The Psychology of Eating: From Healthy to Disordered Behavior

Eating Disorders 223

or hydrocephalus. Some research has also examined the health of children
of anorexic mothers as they grow up. One study suggested that the infants
show catch-up growth in infancy, therefore compensating for being small
at birth (Russell and Treasure, 1988). However, other studies suggest that
the children can develop a range of problems including stunted growth,
poor nutrition, and social and emotional problems (Brinch, Isager, and
Tolstroop, 1988; O’Donoghue, Treasure, and Russell, 1991). From a different
perspective, some research has explored the impact of motherhood in women
who have a diagnosis of an eating disorder. One study focused on maternal
adjustment and indicated that mothers with a history of an eating disorder
show poorer maternal adjustment than those without (Koubaa et al., 2008).
In terms of eating-related problems, however, research indicates that
becoming a mother can be associated with a reduction in eating problems
alongside a reduction in alcohol intake and impulsiveness. In this sample,
however, satisfaction with appearance decreased after having children
(Von Soest and Wichstrom, 2008).

The cardiovascular and nervous systems
Many deaths from anorexia are caused by heart attacks possibly caused by
low levels of calcium or magnesium or a collapse of the mitral value in the
heart (Treasure and Szmukler, 1995). Anorexia is also associated with changes
in the nervous system. For example, brain scans have shown structural
differences between the brains of anorexics compared to normal controls
including reductions in pituitary size, changes in the midbrain area, widen-
ing of sulcal spaces, and cerebroventricular enlargement (Enzman and Lane,
1977; Palazidou, Robinson, and Lishman, 1990; Husain et al., 1992). It has
been suggested that such changes in the central nervous system may be related
to aspects of functioning such as deficits in attention, memory, visuospatial
analysis, and learning (Szmukler et al., 1992). However, evidence for this
remains weak and inconsistent.

Psychological complications

Depression is particularly common among sufferers of anorexia. For
example, in a study of 41 anorexics between 4 and 10 years after initial
presentation, Morgan and Russell (1975) reported that 42 percent were
depressed at presentation and 45 percent were depressed at follow-up.
Similar rates of depression have also been reported by a range of subsequent
researchers. For example, Cantwell et al. (1977) reported a rate of 45 percent;