People with larger bodies often experience persistent social stigma, facing discrimination in various settings, including the workplace, schools, and healthcare facilities. This issue becomes even more pronounced during different stages of pregnancy, where societal expectations around weight can lead to significant challenges for women.
Monash University researchers have identified that weight stigma is particularly prevalent during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum (PPP) periods. Due to societal norms surrounding weight gain during these stages, pregnant women and new mothers often face discrimination. This form of bias, known as sizeism, can have serious physical and psychological health impacts on both the mother and her child.
To address this issue, researchers from Monash University have developed a new framework called SWIPE (Stigma of Weight In the PPP Experience). This model aims to eliminate weight stigma for women during the PPP periods. The study was led by Dr. Briony Hill and PhD candidate Ms. Haimanot Hailu from Monash’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, with their findings published in the journal Health Psychology Review.
Widespread Stigma in Social and Healthcare Domains
“Women in the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum stages experience weight stigma in nearly every aspect of their lives,” Dr. Hill explained. This includes areas like fertility treatments, prenatal and postpartum healthcare, employment, education, the media, interactions with the general public, other mothers, and even romantic relationships.
Dr. Hill noted that the consequences of this stigma are far-reaching. “Weight stigma towards women of reproductive age leads to psychological stress, avoidance of healthcare, reduced motivation to engage in healthy behaviors, and can even contribute to disordered eating, which further exacerbates obesity.”
A New Approach to Addressing Stigma
While there are existing programs designed to reduce weight stigma in the general population, the researchers found a gap when it comes to targeted interventions for PPP women. To fill this void, the team developed the SWIPE model, which focuses on addressing the root causes of stigma during these critical stages.
SWIPE targets various societal norms that contribute to weight stigma, such as the pressure for women to conform to thinness ideals before pregnancy and the expectation to quickly return to pre-pregnancy body weight. It also examines the environments and policies that reinforce these stigmatizing behaviors.
The study highlights that some of the key drivers of weight stigma include the belief that body size is entirely within an individual’s control. Other factors like race, socioeconomic status, body mass index (BMI), and self-perception of weight also play significant roles in how PPP women experience stigma.
A Tool for Positive Change
Ms. Hailu emphasized that SWIPE is a versatile tool that can be used by researchers and program developers to address weight stigma in various societal settings. “SWIPE provides a clear framework to identify ‘who, what, and how’ to target in order to eliminate weight stigma for PPP women,” she said.
By eliminating weight stigma, the researchers believe it is possible to significantly improve the psychological well-being of PPP women, ensure fair access to healthcare, and promote healthier behaviors. This, in turn, would lead to better physical and mental health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
The SWIPE model is a promising step forward in creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women during the crucial stages of pregnancy and motherhood.
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