Beyond expectations: understanding eating symptoms and mental health among pregnant women in Italy

Objective. During pregnancy, the body undergoes extreme changes that can lead to dissatisfaction and a loss of self-esteem. This vulnerability arises from objective physical changes and societal pressures to conform to beauty norms. This study aimed to investigate the presence of eating symptoms and their association with depression and anxiety in a sample of Italian pregnant women. Methods. An ad hoc online survey investigated eating symptoms (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire, EDE-Q), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9, PHQ-9), and anxiety symptoms (General Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7). Correlations and multistep linear regression analyzed associations between eating symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Results. Within our sample (N = 711), one in ten subjects reported eating symptoms during pregnancy, with nearly half experiencing symptoms indicative of anxiety and depression. Eating symptoms were found to be associated with anxious-depressive symptoms and with a history of depression. Conclusions. The conspicuous prevalence of eating symptoms, associated with depression and anxiety, suggests considering the issue of body experience as an indicative marker of perinatal emotional distress. This justifies the need for in-depth exploration within clinical settings, where opportunities for therapeutic interventions can be explored.