Psychological, social, and sociocultural factors related to disordered eating behaviour during pregnancy: A systematic review.

This systematic review synthesises psychological, social, and sociocultural factors related to disordered eating behaviour (DEB) during pregnancy. A search of 5 databases (Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), APA PsycInfo, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) identified 40 quantitative studies (28 cross-sectional, 12 longitudinal) including 11,951 women, with sample sizes ranging from 39 to 1470. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS), while results were integrated through narrative synthesis. Significant psychological factors included depressive symptoms, anxiety, body dissatisfaction, adjustment towards pregnancy, and stress. Social factors encompassed perceived social support and relationship satisfaction with a partner, while sociocultural factors included thin-ideal internalisation, drive for thinness, and appearance comparison. Further research is still needed, as understanding the psychological, social, and sociocultural factors related to DEB during pregnancy is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies to ensure adequate maternal and child health.