The majority of us are well aware of the pressure to be perfectly slim and sculpted. Now the stress of looking svelte has reached pregnant women, some of whom have begun dieting and exercising excessively to be thin. To describe this latest phenomenon, the press has chosen “pregorexia,” — following in the footsteps of other trendy terms like drunkorexia and orthorexia — and the media and blogosphere have been abuzz about it all week. New Zealand and England in particular have seen an increase in expectant moms restricting their eating and upping their workouts to try to stay trim.
Not surprisingly, like the pressure for the perfect six-pack and toned thighs, the pressure to be a fit, trendy mom trickles down from the media and Hollywood. It’s tough not to pay attention to the images of slim and trim celebrities — with petite frames and tiny baby bumps just days before they’re due — or focus on the magazine covers revealing post-pregnancy weight-loss secrets.
A prime example of these secret solutions comes to us from The New York Daily News . In a celeb’s arsenal, the article explains, you’ll find breastfeeding, the mommy makeover (made up of a tummy tuck, breast lift and liposuction and increasingly requested by moms) and lots of working out. Interestingly, even a C-section can promote weight-loss. According to one doctor:
“Your body is trying to repair itself and that stimulates your metabolism. Plus you’re usually on a liquid diet for the first few days afterward. You can lose about 10 pounds. So if you keep that off, watch your diet and get back to exercising, you can look really good.”
This sends a dangerous, unhealthy message to expectant moms that a) a pregnant woman’s body isn’t beautiful, unless it’s thin, of course; b) the most important thing to focus on after giving birth is weight-loss at all costs; and c) you must be perfect.
Expectant moms have to maintain a perfect balance between not gaining too much weight — which comes with its own health risks — and gaining enough, writes the body image blog, 5 Resolutions to Transform the Fashion and Beauty Industries.
And not putting on enough pounds can also have dire consequences. Fox News cites a recent study that found, “Gaining too little weight during pregnancy is associated with poor fetal growth, lower birth weight and the chance of a baby’s being born prematurely.”
So, what can the average woman do?
For starters, keep in mind that celebrity moms have an army of professionals clamoring to help them. Mom and author Suzanne Schlosberg told MSNBC:
“They’ve [celebs] got somebody to take care of baby while they do their workouts with their $250-an-hour trainer. They’ve got a fancy personal chef creating their perfect 200-calorie meals. It’s not an even playing field. They have all these advantages that real people don’t have.”
Also, check out inspiring Web sites like Theshapeofamother.com, which includes photos of real moms, who aren’t airbrushed, haven’t had plastic surgery and are proud of their bodies.
Finally, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor or seek a therapist. Be honest with yourself about what you’re feeling and the struggles you’re going through. Reach out to friends and family — you’ll find that many moms relate to your experiences.
(9 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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14 Responses to “The Growing Phenomenon of Pregorexia” (Pingbacks/trackbacks not shown below)
Thank you for addressing this. I have to admit I looked at Jennifer Lopez during her pregnancy and thought to myself smugly, “She’s gained a ton of weight and has developed a double chin.” Lopez was considerably puffy and swollen toward the end of her pregnancy but it encouraged me that even celebs could gain some weight and look like a normal woman too.
You’re welcome. It’s interesting that these days we’re so used to seeing thin pregnant celebrities (as if that’s the norm) that it’s refreshing and gratifying to see someone who actually looks normal. It’s terrible that many pregnant women feel this pressure and that our culture of thinness only fuels it. Thanks for your comment.
I am tall and thin, I always have been. I gain only 25 lb’s with each of my 3 pregnany’s. I also lost my pregnany weight very quickly without exercise or diet. I was just born with good genitic’s. I think that that is also true of many celeb. Many got into the industry through modeling. You have to be tall and thin for that. So, in short, some folks have it easier in the first place.
Mike Smith at 5:14 am on
August 18th, 2008
I read about this last month at Brain Blogger: http://brainblogger.com/2008/07/18/dying-to-be-a-good-mom-eating-disorders-pregnancy/
Definitely disturbing though, no matter how you put the pieces together. The media builds celebrities and the “thin” image up so much that kids, teens and adults are brainwashed into believing that this is the norm. To me, it’s a load of B.S. and the results of their actions are horrific.
Excellent article! Mike, thank you for posting the link. Also, great point. The pressure to get thin is difficult enough for adults; the frightening thing is what it does to children.
Sarah, very true that many celebs have an easier time losing weight, simply due to genetics. It’s unacceptable when everyone, no matter their genetics and body type, is expected to be thin and criticized for not achieving weight-loss fast enough.
Importantly, we know that being thin doesn’t mean a person is healthy. And that’s where we should put the emphasis on - not on looking fit but actually being healthy and active.
Ursula at 1:21 pm on
August 20th, 2008
Margarita wrote: “Importantly, we know that being thin doesn’t mean a person is healthy. And that’s where we should put the emphasis on - not on looking fit but actually being healthy and active.”
I am in total agreement with you! To that last sentence I want to add “AND HAPPY!”
Great point, Ursula! I absolutely agree!
Dr. Fay at 9:31 am on
August 23rd, 2008
The health of mother and baby need to come first. Every health care provider educates moms to be on the weight gain needed to grow a healthy baby. Of note–breast feeding is best for baby and mother, and also helps moms return to their pre-baby weight!
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Thank you for addressing this. I have to admit I looked at Jennifer Lopez during her pregnancy and thought to myself smugly, “She’s gained a ton of weight and has developed a double chin.” Lopez was considerably puffy and swollen toward the end of her pregnancy but it encouraged me that even celebs could gain some weight and look like a normal woman too.
You’re welcome. It’s interesting that these days we’re so used to seeing thin pregnant celebrities (as if that’s the norm) that it’s refreshing and gratifying to see someone who actually looks normal. It’s terrible that many pregnant women feel this pressure and that our culture of thinness only fuels it. Thanks for your comment.
I am tall and thin, I always have been. I gain only 25 lb’s with each of my 3 pregnany’s. I also lost my pregnany weight very quickly without exercise or diet. I was just born with good genitic’s. I think that that is also true of many celeb. Many got into the industry through modeling. You have to be tall and thin for that. So, in short, some folks have it easier in the first place.
I read about this last month at Brain Blogger: http://brainblogger.com/2008/07/18/dying-to-be-a-good-mom-eating-disorders-pregnancy/
Definitely disturbing though, no matter how you put the pieces together. The media builds celebrities and the “thin” image up so much that kids, teens and adults are brainwashed into believing that this is the norm. To me, it’s a load of B.S. and the results of their actions are horrific.
Excellent article! Mike, thank you for posting the link. Also, great point. The pressure to get thin is difficult enough for adults; the frightening thing is what it does to children.
Sarah, very true that many celebs have an easier time losing weight, simply due to genetics. It’s unacceptable when everyone, no matter their genetics and body type, is expected to be thin and criticized for not achieving weight-loss fast enough.
Importantly, we know that being thin doesn’t mean a person is healthy. And that’s where we should put the emphasis on - not on looking fit but actually being healthy and active.
Margarita wrote: “Importantly, we know that being thin doesn’t mean a person is healthy. And that’s where we should put the emphasis on - not on looking fit but actually being healthy and active.”
I am in total agreement with you! To that last sentence I want to add “AND HAPPY!”
Great point, Ursula! I absolutely agree!
The health of mother and baby need to come first. Every health care provider educates moms to be on the weight gain needed to grow a healthy baby. Of note–breast feeding is best for baby and mother, and also helps moms return to their pre-baby weight!
