Eating Disorders in Postpartum mothers

Key things to know What the evidence shows
How common is it? Not established clean pooled postpartum prevalence
Is it more common among postpartum mothers? Existing EDs may persist, remit or recur postpartum
Are postpartum mothers at higher risk? Yes for recurrence/persistence and body-image/eating changes
How much higher is the risk? NE
How often can it be missed? Very High
Does it show up differently among postpartum mothers? Strong Yes
How might it look different? Pressure to “lose baby weight,” breastfeeding demands, sleep loss and body changes can trigger persistence/relapse
What commonly occurs alongside it? Postpartum depression/anxiety
What can it be confused with? Depression-related appetite change; breastfeeding-related hunger/weight change
Common screening tool SCOFF
Separate screening tool for postpartum mothers None universal
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