Predictors of body image dissatisfaction among women at different stages of pregnancy:A cross-sectional study

Objective: To explore the levels and predictors of body image dissatisfaction among women at different stages of pregnancy. Design: This was a cross-sectional study design.Setting and participants: A total of 863 Chinese pregnant women were recruited from a tertiary hospital via a convenience sampling method.Measurement and findings: Eligible participants completed a demographic questionnaire and self-reported measures of body image dissatisfaction, pregnancy-related anxiety, prenatal depression, and appearance comparison. Results showed no statistical difference in body image dissatisfaction levels among early-mid pregnancy (47.6 +/- 6.17), late-mid pregnancy (47.3 +/- 7.56), and late pregnancy stages (48.4 +/- 6.22). The generalized linear model showed that gestational weight gain, pregnancy-related anxiety, own/family's perception of pregnancy weight, and current ideal weight change were predictors of body image dissatisfaction in the early-mid pregnancy stage. In addition, pre-pregnancy BMI, appearance comparison, own /family's perception of pregnancy weight, current ideal weight change, and overeating during pregnancy significantly predicted body image dissatisfaction in the late-mid pregnancy stage. Predictors of body image dissatisfaction in the late pregnancy stage comprised planned pregnancy, pre-pregnancy eating disorders, own perception of pregnancy weight, current ideal weight change, pregnancy-related anxiety, and prenatal depression.Key conclusion and implication for practice: The findings suggest that predictors of body image dissatisfaction differed according to pregnancy stage. Self-perception of pregnancy weight was primary predictor of body image dissatisfaction. Healthcare professionals are recommended to provide prenatal health education to reduce own/ family's negative perception of pregnancy weight, so as to alleviate the body image dissatisfaction level of pregnant women.