A Systematic Scoping Review of Factors Contributing to Loss of Control Eating During Pregnancy

Evidence suggests loss of control eating (LOC) during pregnancy is prevalent and linked to adverse health consequences for birthing individuals and their offspring; however, factors underlying risk for prenatal LOC remain unclear. This systematic scoping review assessed empirical literature on factors related to the development/maintenance of prenatal LOC.

Eligibility criteria for studies required inclusion of participants endorsing prenatal LOC and concurrent or prospective examination of factors in relation to prenatal LOC. Data on study location/design, sample composition, LOC measurement, and associations between factors and LOC were extracted and synthesised.

Most of the 36 included studies were conducted in Western, industrialised nations; with predominantly White-identifying, highly educated samples; cross-sectionally; using single items or binge-spectrum disorder diagnostic criteria. Most demonstrated that transdiagnostic factors found to contribute risk for mental/physical health outcomes among non-pregnant individuals are similarly associated with risk for LOC among pregnant individuals; investigation of factors specific to the prenatal context was comparatively lacking.

Inclusion of marginalised populations, use of validated measures that capture prenatal LOC frequency/severity, prospective and longitudinal data, and more sophisticated analytic approaches are crucial next steps in moving the field towards clarifying the course and mechanisms underlying prenatal LOC.