Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, 116 St & 85 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2R3, Canada.
School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
J Immigr Minor Health. 2024 Dec;26(6):1008-1015. doi: 10.1007/s10903-024-01619-0. Epub 2024 Jul 17.
Weight stigma is a social justice issue that can lead to weight-based discrimination and mistreatment. In pregnancy, emerging evidence has highlighted that weight stigma predominantly affects individuals who have larger bodies and is associated with postpartum depression and avoidance of healthcare. Racial and ethnic background will influence perceptions of, and responses to, weight stigma and therefore it is necessary to ensure diverse voices are represented in our understanding of weight stigma. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten women who were within one year postpartum; nine identified as Black or African American and one as Hawaiian. Thematic analysis led to identification of three themes: (1) sources of weight stigma and their response to it, (2) support systems to overcome weight stigma, and (3) intersectional experiences. Women reported that sources of weight stigma included unsolicited comments made about their weight often coming from strangers or healthcare professionals that resulted in emotional distress. Support systems identified were family members and partners who encouraged them to not focus on negative remarks made about weight. Intersectional accounts included comparing their bodies to White women, suggesting that they may carry their weight differently. Women shared that, although they felt immense pressure to lose weight quickly postpartum, motherhood and childcare was their utmost priority. These findings inform further prospective examination of the implications of weight stigma in pregnancy among diverse populations, as well as inform inclusive public health strategies to mitigate weight stigma.
体重歧视是一个社会公正问题，可能导致基于体重的歧视和虐待。在怀孕期间，新出现的证据强调，体重歧视主要影响体型较大的个体，并与产后抑郁和回避医疗保健有关。种族和民族背景会影响对体重歧视的看法和反应，因此有必要确保在我们对体重歧视的理解中代表多样化的声音。对 10 名产后一年内的女性进行了半结构化访谈；其中 9 名自认为是黑人和非裔美国人，1 名自认为是夏威夷人。主题分析确定了三个主题：（1）体重歧视的来源及其应对方式，（2）克服体重歧视的支持系统，以及（3）交叉体验。女性报告说，体重歧视的来源包括陌生人或医疗保健专业人员对她们体重的不请自来的评论，这导致了情绪困扰。确定的支持系统包括鼓励她们不要关注体重负面评论的家庭成员和伴侣。交叉账户包括将自己的身体与白人女性进行比较，表明她们可能会以不同的方式携带体重。女性们表示，尽管她们在产后感到巨大的快速减肥压力，但母亲和育儿是她们的首要任务。这些发现为进一步前瞻性研究不同人群怀孕期间体重歧视的影响提供了信息，并为减轻体重歧视提供了包容性的公共卫生策略。
