Interoception and eating behavior in participants at risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Disordered eating during pregnancy can impact maternal and fetal health. Disordered eating has been linked to higher cardiovascular risks including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Interoceptive awareness, the ability to perceive and respond to bodily sensations, is reduced among people with disordered eating and may be associated with blood pressure (BP). This study tested these associations in pregnant women at risk for HDP.

Ninety-five pregnant women at risk for HDP participated in the study. At ∼18 weeks' gestation we measured 24-hour BP, interoceptive awareness, and disordered eating. Linear regression analyses were used to test associations, adjusting for covariates (BMI, education, income, race).

Greater interoceptive awareness-specifically lower anxiety about bodily sensations ("Not Worrying")-was significantly associated with lower daytime diastolic BP (B=-0.21, p=0.05), lower uncontrolled eating (B=-0.52, p<0.001), and lower emotional eating (B=-0.51, p<0.001). Higher scores on the "Not Worrying" subscale were associated with less uncontrolled eating (B=-0.52, p<0.001) and less Emotional Eating (B=-0.51, p<0.001). Higher scores on the "Attention Regulation" subscale were associated with less uncontrolled eating (B=-0.24, p=0.02) and less emotional eating (B=-0.25, p=0.02). Cognitive Restraint was associated with higher nighttime diastolic BP (B=0.27, p=0.04) but not interoceptive awareness.

Increased interoceptive awareness was associated with both healthier eating behaviors and lower BP in pregnant women at risk for HDP. Interventions that enhance interoceptive awareness may offer a promising strategy for reducing risk for cardiovascular complications in pregnancy.