Body image concerns and reduced breastfeeding duration in primiparous overweight and obese women

Abstract Background Body image concerns have been widely documented in the literature as one reason why most women shorten the breastfeeding duration of their infants. Negative body image concerns among breastfeeding mothers may lead to depressive symptoms. There is a paucity of literature on how body image affects the breastfeeding practices of nurses and midwives. Therefore, this study explored the perspectives of breastfeeding nurses and midwives on how their body image affected their breastfeeding practices. Methods A qualitative design was used in this study. Five focus group discussions were conducted with each group having five members. The study was conducted in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana between November and December of 2020. Participants were recruited into the study using a purposive sampling method. Focus group sessions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using a content analysis. Results Three main themes emerged from the data analysis: body image concerns and breastfeeding, sociocultural pressures and breastfeeding and coping strategies. Participants had concerns regarding weight gain due to the need to eat adequately while breastfeeding. Body image concerns included increase in abdominal size, sagging breasts and generalized weight gain. These concerns and pressures negatively affected the breastfeeding practices of participants. Body image concerns reflected sociocultural pressures such as negative comments from loved ones and in the social media. The coping strategies adopted by the mothers were self-motivation and the love they had for their children. Conclusions The perspectives of breastfeeding nurses and midwives on the ways their body image affected their breastfeeding practices identified the need for support in order to successfully breastfeed.

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Body image concerns in obese women seeking bariatric surgery

Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care ◽

10.1108/eihsc-11-2013-0044 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 96-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Amrita Ghai ◽

Irena Milosevic ◽

Michele Laliberte ◽

Valerie H. Taylor ◽

Randi E. McCabe

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Bariatric Surgery ◽

Body Image ◽

Image Quality ◽

Obese Women ◽

Content Type ◽

Body Image Concern ◽

Appearance Satisfaction ◽

Body Image Concerns

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess multidimensional body image concerns in a sample of obese women seeking bariatric surgery at an outpatient hospital clinic in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of obese adult women seeking bariatric surgery at an outpatient medical clinic in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada (n=148) completed various self-report measures of body image concerns, including body image dysphoria, body image quality of life, body image investment, and appearance satisfaction. Participant scores were compared to normative data. Correlations between body image concern measures and body mass index (BMI) were examined. Findings – Participants endorsed more body image dysphoria, more negative body image quality of life, and less appearance satisfaction than normative samples. BMI was not correlated with body image concern scores. Practical implications – Interventions aimed at reducing body image disturbance in obese women should target multiple components of body image concern. Decisions about who should receive interventions should not be based on BMI status. Originality/value – The majority of research on body image concerns focuses exclusively on evaluative constructs such as body image dissatisfaction. The current study examined affective, cognitive, and behavioural body image constructs. A better understanding of the multidimensional nature of body image concerns in obese women seeking bariatric surgery informs the development of effective, targeted interventions.

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