Topic:  Eating Disorders in the Perinatal Period

This unit covers the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment of eating disorders and the interaction of eating disorders with the female reproductive cycle.  There are three self-study segments, with eating disorder basics, eating disorders and preconception and sexual health, and eating disorders and menopause. Classroom activities include a progressive case conference on eating disorders through the perinatal period and a “Family Feud” type exercise on the comorbidity of eating disorders and substance use disorders.  Finally, there is a classroom activity on screening for eating disorders in the perinatal period, which can be combined with one of the other two modules.  The media module covers pro-eating disorder sites.

The recommended order of modules is:

Self-Study: Eating Disorder Basics
Self-Study: Preconception and Sexual Health
Self-Study: Menopause
Classroom: ED through the Perinatal Period
Classroom: Screening for ED in the Perinatal Period (may be combined with above or below)
Classroom: Co-morbid ED and Substance Use Disorders
Media Module

Objectives

  • Understand unique clinical challenges that come up in pregnancy in women with eating disorders.

  • Learn to assess maternal and fetal risks posed by active eating disorder in pregnancy and formulate a treatment plan.

  • Summarize relevant literature on eating disorders during menopause.

Self-Study

Classroom