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Weight stigma in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods: A systematic review of women's perspectives

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Dever, Michelle, Skouteris, Helen, Incollingo Rodriguez, Angela C., Hailu, Haimanot, Galvin, Emma, Hill, Briony·2025·Obesity Reviews
DOI 10.1111/obr.13891PMC PMC11964796
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Abstract

Summary: Weight stigma presents a significant challenge for women throughout the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum (PPP) periods, manifesting in multiple areas of life, including interpersonal relationships, healthcare settings, and broader social contexts. This systematic review investigates weight stigma in women across their reproductive years, examining its impact, and exploring the socioecological factors that contribute to its persistence. We searched Medline, PsycINFO, Embase, Maternity and Infant Care (MIDIRS), and Global Health for peer‐reviewed articles published since 2010. Of the 3486 records identified, 38 were included in a narrative synthesis. Inductive thematic analysis was used to explore women's personal experiences of weight stigma. We then applied a socioecological lens to examine the interrelationships between individual, interpersonal, organizational, and societal factors contributing to weight stigma. Five overarching themes were identified: (1) the impact of weight stigma on PPP women; (2) weight stigma experiences across the socioecological contexts; (3) coping strategies; (4) women's voices as a call to action; and (5) interrelationships of weight stigma contexts. Our findings provide critical insights into the multifaceted nature of weight stigma, highlighting the need for future research, and the development of practical strategies that prioritize women's perspectives, and challenge harmful societal norms for positive change.

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Authors
Dever, M., Skouteris, H., Incollingo Rodriguez, A. C., Hailu, H., Galvin, E., & Hill, B.
Affiliations
  • Monash University (AU)
  • Psychological & Cognitive Sciences, Department of Social Science & Policy Studies Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester MA USA
Corresponding author
Hill, Briony
ORCID
Venue
Obesity Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2025-02-03
Volume
26
Issue
5
Pages
e13891-e13891
ISSN
  • 1467-7881 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-789X
DOI
10.1111/obr.13891
PMC
PMC11964796
OpenAlex
W4407115305
Cited by
26
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 7
FWCI
2.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Obesity Reviews (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Monash University
  • Australian Research Council (DP220101107, DE230100704)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
Keywords
weight stigma, preconception period, pregnancy, postpartum period, women's experiences, socio-ecological model, coping strategies, health care discrimination, interpersonal relationships, social norms, maternal health
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Female, Humans, Obesity, Pregnancy, Postpartum Period, Social Stigma

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