Rachel F Rodgers1, Jennifer L O'Flynn2, Althea Bourdeau3, Emily Zimmerman3. 1. APPEAR, Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States; Department of Psychiatric Emergency & Acute Care, Lapeyronie Hospital, CHRU Montpellier, Montpellier, France. Electronic address: r.rodgers@northeastern.edu. 2. APPEAR, Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States. 3. Speech and Neurodevelopment Lab, Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to test a biopsychosocial model of body image, eating, and feeding attitudes among postpartum women. Specifically, the model predicted that desired weight-loss, depressive symptoms, and body surveillance would predict body dissatisfaction and appearance-related barriers to breastfeeding, which in turn would predict maternal disordered eating and breastfeeding self-efficacy. METHODS: Data from 151 women, mean age = 32.77 (4.47) years, who provided complete data in response to an online survey were analyzed. RESULTS: Path analysis revealed that after minor modifications, the biopsychosocial model was a good fit to the data. Desired weight-loss, depressive symptoms, and body surveillance were associated with higher levels of disordered eating and lower levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy directly, as well as indirectly through body dissatisfaction and appearance-related barriers to breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Findings provide support for an integrated biopsychosocial model of body image concerns, and eating and feeding attitudes among postpartum women as well as highlighting the need for additional support around body image, eating, and breastfeeding following childbirth. Our study has clinical implications for healthcare providers working with new mothers and can be used to inform postpartum psychoeducation efforts addressing breastfeeding, weight loss expectations and body image concerns.
BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to test a biopsychosocial model of body image, eating, and feeding attitudes among postpartum women. Specifically, the model predicted that desired weight-loss, depressive symptoms, and body surveillance would predict body dissatisfaction and appearance-related barriers to breastfeeding, which in turn would predict maternal disordered eating and breastfeeding self-efficacy. METHODS: Data from 151 women, mean age = 32.77 (4.47) years, who provided complete data in response to an online survey were analyzed. RESULTS: Path analysis revealed that after minor modifications, the biopsychosocial model was a good fit to the data. Desired weight-loss, depressive symptoms, and body surveillance were associated with higher levels of disordered eating and lower levels of breastfeeding self-efficacy directly, as well as indirectly through body dissatisfaction and appearance-related barriers to breastfeeding. CONCLUSION: Findings provide support for an integrated biopsychosocial model of body image concerns, and eating and feeding attitudes among postpartum women as well as highlighting the need for additional support around body image, eating, and breastfeeding following childbirth. Our study has clinical implications for healthcare providers working with new mothers and can be used to inform postpartum psychoeducation efforts addressing breastfeeding, weight loss expectations and body image concerns.
Authors: Francisco Javier Riesco-González; Irene Antúnez-Calvente; Juana María Vázquez-Lara; Luciano Rodríguez-Díaz; Rocío Palomo-Gómez; Juan Gómez-Salgado; Juan Jesús García-Iglesias; Tesifón Parrón-Carreño; Francisco Javier Fernández-Carrasco Journal: Medicina (Kaunas) Date: 2022-05-31 Impact factor: 2.948
Authors: Shannon D Donofry; Rebecca L Emery; Rachel P Kolko Conlon; Lisa J Germeroth; Bang Wang; Yu Cheng; Michele D Levine Journal: Int J Eat Disord Date: 2020-12-23 Impact factor: 4.861