Excessive food restriction affects the endocrine system and may interrupt ovulation, resulting in menstrual irregularity and infertility. But many women are still able to become pregnant while suffering from an eating disorder.

Unfortunately, there are many potential complications of pregnancy for those who suffer from eating disorders. Some of these include gestational diabetes, toxemia of pregnancy, low birth weight, birth defects, labor complications with increased need for a C-section, and postpartum depression.

Those persons with eating disorder who become pregnant should be honest with the doctor so that he or she can help provide the proper tools for a healthy pregnancy, including appropriate therapy and a dietician for nutrition advice.

Reuters Health reports that adolescents who have issues with their body image, shape or weight are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or sexual preoccupation. A study conducted at Brown Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island, found that one third of all teens admitted to psychiatric hospitals are so affected by their body image disorders that they have difficulties with normal functions and behaviors. The results of the study suggests teenagers need to be screened for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and other body image issues. Body dysmorphic disorder is a when a person suffers from a debilitating preoccupation with their appearance. Learn more about the study from Reuters online.

Gym and health club owners have increasingly become concerned about clients who over-exercise, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), a trade organization for the U.S. fitness industry. This concern is substantiated by a recent Italian study which suggests that as many as one in five regular gym-goers may have an eating disorder or "anorexia athletica," a condition in which a person obsessively exercises.

Inquiries from gym and health club owners about those who exercise excessively and have lost so much weight that other club members have expressed concern prompted the IHRSA to draft guidelines for those in the fitness industry. The guidelines offer suggestions for screening clients for unhealthy exercise behaviors and referring them for medical attention if necessary.

While health club owners in other parts of the world such as Australia have gone so far as to ban over-zealous gym goers, the Americans With Disabilities Act protects people with eating disorders from such treatment in the U.S.. Nevertheless, health club owners are increasing their vigilance to help those who exercise too much.