Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstraße 10, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
Leipzig University Medical Center, IFB AdiposityDiseases, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 27, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Sep 20;22(1):719. doi: 10.1186/s12884-022-05050-x.
During pregnancy, women`s bodies undergo rapid changes in body weight and body size within a relatively short period of time. Pregnancy may therefore be associated with an increased vulnerability for the development of body image dissatisfaction that has been linked to adverse health outcomes for mother and child. The present study aims to examine changes in body image during pregnancy as well as predictors of body image dissatisfaction. This is the first study using a tailored, multidimensional measure of body image especially developed for the pregnant population.
A prospective longitudinal design with a quantitative approach was applied. Healthy pregnant women (N = 222) were assessed using standardized instruments at two time points (T1: 18th-22th week of gestation, T2: 33th-37th week of gestation). The impact of demographic, weight- and health-related, behavioral, and psychological factors assessed at T1 on body image dissatisfaction at T1 and T2 was examined using stepwise linear regression analyses.
T-tests for paired samples revealed that dissatisfaction with strength-related aspects of body image, dissatisfaction with body parts, and concerns about sexual attractiveness increased significantly from the middle to the end of pregnancy. In contrast, preoccupation with appearance, dissatisfaction with complexion, and prioritization of appearance over function were significantly reduced over time. Stepwise linear regression analyses revealed that factors influencing body image depend on the component of body image investigated. Overall, a low level of self-esteem and a high level of pregnancy-specific worries were risk factors for several components of body image dissatisfaction. Besides these, poor sleep quality, low levels of physical activity, disturbed eating behavior, and higher levels of BMI and weight gain were significant predictors.
The results highlight the multidimensional nature of body image and show positive as well as negative changes during pregnancy. Overall, modifiable psychological, behavioral, and weight-related factors appear relevant to the extent of body image dissatisfaction.
怀孕期间，女性的体重和体型在相对较短的时间内迅速变化。因此，怀孕可能会增加对身体形象不满的易感性，而身体形象不满与母婴的不良健康结果有关。本研究旨在检查怀孕期间身体形象的变化以及身体形象不满的预测因素。这是第一项使用专门为孕妇群体开发的多维身体形象量身定制的测量方法的研究。
采用前瞻性纵向设计和定量方法。在两个时间点（T1：妊娠 18-22 周，T2：妊娠 33-37 周）使用标准化工具评估健康孕妇（N=222）。使用逐步线性回归分析，检查 T1 时评估的人口统计学、体重和健康相关、行为和心理因素对 T1 和 T2 时身体形象不满的影响。
配对样本 T 检验显示，从妊娠中期到末期，对身体形象与力量相关方面的不满、对身体部位的不满以及对性吸引力的担忧显著增加。相比之下，对外表的关注、对肤色的不满以及对外表的重视超过功能在时间上显著减少。逐步线性回归分析显示，影响身体形象的因素取决于所研究的身体形象成分。总体而言，低自尊水平和高水平的妊娠特异性担忧是几个身体形象不满成分的危险因素。除此之外，睡眠质量差、身体活动水平低、饮食行为紊乱以及 BMI 和体重增加水平较高也是显著的预测因素。
结果突出了身体形象的多维性质，并显示了怀孕期间的积极和消极变化。总体而言，可改变的心理、行为和体重相关因素与身体形象不满的程度相关。
