Abstract Background Pregnancy and the postpartum period are vulnerable phases, particularly for women with eating disorder (ED) history. While prior nutritional research has mainly focused on pregnancy, little is known about long-term dietary patterns in this population. This study examined dietary intake in women with and without ED history from pregnancy to 3 years postpartum. Methods A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) assessed dietary intake in women with ED history (ED group, T1: active ED: n = 12, past ED: n = 12) and healthy controls (HC group, T1: n = 33). Dietary patterns, food groups, as well as macro- und micronutrient intakes were analysed during pregnancy (T1), 1 year postpartum (T2), and 3 years postpartum (T3). Results Omnivorous diets predominated (T1: 75.4%, T2: 73.2% T3: 74.4%), with no significant differences between groups or over time. However, women with ED history consumed fewer animal-based, energy-dense, sugar- and fat-rich foods. Nutrient intake during pregnancy was comparable between groups. Postpartum, the ED group showed lower fat intake ( p = 0.027, T2) higher fiber intake ( p = 0.037, T3) and lower vitamin B12 intake ( p = 0.031, T3). Conclusion Nutrient supply during pregnancy was comparable between groups, which is encouraging. Differences in food group consumption may reflect a greater health consciousness or residual restrictive behaviors in women with ED history. Given the known increase in ED symptoms after childbirth, these findings emphasize the need to further examine this nutritionally and psychosocially vulnerable period. Level of evidence: Level 3.
Schmidt et al. (2026) studied this question.