Final answer:
The most common eating disorder among pregnant women in the United States is binge eating disorder, characterized by episodes of excessive food consumption without purging. It poses significant health risks for both the mother and the fetus and requires appropriate treatment to promote healthy eating habits and manage the disorder.
Step-by-step explanation:
Eating Disorders During Pregnancy
The eating disorder most commonly observed among pregnant women in the United States is binge eating disorder. This condition is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without the regular use of compensatory methods to avoid weight gain, such as purging, seen in bulimia nervosa. Binge eating can lead to significant health issues for both the mother and the developing fetus, including potential complications from gestational diabetes, hypertension, and increased birth weight.
Pregnancy can increase the risk or severity of eating disorders due to the body changes and stress associated with this period. Treatment for eating disorders during pregnancy is important to ensure the health of both the mother and baby. It can include counseling and, in some cases, medication, with a focus on establishing healthy eating patterns and coping strategies.