Pregorexia, a colloquial term combining "pregnancy" and "anorexia," refers to the phenomenon of restrictive eating behaviors and excessive exercise during pregnancy, driven by the fear of weight gain. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the implications of pregorexia for fetal physiological processes. Pregorexia represents a critical yet underresearched area within prenatal health, characterized by pregnant individuals who exhibit anorexic behaviors, including extreme dietary restriction and compulsive exercise. This condition poses significant risks not only to the mother's health but also to fetal development. The purpose of this review is to examine the existing literature on how pregorexia affects fetal physiological processes, providing a comprehensive understanding of the potential adverse outcomes.

A systematic review of peer-reviewed articles and clinical studies was conducted, focusing on the impact of maternal eating disorders on fetal development. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using keywords including "pregorexia," "pregnancy," "anorexia nervosa," "fetal development," and "physiological processes."

The findings indicate that pregorexia can lead to several detrimental effects on fetal physiological processes. Key areas of concern include: Nutrient Deficiency: Maternal malnutrition resulting from pregorexia compromises the availability of essential nutrients, critical for fetal growth and organ development. Deficiencies in macro- and micronutrients can result in Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), low birth weight, and preterm birth. Placental Function: Altered maternal nutrition and stress levels associated with pregorexia affect placental function, impairing nutrient and oxygen transfer to the fetus. This can lead to hypoxia and subsequent developmental anomalies. Metabolic Programming: Exposure to maternal undernutrition can induce epigenetic changes that program the fetus for future metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and cardiovasc