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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Navigating weight stigma: An integrative review of midwives' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about caring for larger-bodied women
Midwifery, Vol.147, pp.1-12
2025
PMID: 40349478
Abstract
Problem
Women are vulnerable to weight bias during their reproductive years. However, little is known about midwives’ knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about caring for larger bodied women.
Background
Women have reported experiencing weight stigma during interactions with healthcare providers, including midwives. Weight stigma is associated with reduced quality of health and primary healthcare avoidance. In Australia over half of pregnant women are of a higher weight during their reproductive years.
Aim
To describe what is currently known about midwives' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs relating to caring for larger bodied women across the peripartum period.
Methods
An integrative review was undertaken, involving a systematic literature search, quality appraisal, and synthesis of findings within the socioecological framework.
Findings
Sixteen articles were included. Across the socioecological levels: individual level themes related to midwives’ attitudes and beliefs and midwives’ own body size; interpersonal themes related to communication and relationships; community themes related to the influence of cultural norms; organisation/institutional level themes related to BMI and weight checks, the need for training and education, and the role of healthcare practices and guidelines emerged; finally, at the policy level, system level factors and a weight inclusive approach were identified.
Discussion
This review highlighted that some midwives and student midwives hold negative, stigmatising views towards larger bodied women. Midwives are impacted by their own attitudes and beliefs as well as interpersonal, societal, organisational and system level factors.
Conclusion
Efforts to reduce weight stigma require a multi-level socio-ecological approach, including educational strategies aimed at shifting current and future midwives’ stigmatising attitudes and beliefs towards larger bodied women.
Details
- Title
- Navigating weight stigma: An integrative review of midwives' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about caring for larger-bodied women
- Authors
- Anna Robins - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - MidwiferyRebecca Jenkinson - The University of QueenslandLauren Kearney - The University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Midwifery, Vol.147, pp.1-12
- Publisher
- Churchill Livingstone
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.midw.2025.104444
- ISSN
- 1532-3099; 0266-6138
- PMID
- 40349478
- Copyright note
- © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine - Legacy; School of Health - Midwifery
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991128801602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Nursing
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