Pregorexia is a term that refers to women  afraid of gaining weight during pregnancy  so that they  use extreme dieting and exercising  to control the weight. It is not an actual medical diagnosis. This behavior is very concerning and could harm the unborn child. Pregorexia is rare.
 

Some women worry about weight gain and body image during pregnancy. These people are at risk of this condition. Other people  at risk of pregorexia are those who have a history of eating disorders and those with a weak social system.

What are the warning signs for pregorexia ?

 
The warning signs include the following :

• eating alone or skipping meals
• exercising excessively
• focusing heavily on calorie count
• talking about pregnancy as if it weren’t real

Risk of not getting enough food during pregnancy ?

 
Not gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy increases your risk for a miscarriage and other pregnancy complications such as low birth weight and premature birth. Restricting your food intake could deny your baby of the adequate nutrients he needs for proper development in utero.

If you have any body image concerns or have  problems with your pregnancy, share your concerns with your health care provider. He will help you determine the right amount of weight you need to gain during pregnancy based on your pre pregnancy weight and body mass index. He will also explain healthy lifestyle habits  and proper nutrition to control your  weight gain.