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Publications

Journal Article Review Epublish

PubMed: 42932112 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-026-00772-x

Weight Stigma in Pregnancy: A Narrative Review of Consequences, Drivers, and Potential Solutions.

Curr Obes Rep 15(1)

Authors: Briony Hill, Haimanot Hailu, Bec Jenkinson, Ahlia Griffiths, Emma Davidsen, Jodie Dodd, Megan Mitchell, Leonie Callaway, Lauren Kearney, Helen Skouteris

Affiliations

  • Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
  • Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Prevention, Health Promotion & Community Care, Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark.
  • Women's and Babies Division, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
  • Robinson Research Institute, College of Health, Adelaide University, Adelaide, Australia.
  • Department of Women's and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia.
  • Department of Women's and Newborn Services, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Herston, Australia. School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
  • Warwick Business School, The University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This narrative review summarises current knowledge of weight stigma in pregnancy including consequences, drivers, and potential solutions.

RECENT FINDINGS

Weight stigma in pregnancy has negative physical, psychosocial, and behavioural sequelae for mothers and their infants. It is an equity issue that compounds disadvantage experienced by marginalised communities. A focus on gestational weight gain in maternity care, particularly for women with a high body mass index has created an environment that perpetuates implicit and explicit weight stigma, negatively impacting women's care. The community, family members, and media are also key weight stigma perpetrators. This stigma pervades societal norms, influencing healthcare environments, practice, and policy. Tackling weight stigma in maternity care requires a shift from weight-centric, stigmatising approaches to more weight-inclusive, woman-centred, and holistic health-focused care. This should be supported by approaches addressing societal and cultural norms and policy change, ultimately leading to improvements in the health and wellbeing of women during pregnancy and beyond.

MeSH

Pregnancy, Solutions, Obesity, Environment