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Effect of Body Image on Pregnancy Weight Gain

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Abstract

The majority of women gain more weight during pregnancy than what is recommended. Since gestational weight gain is related to short and long-term maternal health outcomes, it is important to identify women at greater risk of not adhering to guidelines. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between body image and gestational weight gain. The Body Image Assessment for Obesity tool was used to measure ideal and current body sizes in 1,192 women participating in the Pregnancy, Infection and Nutrition Study. Descriptive and multivariable techniques were used to assess the effects of ideal body size and discrepancy score (current—ideal body sizes), which reflected the level of body dissatisfaction, on gestational weight gain. Women who preferred to be thinner had increased risk of excessive gain if they started the pregnancy at a BMI ≤26 kg/m2 but a decreased risk if they were overweight or obese. Comparing those who preferred thin body silhouettes to those who preferred average size silhouettes, low income women had increased risk of inadequate weight gain [RR = 1.76 (1.08, 2.88)] while those with lower education were at risk of excessive gain [RR = 1.11 (1.00, 1.22)]. Our results revealed that body image was associated with gestational weight gain but the relationship is complex. Identifying factors that affect whether certain women are at greater risk of gaining outside of guidelines may improve our ability to decrease pregnancy-related health problems.

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Acknowledgments

This study received support from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health (HD37584, HD39373), the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK61981, DK56350, RR00046), and the Carolina Population Center.

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No conflicts of interest exist.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Ushma J. Mehta

  2. Departments of Epidemiology and Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Anna Maria Siega-Riz

  3. Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Amy H. Herring

  4. Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina, 123W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC, 27514, USA

    Anna Maria Siega-Riz & Amy H. Herring

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  1. Ushma J. Mehta
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Correspondence to Anna Maria Siega-Riz.

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Mehta, U.J., Siega-Riz, A.M. & Herring, A.H. Effect of Body Image on Pregnancy Weight Gain. Matern Child Health J 15, 324–332 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0578-7

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