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

OBJECTIVE: 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. METHOD: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSIONS: 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.