Effect of body image on gestational weight gain in overweight and obese women

Aug 8, 2013Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives

How Body Image Relates to Weight Gain During Pregnancy in Overweight and Obese Women

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Abstract

Of the 442 women evaluated, 25.8% correctly identified their BMI.

The majority of participants, 70.1%, under-estimated their BMI.
Obese women and younger women were less likely to accurately identify their BMI.
Women who misidentified their BMI tended to have higher gestational weight gain (P<0.001).
Approximately 45% of women expressed dissatisfaction with their weight or body shape.
Dissatisfaction with body image was more prevalent among women with higher BMI and greater parity.
There is a significant relationship between body image dissatisfaction and gestational weight gain.

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PROBLEM OR BACKGROUND: There is little information available describing how women who are overweight or obese in pregnancy perceive their bodies, and in particular the effect of body image dissatisfaction on gestational weight gain.

QUESTION: To describe how women who are overweight or obese in pregnancy perceive their body, and the effect of body image on gestational weight gain.

METHODS: This prospective nested cohort study evaluated self estimation of body weight, preferred body shape, dieting behavior, satisfaction with body weight and shape, and gestational weight gain in pregnant women who were overweight or obese, through self-completed questionnaire in early pregnancy in South Australia from October 2010 to February 2012.

FINDINGS: Of the 442 women who completed the questionnaire, 25.8% correctly identified their BMI, with 70.1% under-estimating and 4.1% over-estimating their BMI. Women who were obese were significantly less likely to correctly identify their BMI, as were younger women. Women who incorrectly identified their BMI were significantly more likely to have higher gestational weight gain (P<0.001). Approximately 45% of women indicated dissatisfaction with their weight or body shape, with this being more common in women of higher parity and higher BMI. Dissatisfaction was significantly related to gestational weight gain.

CONCLUSION: Women who report increasing dissatisfaction with their body size and shape are more likely to gain excessive weight during pregnancy. Further research should explore insights about maternal body image and diet related behaviors.

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Effect of body image on gestational weight gain in overweight and obese women

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