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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Maternity care providers’ attitudes and beliefs toward weight and body size during pregnancy: A cross-sectional survey
Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare, Vol.46, pp.1-9
2025
PMID: 40975910
Abstract
Background: Weight stigma is pervasive in society and negatively affects the quality of maternity care for women with larger bodies. Healthcare providers’ attitudes and beliefs about weight and larger bodied people contribute to experiences of weight stigma, yet the extent of weight stigma attitudes and beliefs in Australian maternity care providers is not known.
Objective: This study aimed to explore maternity care providers’ attitudes and beliefs regarding weight and body size during pregnancy.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey with Australian maternity care providers, using the Fat Attitudes Assessment Toolkit (FAAT), with an open-ended ‘any other comments’ text response, was undertaken. Quantitative responses were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative inductive content analysis.
Results: Maternity care providers (n = 243) from across Australia responded to the survey. Responses indicated a strong emphasis on empathy towards larger bodied pregnant women, with providers acknowledging the socioeconomic and societal impact on the complexity of weight and body size. Responses also highlighted providers’ internalised weight stigma. Free-text responses reflected mixed views on the balance between addressing health risks and avoiding weight stigma, with a need for more resources and education on weight-inclusive care.
Conclusion: Maternity care providers are aware of the complexities of caring for larger bodied women. Tailored interventions that promote empathy and reduce weight-based discrimination are recommended.
Details
- Title
- Maternity care providers’ attitudes and beliefs toward weight and body size during pregnancy: A cross-sectional survey
- Authors
- Lauren Kearney (Corresponding Author) - The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, AustraliaBec Jenkinson (Author) - The University of QueenslandAnna Robins - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyLeonie Callaway - Royal Brisbane and Women's HospitalJessica van den Heuvel (Author) - The University of QueenslandMelanie Roussin (Author) - The University of QueenslandBriony Hill (Author) - Monash University
- Publication details
- Sexual & Reproductive HealthCare, Vol.46, pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101145
- ISSN
- 1877-5764; 1877-5756
- PMID
- 40975910
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Nursing; School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; School of Health - Midwifery
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991172845502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
Metrics
11 Record Views
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- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
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Source: InCites