Exploring weight bias internalization in pregnancy
Date
2022
Authors
Nagpal, Taniya S.
Salas, Ximena Ramos
Vallis, Michael
Piccinini-Vallis, Helena
Alberga, Angela S.
Bell, Rhonda C.
da Silva, Danilo F.
Davenport, Margie H.
Gaudet, Laura
Incollingo Rodriguez, Angela C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Abstract
Background: Recent research has shown that pregnant individuals experience weight stigma throughout gestation,
including negative comments and judgement associated with gestational weight gain (GWG). Weight bias internalization
(WBI) is often a result of exposure to weight stigma and is detrimental to biopsychological health outcomes. The
purpose of this study was to explore WBI in pregnancy and compare scores based on maternal weight-related factors
including pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), obesity diagnosis and excessive GWG.
Methods: Pregnant individuals in Canada and USA completed a modified version of the Adult Weight Bias Internalization
Scale. Self-reported pre-pregnancy height and weight were collected to calculate and classify pre-pregnancy
BMI. Current weight was also reported to calculate GWG, which was then classified as excessive or not based on
Institute of Medicine (2009) guidelines. Participants indicated if they were diagnosed with obesity by a healthcare
provider. Inferential analyses were performed comparing WBI scores according to pre-pregnancy BMI, excessive GWG,
and obesity diagnosis. Significance was accepted as p < 0.05 and effect sizes accompanied all analyses.
Result: 336 pregnant individuals completed the survey, with an average WBI score of 3.9 ± 1.2. WBI was higher
among those who had a pre-pregnancy BMI of obese than normal weight (p = 0.04, η2 = 0.03), diagnosed with obesity
than not diagnosed (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.3), and gained excessively versus not (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.2).
Conclusions: Pregnant individuals who have a higher BMI, obesity and gain excessively may experience WBI. Given
that weight stigma frequently occurs in pregnancy, effective person-oriented strategies are needed to mitigate
stigma and prevent and care for WBI.
Description
Keywords
Pregnancy, Weight bias, Obesity, Maternal health, Stigma
Citation
Nagpal, T. S., Salas, X. R., Vallis, M., Piccinini-Vallis, H., Alberga, A. S., Bell, R. C., . . . Adamo, K. B. (2022). “Exploring weight bias internalization in pregnancy.” BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 22(605). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-022-04940-4