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The British Journal of Psychiatry (2005) 187: 268-273
© 2005 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Early experiences and their relationship to maternal eating disorder symptoms, both lifetime and during pregnancy

R. Senior, MRCPsych

Leopold Muller Centre for Child and Family Mental Health, and The Tavistock Clinic, London

J. Barnes, PhD

Institute for the Study of Children, Families and Social Issues, University of London

J. R. Emberson, MSc

Primary Care and Populations Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London

J. Golding, PhD

Unit of Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, Institute of Child Health, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

on behalf of the ALSPAC Study Team

Correspondence: Dr R. Senior, Leopold Muller Centre for Child and Family Mental Health, Rowland Hill Street, London NW3 2PF, UK. E-mail: rsenior{at}tavi-port.nhs.uk

Declaration of interest None.

Background There is some evidence that early sexual abuse is an aetiological factor for eating disorder. However, there is sparse information from large-scale, non-clinical studies.

Aims This study was designed to explore which early experiences, recalled during pregnancy, were associated with both lifetime and antenatal eating disorder symptoms in a community sample.

Method Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted of data from questionnaires administered during pregnancy to a community sample of pregnant women.

Results Recall of parental mental health problems and of early unwanted sexual experiences were independently associated with both lifetime eating problems, laxative use and vomiting during pregnancy, and marked concern during pregnancy over shape and weight.

Conclusions There are public health implications for these results. Eating disorders in mothers represent a risk for child development. It may be important to enquire during pregnancy about a history of eating problems and to provide the opportunity for early experiences to be discussed.


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