nearly a quarter of all children and adolescents worldwide—suffer from eating disorders, a preoccupation with food and one’s body that can lead to food restriction, binge eating, meal skipping, mental health problems, and eating disorders.
Although women are twice as likely to develop an eating disorder, many of the effects of the disorder, including its impact on decisions about whether or not to have a child, are rarely discussed.
A new survey from Equip, a virtual treatment platform for eating disorders, found that one in 10 women delay trying to conceive because of their eating disorder. A third of women with a history of an eating disorder or binge eating report feeling anxious about the effects of pregnancy. Many said they fear unwarranted touching or comments about their bodies and weight – not to mention societal pressure to look a certain way or bounce back after giving birth.
The results also show that 61% of women surveyed who currently have an eating disorder or have suffered from one of these conditions in the past say they had difficulty caring for their bodies, including nutrition, during pregnancy.
The survey included responses from nearly 700 women with a history of eating disorders or disordered eating. Respondents overwhelmingly reported feelings of guilt and shame about the way their conditions affected their fertility journey.
A silent crisis
The combined effects of eating disorders have been largely overlooked and under-researched. One in three women are afraid to disclose their eating disorder or disordered eating behaviour to a reproductive health professional. Almost a quarter say they would not have sought help for their disorder if they were not trying to have a child. The fears are not unfounded, as those who have spoken openly about their experiences say they have not felt supported.
Thirty-five percent of respondents said they were advised to lose weight when trying to conceive, with the vast majority (83 percent) saying the advice provoked them.
The survey also shows how eating disorders and disordered eating can affect women’s fertility. Almost 50% of women surveyed who suffer from an eating disorder or disordered eating were infertile, compared to the national average of 11%.
More information about eating disorders and their treatment:
