Applying a Weight Stigma Lens to Australian and International Obesity-Related Policies for Women Across the Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods: A Mapping Review.

ISSUE ADDRESSED

Weight stigma significantly affects preconception, pregnant and postpartum (PPP) women. Existing policies and guidelines do not adequately address weight stigma and may inadvertently contribute to it. This mapping review aimed to identify gaps in addressing weight stigma in current Australian and international obesity-related policies relevant to PPP women.

METHODS

We conducted a mapping review of Australian state-based and national and international obesity-related policies relevant to PPP women through government websites and guideline databases. Policy screening and data extraction followed three frameworks (Attribution Theory; Health Stigma and Discrimination Framework; Framework for Policy Mobilisation). Analyses were stratified by the policy's direct or indirect relevance to PPP women, and Australian and international policies were compared. Strength and gaps in relation to weight stigma were identified.

RESULTS

Forty-one Australian and 18 international policies were included. Ten (24%) Australian policies explicitly mentioned weight stigma and 13 (31%) met criteria for potentially blaming people for their weight or body size. Acknowledgement of drivers and impacts of weight stigma and adequate mobilisation plans were scarce. Findings were consistent across state and national Australian policies, PPP populations and international comparisons. Strengths of policies comprehensively addressing weight stigma were incorporating lived experience consumers' voices and acknowledging obesity's complex and multifactorial nature. Potential improvements included focussing on nonstigmatising language and discourse.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight stigma is rarely recognised or not adequately addressed in obesity-related policies for PPP women. SO WHAT?: Eliminating weight stigma in policies can improve public narratives around obesity, clinical practice and reproductive-aged women's experiences and outcomes.