The impact of becoming a mother on eating problems

Objective: This study examines the relationship between becoming a mother and changes in eating problems. Method: A sample of 1,206 initially childless Norwegian women was followed over a six‐year period and growth curve analyses were conducted. Results: Participants who became mothers over the course of the study showed a greater reduction in eating problems compared to still childless women. This relationship could be explained by a corresponding decrease in alcohol usage and impulsiveness in mothers compared to childless women. At the same time, appearance satisfaction increased comparatively less in mothers, resulting in turn in a reduction of the effect of motherhood on changes in eating problems. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that motherhood has on the whole a positive effect on eating problems. © 2007 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008