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

Abstract

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.