About this episode

This episode discusses how maternal anorexia nervosa may influence children's mental health and neurodevelopment.

In this episode of the Mind the Kids , Clara Faria speaks with Professor Nathalie Auger and Professor Howard Steiger about new research exploring how maternal anorexia nervosa may influence children’s mental health and neurodevelopment. Using a large population-based cohort, the study examines links between maternal eating disorders and outcomes such as anorexia nervosa, attentional difficulties, and other psychiatric risks in offspring. The discussion highlights the role of genetic vulnerability, environmental exposure, and epigenetic mechanisms, offering a nuanced understanding of how risk is transmitted across generations. The episode also considers important clinical implications, including the benefits of early treatment, the importance of reducing stigma, and how supporting maternal mental health can improve outcomes for future generations. A must-listen for professionals in child and adolescent mental health, psychiatry, psychology, and anyone interested in eating disorders and developmental research. Read the CAMH journal paper ‘Maternal anorexia nervosa and risk of mental and neurodevelopmental morbidity in offspring' Sam Amar, Gabriel Côté-Corriveau, Mimi Israël, Howard…

People in this episode

Host: Clara Faria

Guests: Professor Nathalie Auger, Professor Howard Steiger

Topics covered

• maternal anorexia
• offspring mental health
• eating disorders
• neurodevelopment
• psychiatric risks
• clinical implications

Keywords

• maternal mental health
• anorexia nervosa
• genetic vulnerability
• environmental exposure
• epigenetic mechanisms
• early treatment
• stigma reduction

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Books & works: Maternal anorexia nervosa and risk of mental and neurodevelopmental morbidity in offspring

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